Hi all,

my cat started sneezing yesterday evening quite a bit more than usual. She's still doing it today, although not quite as much- maybe a sneeze every 5 minutes. She's still eating, drinking, pooping and acting normally apart from the sneezing. It looks like something is tickling her nose as she looks just like humans do when they feel a sneeze coming on. As far as I know I haven't changed anything round the house like air freshner and I haven't done any DIY. She's an indoor cat and is the only one so don't think it's anything like cat flu. Also her breathing is normal and there's no discharge from her nose or eyes. One thing I did notice is that she doesn't do it while sleeping, or while stuffing her face.

I'm debating whether to take her to the vets as she gets very stressed out going there. Any one else had a sneezy cat? What was the outcome?

ETA: she's not scratching her face/nose either.

My cats sometimes have an allergy type sneeze. I adopted 2 cats last summer who started sneezing in the car on the way home but the vet said it was probably because they were being exposed to different smells and environments etc. She also said plug in fresheners are renowned for inducing cat sneezes, though I know you said you don't use them (and my cats started their sneezing before they had any exposure to them).

When my cat Bernard stared sneezing quite a bit a few years ago I took him to the vet who diagnosed and treated him for cat flu. He was vaccinated against flu so had picked up a milder virus that caused some mild flu symptoms.

Sneezing can be distressing for the cat and for you. Even if it's just an allergy the vet can give an anti inflammatory injection and some medicine (I used a syringe) to help reduce the frequency and severity of the sneezing.

Best to call your vet and ask whether you need to take puss in as she is nervous. Mine is quite good at giving advice on the phone.

Thanks for your replies.

I've spoken to a vet at my practice. She said it could be anything, from something stuck up there to allergies to an infection. If she's no better tomorrow or worse then they'll have a look at her. (Hmm- if she starts to look/act ill she'll be up there tonight!). Like I said, she's still eating and acting normally for her so not too worried yet. No sneeze for 20 mins now. She's asleep on the sofa.

Just got back from taking my cat to the vet with the exact same thing! She is eating/drinking normally and bouncing round, so it's a bit odd. The vet thinks it's an upper respiratory tract infection. Hopefully the anti-inflammatory and antibiotic injections (I can't get tablets down her) will do the trick. Hope your kitty is soon better.

Well, she`s no better today. The sneezing has stopped, but she sounds like she has a sore throat. She`s been like this before, so good call Meroney, i think its a respiratory tract infection, just last time there was no sneezing. Off to the vets soon, if I can catch her-hope its not pills as the chance of me surviving with any skin are slim

Hope your cat is doing well today.
Last edited by sesmo : 24-01-2012 at 16:43

My kitty is a little better today thanks - sneezing a little but far less than yesterday/last night and no nose rubbing. I opted for the injection as I know I can't get pills down her. Have ultimately ended up taking her for 2 as they only last about 3 days, which unfortunately isn't long enough to knock the infection on the head! Hope your kitty is soon on the mend too - without too much cost to the purse or skin!!!

Back from the vets- upper respiratory tract infection. She's had a long lasting antibiotic jab, the vet said it should last 12-14 days! Didn't know they could last for so long. No skin lost either, she's def not a well cat. Unfortunately she saw the vet she bit last time she was there

Since we've come home she's seemed a bit perkier. Think that might be relief from coming home from the vets!

Thanks everyone.

Can you not put her pills in her food? That's what we do for our cat and there's never been a problem

My Tabitha would eat only the bits of food with no pills mixed up in it. Even the vets had trouble medicating my Tabitha. They frequently used to give up trying to worm her after several failed attempts. When she was being treated for her cancer last year they told me that they knew she was deteriorating when she let them medicate her. She was labelled a 'feisty' cat. However, she was the sweetest cuddliest little cat when things were going her way but just would not tolerate any unwanted invasion on her personal space.

I always chose to take her to the vets for antibiotic injections, even though it could be a struggle to get her into her cat basket. When she was being treated for a wound infection the antibiotic needed to be injected every 48 hours but the antibiotic she was given last year for her cat flu was much longer lasting.

Giving her pills just gets her stressed and me injured- thats doing it trying to get a pill in her. Plus there's only me to do it at the moment. Putting it in her food sometimes works, but more often than not she'll eat round it. Much easier and less stressful for her to have a jab. I bless the person who came up with spot on treaments She's not as bad as one of my parents cats. Give her 5 identical pieces of chicken, but with a pill inside one of them. She always leaves the one with the pill.

Marella, I know what you mean about unwanted personal space invasion. I went up to the vets tonight in a manky old fleece thats really thick- cos her claws won't go through it. I knew they'd be taking her temperature so wanted to be prepared!

You can ask for one of the nurses to hold your cat at the vets. They are very good at doing it, usually, and have very thick gauntlets to protect their hands and arms!

BIB- I'd love a pair of those for the times when you have to give a pill. My horrible old fleece is great but it's scruffy. To be honest, I prefer holding her myself. She doesn't struggle as much and doesn't get as stressed.

The cat seems better today. Much more perky and alert. Still not back to her usual self but I think she's getting there. I'm having to take her to my parents for them to look after her as I have to go away for the night with work tomorrow and can't get out of it. She's been there loads before and loves my Dad so she'll be ok. Fortunately, they're experienced when it comes to cats.