Why Does My Cat Sneeze Multiple Times In A Row?

Imagine this, you are relaxing on your bed scrolling through your phone. Your lovely cat is right beside you giving you company as always. Suddenly they let out several sneezes one after the other.

If it’s just a one-time thing then watching them can be quite amusing. Most of the time there is no reason to worry as it’s normal for humans also to occasionally sneeze in a row. Although, if this occurrence is repeated several times, then this is more than a laughing matter. You have a serious issue on your hands.

The reason which can cause your cat to sneeze multiple times in a row could be as minor as some foreign object getting stuck in their nasal cavity to even having cancer in some extreme cases.

In this article, we will answer all your questions and concerns. So, let’s get started.

What Is Causing My Cat To Sneeze Multiple Times In A Row?

Various factors might be responsible for your cat to sneeze. One of the most common reasons is some unwanted material entering their noses. However, this is not the only reason to blame.

Some reasons are normal and harmless while some are harmful. If you observed your cat only to be sneezing just once or twice at a time then there is no reason for you to worry.

However, if the sneezing is occurring on a repetitive basis then this might be a cause of concern. Many factors could be at play here from infection to something getting stuck in your cat’s nasal cavity

We will address all these issues one by one in this article.

What Are The Causes Of Sneezing Fits In My Cat?

One of the primary causes that your cat is sneezing a lot is infection. Some other causes consist of inhaling irritants such as cigarette smoke, perfumes, cleaning agents, or dust particles.

At first glance, your vet will try to find out the issue with the description of your cat’s symptoms and suggest you several medicines or supplements that can help in treating your cat.

However, in a few cases, the vet may collect a test sample of nasal secretions of your cat, from the back of their nose and throat.

This is done to pinpoint the infection that is responsible for the continuous sneezing of your cat. Followed by the necessary treatment.

What Are The Symptoms Accompanied With My Cat Sneezing?

Symptoms that might accompany your cat alongside sneezing include: –

• Runny eyes
• Fatigue
• Wheezing and coughing
• Having trouble breathing
• Mouth ulcers

These are all the signs that your cat is suffering from cat flu and need to be attended to as soon as possible.

Should You Be Worried If Your Cat Is Sneezing A Lot?

If your cat is sneezing continuously and it has lasted for more than 3 days, then you should book an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Seeing your cat sneezing continuously it is only logical to have some concerns for their health. However, if the sneezing occurs only once or twice a day, then there is nothing you should be worried about.

Although inhalation of unwanted materials and inflammation are the universal reasons for cats sneezing, they are not the only ones.

Causes can range from viral infections to dental diseases. So, consult your vet to get to the bottom of the problem and help your little friend.

Also, check out reasons for Why Is My Pregnant Cat Sneezing So Much?

When Should I Worry About My Cat Sneezing?

 If your cat is sneezing continuously for over 3 days, you might want to start getting worried as this could be a sign of a bigger problem.

The first thing that is needed to be done is to figure out how often you find your cat sneezing. If your cat is sneezing only once or twice at a time, then there is nothing you should be worried about.

However, if this is not the case and you find your cat sneezing over an extended period you must Consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis or follow the steps that are written in the article for best and quick results.

Does My Cat Have Nasal Infection Or Cat Flu?

If you notice your cat sneezing several times in a row every so often this can be occurring due to inflammation also known as cat flu.

Your cat’s nasal cavity might be inflamed due to several different reasons. The most universal and widespread factor is allergies and bacterial infections.

What Are The Infections Causing My Cat to Sneeze?

The most common infections that might be causing your cat to sneeze repeatedly are Feline infectious peritonitis, Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and Chlamydia.

• Feline infectious peritonitis- This infection starts with no visible symptoms or very mild symptoms but over time the symptoms become more severe.
• Feline leukemia- This virus weakens your cat’s immune system severely which can prove to be fatal.
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus- This virus has a tendency of growing slowly and hurting your cat’s immune system. Leaving them defenseless to other infections
• Chlamydia– Also known as conjunctivitis, this infection is caused by a bacterial organism known as Chlamydophila felis. This often produces eye infections resulting in runny eyes.

All these infections are capable of causing your cat to sneeze repeatedly.

In most cases, the cats can be treated at home, with the help of the prescribed medicines and supplements by the vet.

However, in some extreme cases, intensive nursing care is required for the best treatment.

Also, check out Newborn Kitten Sneezing a Lot: Is It Something to Worry About?

How Can I Cure My Cat’s Flu Or Inflammation?

