Why is your cat sneezing?
Cats have a particularly sensitive nose and can smell three times better than humans. So it's no wonder that they react much more sensitively to certain smells. So if your cat sneezes more often, that's no reason to worry at first. Maybe a dust particle or an unfamiliar scent is tickling her nose.
Perfumes, cleaning agents, deodorant or air fresheners
You’ve put on your favorite perfume again and your cat sniffs curiously, accompanied by several sneezes? Don’t worry, that’s not a sign that you don’t smell wonderful. Certain products like perfumes or cleaning agents smell especially strong to our cats and irritate the mucous membranes in their nose. A little sneezing fit can bring relief and is completely normal.
If you're unsure why your cat is sneezing, it's best to visit a veterinarian.
Dry heating air
Just like us humans, dry heating air can also be responsible for your cat sneezing now and then. Especially during the winter months we like to turn up the heat, which makes the air in the room quite dry. If the air is too dry, the nasal mucous membranes produce more moisture. The nose then tries to get rid of the excess secretion by sneezing vigorously.
House dust or mites
You just finished vacuuming and your cat can’t stop sneezing? Well, your feline friend not only moves much closer to the ground than you do, her nose is also much more sensitive and easily reacts to dust. Swirling dust particles tickle her nose and make her have to sneeze. To help her out, you can open a window or put her in another room while you vacuum.
Allergies to grasses or pollen can be a reason for frequent sneezing.
Allergies
If your cat is sneezing unusually often and you can’t quite tell whether it’s due to the new perfume, the heating air, or the dust, an allergy could also be the cause. Just like us two-legged friends, our four-legged friends can also develop allergies to things like house dust or grasses. If that’s the case, the immune system responds with an exaggerated defense reaction (e.g. sneezing) to certain harmless environmental substances. Other signs of an allergy can be itchiness as well as skin irritation, shortness of breath, and increased mouth breathing.
If you suspect an allergy, you should consult your veterinarian. They can tell you exactly whether your cat has an allergy and initiate appropriate treatment.
A →healthy and high-quality cat food is the optimal foundation for a healthy cat life. Take a look at the ingredients of the cat food your darling is getting. If you see unidentifiable terms and ingredients like sugar, grains, flavorings or colorants, you should consider switching to another food.
Healthy at Every Age: Our Cat Food for 7 Cat Lives
Colds or infections
You should also consider whether your cat might have a cold. Especially if none of the reasons mentioned above apply. Just like us, your cat can catch a cold. In addition to sneezing, this can also be accompanied by a runny nose or difficulty swallowing. If your kitty is otherwise healthy and fit, the cold usually goes away on its own after a few days. By the way, sneezing is rarely an indication of a →Covid-19 infection in your cat.
When is it time to see the vet? If the symptoms persist or get worse, you should play it safe and see your veterinarian.
Feline upper respiratory infection
Not to be confused with a common cold is what’s known as feline upper respiratory infection. This is a serious illness for your furry friend, which is caused by bacteria or viruses. In addition to sneezing, other signs of feline upper respiratory infection are watery mucus discharge from the nose and eyes as well as a slight redness of the eyes.
If you’re unsure, contact your veterinarian and have your kitty checked out. If feline upper respiratory infection remains untreated for too long, consequences can occur and for →very young cats it can even become life-threatening. With early treatment your cat can, however, become completely healthy again.
Glassy eyes and watery mucus discharge from the nose and eyes are signs of cat flu.
Foreign object in the nose
It’s also possible that a foreign object has gotten stuck in your cat’s nose. That can happen faster than you think. For example, if you give your kitty cat grass or →catnip, a piece of it can get into the nose via the throat. Symptoms of this are sudden sneezing, unilateral nasal discharge, noticeable swallowing and severe restlessness. In such a case, you should as soon as possible go to the vet and have your cat examined.
Home remedies for sneezing in cats
To help your cat, you first need to find out why she’s sneezing so much. If there’s a health issue like an allergy or feline upper respiratory infection, medical treatment is absolutely necessary.
You can also help your cat by trying the following:
Vacuum and mop more often, maybe your cat is reacting to dust particles? When vacuuming, make sure your feline friend is in another room and air out the room well afterwards.
Regularly clean your cat’s face around the nose and eyes with a warm, damp cloth and clean water.
If you have dry heating air, you can set up a humidifier or place a bowl of water under cabinets.
Remove houseplants that could be toxic to your cat.
Wash all textiles such as pillowcases or blankets thoroughly.
