Why Does My Cat Sneeze? – When to become concerned
Why Does My Cat Sneeze? – When to become concerned _Some tips from your Indian Trail Pet Sitter-Love and Kisses Pet Sitting
When we care for a pet, we often worry when they become ill, or when they just don’t seem like their normal happy selves. Among the many common problems that cats can have, is that of sneezing, with many cat owners wondering why their cat has suddenly started to sneeze – a lot. What’s important to remember here, is that cats can sneeze for a whole variety of reasons. Most of which are actually harmless. However, it is important to know when to become concerned and what symptoms you need to look out for, that accompany the sneeze.
Firstly, more often than not, sneezing is harmless. After all we all sneeze when we have a slight cold, or something tickles our nose, and cats are just the same. One thing to look out for though is that if a cat repeatedly sneezes, and there are no other symptoms, is that your cat could have an allergy. This could be an allergy to dust mites, household cleaners, pollen and cigarette smoke. If they seem to have watery eyes at the same time, then it Is best to get them checked out for medication in case of an allergy. You can also help by finding the cause and trying to eliminate it, if you can.
If you have an older cat, and the sneezing is coupled with bad breath, then this could be a sign that your cat has a dental infection or abscess. Again, it is best to get them checked out by a vet, in case they need a course of antibiotics.
The time to become concerned is when your cat exhibits prolonged sneezing that is coupled with nasal discharge. When a cat has been sneezing for a long time, and you observe other symptoms such as discharge from the nose and eyes, general lethargy, a fever, dehydration, repetitive coughing and a reduced appetite, then this could be a sign that your cat has an upper respiratory infection or a cold. This is the time when you should go to your local vet to get things checked out. An upper respiratory infection in a cat is a fairly serious condition and requires medical attention. It is very much like the Influenza virus that we can get. For kittens and elderly cats, if not treated, then the condition can be fatal.
Similar symptoms, that also include repeated sneezing, could be indicative of other problems such as a foreign object being caught in the cat’s skin. Polyps can also cause similar symptoms. It is also not unknown for cats to get fungal infections, such as aspergillis, that presents in the very same way as colds with repetitive sneezing.
The thing to be aware of is that many things can be responsible for making your cat sneeze. You just need to be vigilant and look out for additional symptoms, especially discharge from the eyes and a loss of appetite. Remember though, that most of the time your cat is just reacting to the dust or other allergens in the atmosphere, and the sneezing should quickly pass. If you are ever in any doubt though, just make a call to your local vet. If your gut is telling you that something is wrong, it’s always best to get it checked out.