Many anti-inflammatory medicines are readily available in the markets which have shown positive results. You could also provide your cat with anti-inflammatory supplements to give them relief from inflammation.

According to several studies and shreds of evidence inflammation in cats could be cured fairly easily.

Furthermore, you can also use a humidifier. Using a humidifier is a fairly simple yet effective home remedy that you can use to increase the humidity of the room where your cat likes to stay or is usually present.

This will help your cat in decreasing congestion and inflammation which could be present in their nasal cavity.

You can increase the effectiveness of the humidifier by adding drops of essential oils into the water. Lavender oil in diluted form is mostly preferred when dealing with cats.

Just add 5-10 drops of Lavender oil into the water and let that diffuse throughout the day in a mid-sized room. The steam added with essential oils will do wonders.

Is Viral Infection Causing My Cat To Sneeze?

Your cat may be sneezing due to a viral infection. The most prevalent ones are known as Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calicivirus.

• Feline Herpes Virus: Your cat can catch herpes when they are exposed to other cats infected by it. This virus will last for 10-20 days in most cases.  
• Feline Calicivirus: This virus is recognized to be highly communicative. The most common symptom is Mouth ulcers but it can also affect your cat’s respiratory tract or cause pneumonia. 

How To Cure A Cat That Is Suffering From Feline Herpes Virus?

One of the most common and effective ways to treat a cat that is suffering from Feline Herpes Virus is the use of topical ointment or drops for your cat’s eyes.

You can also give your cat a supplement named L-lysine, which will help with the treatment of the Feline Herpes Virus. This supplement helps to boost your cat’s immune system and can be safely consumed for longer periods.

How Can I Cure My Cat Who Is Suffering From Feline Calicivirus?

Unfortunately, there is no treatment to stop Calicivirus. However, the next best thing you can do is offer supportive care for your cat while its immune system fights the virus.

Most cats suffering from Feline Calicivirus can be treated at home, but in some odd cases, they might need intensive nursing care.

Does My Cat Have Something Stuck In Its Nose Causing It To Sneeze?

There is a very high chance of your cat inhaling an unwanted object. This could range from cloth particles and food items when your cat is indoors to small parts of soil and dust when your cat is present outdoors.

Cats tend to sneeze whenever a foreign object enters their nasal cavity as a reflex action to get it out as soon as possible.

In the majority of instances, it would take just one or two quick sneezes from your cat to get the unwanted material out of their noses. However, some objects will not be ejected as smoothly as compared to others.

If the object is not ejected and gets stuck in the nasal cavity of your cat, then they will sneeze continuously in hopes of getting it out in one of those tries.  

If this happens then you need to book an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible, as this could cause unwanted troubles for you and your cat.

The vet will diagnose your cat and the treatment will start accordingly, providing much relief to your cat.

What Should I Do If Something Is Stuck In My Cat’s Nose?

If you think that there is some sought of unwanted material present in the nose of your cat, the best action would be to visit a veterinarian. A vet can further investigate the issue by the process of rhinoscopy.

During the process of rhinoscopy, your cat is anesthetized which is followed by inserting a micro camera into its nose.

Once your vet is able to find the source of the hindrance, he will remove the foreign object as soon as possible. Giving your cat a much-deserved relief.    

Other Causes Of Your Cat Sneezing

Continuous sneezing of cats could be associated with various reasons. One such factor of your cat’s continuous sneezing could be receiving a dose of intranasal vaccine. This type of sneezing will only last for several days.

Sneezing in cats could also be a sign of cancer. However, this is only applicable in extremely extraordinary cases.  

When Should I Consult The Vet For My Sneezing Cat?

The best course of action is to call your vet immediately if the sneezing in your cat is occurring continuously, your cat sneezes blood, or is displaying symptoms such as runny eyes, fatigue, wheezing, or coughing.

These are all signs of illness that need medical attention as soon as possible. You need to get your cat diagnosed as soon as possible to get to the root of the problem and cure it once and for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

There are many why reasons your cat might be sneezing, all ranging from just minor and not harmful ones to some that are harmful and that can even cause damage to your cat.

But luckily continuous sneezing from your cat is often treated easily. So, there is no need to panic if you find your cat sneezing one odd day.

Consult your vet and your cat should be just fine in a few days, allowing you to return to your bed scrolling your phone with your little furry friend right beside you as always.

If you have any queries feel free to ask them in the comment section.

References

• https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/our-research/animal-health-articles-and-helpful-links/feline-calicivirus
• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chlamydial-conjunctivitis-in-cats
• https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/cat-flu