Cat Sneezing: Allergy, Respiratory Infection, or Something Else?

Key points

• May require diagnosis by a veterinarian
• May be treatable at home, or may need veterinary treatment
• Transmission is possible between animals, and in rare cases from animals to people
• May resolve within days or weeks, or may be a lifelong condition
• Prevention is possible for some causes
• Diagnosis may require a physical examination, lab tests, x-rays, endoscopy, and a CT scan

Common in:

Cats of all ages and breeds.

Symptoms and types:

It is normal for our cats to sneeze occasionally and can be adorable when they do! It is rare for the cause of sneezing to be life-threatening, but many will lead to your cat feeling uncomfortable or unwell, so it is important to seek veterinary advice. 

If your cat has been sneezing daily for more than a week, then you should see your veterinarian for a check-up.

Understanding the diagnostics

If your cat is sneezing regularly, your veterinarian will examine them. Based on their findings, and your description of their symptoms at home, they may recommend further tests. These might include:

Blood tests

Your vet may recommend running some blood tests to check your cat’s overall health, particularly if they are older or very sick. They may also recommend specific blood tests to look for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), as these can both suppress the immune system and cause infections.

Swabs

If they suspect an infection, your vet may take a swab from your cat’s nose, eyes, or mouth. Depending on the type of swab, these may test for viruses (such as Herpesvirus or Calicivirus) or bacteria (such as Chlamydophila felis or Mycoplasma felis).

Examination under Anesthetic

It is not possible to look inside the nose, or down the back of the throat, while your cat is awake. Your veterinarian may therefore recommend giving them a light general anesthetic so they can look down the back of the throat, or inside the nose. This may allow them to spot issues such as polyps or foreign bodies (often grass or sticks). However, not all issues are visible when examining without extra equipment.

X-Rays

Your veterinarian may recommend taking x-rays of your cat’s nose and sinuses. This needs to be done while they are under general anesthetic, as it often requires an x-ray plate to be placed within the mouth, which cats will not allow while they are awake. X-rays can spot issues such as fluid within the sinuses, damage to the bones, or masses within the nose.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy involves passing a flexible camera into the nose, either through the nostril or from the back of the throat. This allows your vet to see areas of the nose that they cannot otherwise see, and can spot issues such as foreign bodies, polyps, or tumors. Sometimes it will also allow a biopsy to be taken.

CT Scan

A CT scan uses multiple x-rays to create a 3-D picture of your cat’s head. It gives a lot more detail than x-rays and can spot smaller issues. However, it is more expensive than x-rays.

Learning About The Causes

Many different things can cause cats to sneeze.

Infections

Several different types of infection can cause sneezing in cats. 

• Viral infections such as Herpesvirus and Calicivirus.
• Bacterial infections such as Chlamydophila Felis and Mycoplasma Felis.
• Fungal infections (rare) such as Aspergillosis or Cryptococcosis.
• Mixed infections where both bacteria and viruses are present.
• Secondary infections where there is another issue present (such as a foreign body, polyp, or tumor) that causes overgrowth of the normal bacteria within the nose.

Allergies

Cats can sneeze due to allergies, like hay fever in humans. Common allergens include:

• Pollens
• Dust Mites
• Mold spores

Irritants

Cats can also sneeze due to irritating chemicals in the air. These include:

• Cigarette smoke
• Air fresheners, incense, or diffusers
• Air pollution

Foreign Bodies

Sneezing can be caused by an object stuck up your cat’s nose. Common examples include pieces of plant such as grass blades or twigs.

Polyps

Polyps are benign (non-cancerous) growths that can happen in the nose, throat, or ears of cats. It is not yet clear why they grow, but is thought to be associated with long-term inflammation.

Tumors

It is rare for sneezing to be caused by a tumor, but it is more common in older cats who have never previously had an issue with sneezing. The most common tumors are Lymphomas and Nasal Adenocarcinomas.

Indoor cats can still catch some viruses from other cats if they are on your clothes or footwear.

Best treatment options

Infections

Mild infections may get better by themselves, much like a cold in humans. More serious infections may need treatment with antibiotics, antivirals (for Herpesvirus), or anti-fungal medication.

Allergies

There are a variety of different medications that can help to treat the symptoms of allergies in cats, including antihistamines, steroids, and inhalers. 

It is also important to try and remove the cause of the allergy – for example, regular hoovering and sprays to control dust mites, or cleaning and dehumidifying to reduce mold spores.

Irritants

If your cat is sneezing regularly, you should remove any irritants from the house, as this may ease their symptoms.

Foreign Bodies

Objects in the nose must be removed, normally under general anesthetic. Sometimes your veterinarian will need a fiberoptic camera (endoscopy) to find the object.

Polyps

Polyps must be surgically removed under general anesthetic. There are several different techniques available, but there is a risk with all of them that the polyp may regrow afterwards.

Tumors

Tumors in the nose may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, depending on the type and location. This is best done by a specialist veterinary oncologist.

Home remedies and their effectiveness

If your cat starts sneezing at home, consider trying to remove anything that might be irritating them, like air fresheners or cigarette smoke. Vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning any damp areas for mold may also be helpful.

You may see L-lysine supplements that are marketed to help cats with Herpesvirus infections. However, studies suggest that this is not effective.

When to see a vet

An occasional sneeze can be normal. However, you should see a veterinarian if your cat is:

• Sneezing every day 
• Suddenly sneezing a lot
• Sneezing, and unwell in themselves. 

Other symptoms that may be seen alongside sneezing include:

• Discharge from the nose
• Swelling or discharge around the eyes
• Red, inflamed gums
• Quietness
• Lack of appetite
• Coughing
• Blood from the nose
• Increased effort breathing.

If your cat is sneezing, and is also showing any of these other symptoms, then you should see your veterinarian straight away.