It can certainly be concerning when your beloved feline starts sneezing. While it’s normal for cats to sneeze occasionally, persistent or excessive sneezing can indicate a health issue. To help you better understand why your cat is sneezing and what you can do about it, let’s take a closer look at what could be causing the problem and dive into some potential solutions.
Causes of Cat Sneezing
When it comes to uncovering the cause of your cat’s sneezing, there are a few potential causes that you should be aware of. The most common reasons cats may start sneezing include allergies, infections, irritants, and foreign objects lodged in the nose or throat of your pet. Let’s explore each one further.
Allergies: Just like humans, cats can suffer from allergies that cause them to sneeze more frequently than usual. Allergens such as dust mites and pollen are two common triggers that may cause an allergic reaction in cats, resulting in them needing to expel the irritant through sneezing. If you suspect that allergies are the culprit behind your cat’s increased number of sneezes, then try reducing their exposure to the allergen by cleaning their environment more often or changing their diet if needed.
Infections: Cats may also start sneezing due to upper respiratory viruses, bacterial infections, or fungi. If this is the case, your cat might also have other signs, such as fever, nasal discharge, and increased sneezes, so contact your vet for diagnosis and treatment advice if needed.
Irritants: Inhaling things like smoke or harsh chemicals can irritate, leading to a bout of coughing or even excessive sneezing in cats too, so if you suspect this is causing your pet’s increased number of sneezes then try avoiding these irritants as much as possible and get some fresh air into your home by opening up windows when possible too.
Foreign Objects: It’s also possible for small items, such as grass seeds or pieces of food/toys, to get stuck in a cat’s nose, which leads to frequent bouts of coughing or even excessive amounts of snuffling followed by bouts of loud (and sometimes startling!) episodes of sudden rapid-fire type bursts which we often refer to as “sneezes”! If this is the case, take your cat for an examination with their vet, who can safely remove any foreign body using specialist equipment such as endoscopes.
Diagnosis & Treatment Options
A definite diagnosis is essential before commencing any treatment plan, so you must book an appointment with your vet, who will perform a physical examination on your pet, which might include taking X-rays/blood tests/urine samples to rule out any underlying medical issues before prescribing medications if needed (or recommending lifestyle changes depending on what has been found). Your vet may also suggest running allergy tests too if they think this could be playing a role in causing the increased amount of snuffling/coughing/sneezing episodes to identify any potential allergens that need avoiding where possible (although bear in mind that not all allergens can realistically be avoided!).
Home Remedies For Sneezy Kitties
In some cases, simple home remedies may help reduce episodes related to cat snuffles/coughs/sneezes too! Here are just a few examples:-
Humidifier: Keeping humidity levels high inside our homes can help reduce symptoms associated with respiratory problems, so investing in an appropriate humidifier could make all the difference when it comes to helping keep our furry friends comfortable enough when they suffer from conditions like rhinitis (inflammation inside their noses).
Steam Therapy: Taking the kitty into the bathroom while running hot water (either by filling up a bathtub full OR simply switching on hot taps while keeping the door closed!) releases steam into the air, which helps thin out mucus buildup inside the noses providing relief from congestion-related symptoms including ’bouts of rapid-fire type ‘sneezes!’
Nutritional Supplements: Certain nutrients found within foods such as fish oil – rich sources include sardines – have been found helpful for those suffering from allergic reactions due its anti-inflammatory properties, so feeding kitty foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids could make all different depending on what has been causing her ‘fits of ‘catty-like’ type ‘rapid fire’ ‘sniffles!’
When To See A Vet?
While some cases do resolve themselves without medical intervention, there are times when visiting vets becomes necessary, especially if episodes don’t seem to stop OR become increasingly frequent, OR are associated with nasal discharge & breathing difficulties. In these situations, always contact vets immediately, who will perform examinations & prescribe medications where appropriate but always discuss pros & cons thoroughly before agreeing! Also, remember, NEVER administer human medications unless instructed otherwise by vets since doses suitable for humans won’t necessarily work the same way on pets!
Conclusion
When it comes down to understanding why cats start ‘rapid firing’ type ‘sniffles’ – aka “Snezes!” –& deciding the best course of action, there is lots to consider. Still, hopefully, the article provided some insight into different possibilities available, along with practical tips to help keep kitties healthy and happy! Last but not least, always speak to vets regarding diagnosis & treatment plans since they can provide professional advice tailored to individual needs based upon comprehensive examination findings ensuring the correct course of action taken and ensuring health safety!