Feline Allergies and Sneezing

Cats can suffer from a variety of allergies, including inhalant, contact and food allergies. If your cat suffers from frequent bouts of sneezing or wheezing, it may suffer from an inhalant allergy to something in the air, according to VetInfo.com. To properly diagnose your cat with an allergy, take it to a veterinarian, so you can treat the condition and provide the cat with relief.

  1. Sneezing

    • If a cat gets irritating material in its nasal cavity, it causes the upper airways to discharge the material, resulting in a sneeze. The irritation of the nerve endings, located in the mucous membrane lining the nose, acts as the trigger to the sneeze. While your cat may normally experience occasional sneezing -- chronic sneezing can indicate a more serious problem -- including seasonal feline allergies. A sneezing cat may also suffer from a respiratory infection, dental disease, fungal infection, or it may have inhaled foreign bodies. This can lead to chronic problems of the upper airways.

    Inhalant Allergies

    • A cat with inhalant allergies has an overly sensitive immune system that reacts to everyday substances by identifying them as something dangerous. When the body tries to rid itself of the substance, called an allergen, it leads to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing or snoring. If you keep your cat outdoors the majority of the time, it is more heavily, exposed to possible allergens such as pollen, grasses, weeds, mold, mildew and dust than an indoor cat. Exposure to these outdoor substances will cause an allergic reaction in a cat sensitive to them.

    Diagnosis

    • Take your cat to a veterinarian if you see it sneezing excessively, to diagnose its condition. The veterinarian will physically examine the cat for signs of illness and ask you questions about its environment. Tell the doctor what kinds of chemicals you have used in your home, such as perfumes, air fresheners or cleaners, and let him know if anyone in your house smokes cigarettes, all of which can contribute to feline inhalant allergies. The veterinarian will also perform blood tests or skin tests to determine the cause of the feline allergies and rule out a more serious condition.

    Treatment

    • To alleviate your cat's sneezing, keep the cat indoors to reduce its exposure to pollen and other environmental allergies. Bathe the cat one to two times per week to remove dust and pollen from its coat, using a moisturizing shampoo, so you don't dry out its skin. Wash the cat's bedding once each week and vacuum twice per week, to reduce its exposure to dust, recommends the ASPCA. Use dust-free, unscented litter, keep cigarette smoke away from the cat and avoid the use of air fresheners. Control your cat's allergies with the use of antihistamines or corticosteroids under the supervision of a veterinarian.