Why Is My Cat Sneezing? Causes, Reverse Sneezes and When to See a Vet

An occasional sneeze is as normal for a cat as it is for you. Dust, a whiff of perfume or a sniff of pepper can set one off, and a cat that sneezes once or twice and carries on happily is almost never a cause for concern. Repeated sneezing is different. It is the nose telling you that something is irritating or inflaming it, and working out what is happening early makes treatment easier.

Why Cats Sneeze

A sneeze is a reflex that blasts air out of the nose to clear irritants. In cats the most common triggers fall into a handful of groups:

• Viral infections. Feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus cause most cases of "cat flu" and are responsible for the large majority of upper respiratory infections. Sneezing usually comes with watery eyes, nasal discharge, and sometimes a lowered appetite.
• Bacterial infections. Bacteria such as Bordetella, Chlamydia felis and Mycoplasma can cause illness on their own or follow a viral infection. Thick yellow or green discharge often points this way.
• Irritants. Dusty or perfumed litter, aerosol sprays, smoke, scented candles and cleaning products can all trigger sneezing fits.
• Allergies. Pollen, mould and dust mites may cause sneezing, sometimes alongside itchy skin or eyes.
• Foreign material. A blade of grass or plant seed can lodge in the nose or the back of the throat. This usually shows as sudden, violent sneezing, often with pawing at the face and discharge from one nostril only.
• Dental disease. The roots of the upper teeth sit very close to the nasal passages, so an infected tooth can inflame the nose.
• Nasal polyps, chronic rhinitis or tumours. These are less common and more likely in long-running or one-sided problems.

Kittens and Shelter Cats

Upper respiratory infections are especially common in kittens and in cats from shelters, where stress and close contact help viruses to spread. Most mild cases settle in one to three weeks with rest, good food and supportive care. Herpesvirus, however, stays in the body for life and can flare up when a cat is stressed, so a rescue cat may sneeze again during a move, a new pet arriving or a trip to the boarding cattery.

Watch this: Is It Cat Flu?

This vet-made video walks through the typical signs of a sneezing cat with a runny nose and eyes.

A vet explains why a cat might sneeze with a snotty nose and watery eyes.

Sneezing or Reverse Sneezing?

Reverse sneezing, where a cat pulls air in sharply through the nose with a snorting or honking sound, is far more often described in dogs but it does occur in cats. Coughing, hiccups and the wheeze of asthma can also be mistaken for sneezing. If you can, film the episode on your phone. Seeing the video is often more helpful to a vet than a description, because it shows whether the noise is a sneeze, a cough or laboured breathing.

Check Your Cat's Breathing

Sneezing alone is not an emergency, but trouble breathing is. Cats are nose breathers by preference, and a blocked nose can make some of them stop eating because they cannot smell their food. Counting the breaths of a resting cat is a simple home check, and this video shows how.

How to count your cat's resting breathing rate and spot signs of distress.

What You Can Do at Home

• Look for triggers. Switch to a low-dust, unscented litter and avoid sprays, incense and plug-in fragrances near your cat.
• Keep the face clean. Wipe discharge from the eyes and nose gently with warm damp cotton wool, using a fresh piece for each eye.
• Add steam. Sitting with your cat in a steamy bathroom for ten minutes can loosen congestion. Never leave the cat unattended.
• Tempt a poor appetite. Warm wet food gives off a stronger smell. A cat that has stopped eating for a day needs a vet, because fasting can lead to liver problems.
• Protect other cats. Infectious sneezers should be kept away from other cats and their bowls and bedding washed.
• Do not give human medicine. Many decongestants and painkillers are toxic to cats.

When to See the Vet

Book an appointment if sneezing lasts more than a few days or keeps returning. Go sooner if you notice:

• Thick yellow or green discharge, or blood from the nose.
• Discharge from only one nostril, or constant pawing at the face.
• Eye ulcers, squinting or a swollen face.
• Loss of appetite, lethargy or fever.
• Open-mouth breathing, noisy or laboured breathing, or blue-tinged gums, which is an emergency.

Your vet may examine the mouth and eyes, take swabs, check for dental disease, or in stubborn cases recommend imaging or a look inside the nose under anaesthetic. Treatment depends on the cause and can include antibiotics for bacterial infection, eye medication, anti-viral drugs, dental work or removal of a foreign body.

Prevention

Keep your cat's vaccinations current, since the core vaccine protects against herpesvirus and calicivirus. It does not always stop infection, but it usually makes the illness milder. Reduce stress, keep the home clean and well-ventilated, and quarantine new cats for a week or two before introductions.

The Short Version

1. An odd sneeze is normal; repeated sneezing is not.
2. Viral infections, irritants, allergies, foreign material and dental disease are the usual culprits.
3. Remove household irritants and keep the face clean.
4. See a vet for sneezing beyond a few days, coloured discharge, poor appetite or any trouble breathing.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your cat, contact your vet.