Why Is My Cat Sneezing Frequently?

Cats may sneeze frequently for many reasons, ranging from fairly minor issues to extremely serious medical conditions. A process of elimination can help you to determine whether you need to call and schedule an appointment with a veterinarian or whether other measures may help when your cat begins to sneeze a lot.

  1. Products

    • Like humans, cats can be affected by products that may cause sneezing, such as cleaning products, cigarette smoke, air fresheners, cat litter dust, insecticide sprays and scented products such as perfumes or cologne. All of these may cause a cat to sneeze frequently. Take a moment and consider whether any of these are a part of your cat's environment. Try eliminating the potential causes, and see if your cat's sneezing goes away.

    Allergies

    • Allergies to mold, pollen and even food can cause some cats to sneeze. Remove any potential allergenic source and see if your cat stops sneezing. For instance, microscopic mold spores can irritate a cat's nasal passages and cause sneezing. If your cat is hanging out in a moldy area, such as a basement or garage, limit its access to the area for a while and see if the sneezing stops. Other signs that may accompany sneezing caused by allergies are scratching, hair loss, rubbing the face on sharp edges or fabric or pawing at the face and licking the paws.

    Foreign Bodies

    • Your cat may have inhaled an irritant, such as grasses or weeds, while exploring the environment. Foreign bodies may lodge in your cat's nasal passages and cause sneezing. Nasal discharge may also be present in this case, and the cat may paw at its nose after the foreign body is initially inhaled.

    Dental Issues

    • Dental problems can sometimes cause sneezing in cats. An abscessed upper tooth, for instance, can affect the nasal passage and cause the cat to sneeze. Other symptoms may be redness or swelling of the gums, difficultly chewing dry food, and any sign of tooth pain in the cat, such as flinching when the tooth is touched. Make an appointment with a veterinarian if you see any signs of dental problems in your cat.

    Upper Respiratory Infections

    • If the sneezing is accompanied by symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, such as discharge in the eyes, coughing, excessive mucus or eye swelling, make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. Upper respiratory infections are caused by a virus or bacteria. They are often contagious, and can become quite serious if left untreated.