Allergic Reactions
Sneezing in cats most often occurs due to allergies developed in reaction to different materials and substances in the environment. In addition to sneezing, an allergic cat may also display:
- nasal and ocular discharges
- coughing
- redness of skin
- itchiness
Watch your pet and determine what causes the allergic reaction; the factors may range from the spring pollens to the cat's litter box.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections in cats most often affect the upper respiratory tract only and will cause symptoms such as
- sneezing
- fever
- nasal and ocular discharges
- trouble breathing
- coughing (rare)
The respiratory infections have different sources including:
- The Parainfluenza virus
- The adeno virus 1 or 2
- Bordetella
The infections may also be caused by fungi.
Respiratory infections can be treated with antibiotics and you should get treatment to avoid complications that may involve the cat's sinuses or the lungs.
Dental Abscesses or Infections
Dental infections or dental abscesses may often cause sneezing. Typically, over 70% of cats over the age of 3 are affected by dental problems, due to a lack of proper dental hygiene.
Check the mouth of your pet with a flashlight; you may notice the abscessed tooth and the lump (the abscess) or you may see that there is a damaged tooth. You will also notice that the cat's breath is worse than usual.
The tooth should be extracted. However, while the tooth is still abscessed, the cat requires antibiotic treatment until the infection is cured and only after this can the tooth be removed.
Ingestion of Objects
The ingestion of an object that remains in the cat's throat will cause sneezing and the cat will try to eliminate the object by sending out air and sneezing.
The ingested object may be visible and may be extracted to relieve the discomfort and the pain. However, it may happen that the cat requires surgery, as the object may be stuck in the respiratory tract.
Tumors in the Respiratory Tract
The presence of tumors in the respiratory tract may cause sneezing; the tumors may be benign or malignant and may or may not be visible.
The tumors may bleed and this will result in sneezing of blood. Blood when sneezing is always an alarming sign, so you need to get veterinary help.
Cold Environment
Cats that are kept in a cold environment may not be able to keep up the pace and keep warm. If you can't find other reasons why your cat may be sneezing, try adding a few blankets or increase the temperature by a few degrees.