Kitten sneezes can look and sound adorable. Occasionally, sneezing in kittens is perfectly normal, as kittens can sneeze for the same reasons people do. Cat sneezes can happen because of common causes like a simple itch in the nose caused by dust, smoke or fur particles in the air. Once in a while, an occasional sneeze or even a sneezing fit that happens once in a while from your kitty is nothing to worry about.
But when a kitten is sneezing excessively, it may be a sign of a more serious condition. Kittens who sneeze more during certain times of the year may be experiencing seasonal allergies. If your kitten’s sneezing doesn’t seem to be related to high pollen counts, it’s possible they have another condition, such as an upper respiratory infection, rhinitis, or sinusitis.
If you notice your kitten has been especially congested, use this guide to narrow down the list of culprits.
There are a lot of reasons why your kitty could come down with a case of the sneezes. Some may be completely harmless, such as getting some dust or hair up their nose. But there are other causes of excessive sneezing in kittens which are cause for concern, including allergies, infections, or feline asthma.
Just like their cat parents, our kitties can also be prone to allergies. But unlike their humans, sneezing isn’t the most common symptom when a cat has allergies. More often, cats with allergies have skin irritations or what’s known as atopic dermatitis. This can include hair loss, excessive itching and scratching, and even skin lesions.
When your kitty comes into direct contact with an irritant that triggers an allergic reaction, their immune system releases histamine, which in turn causes their skin to become irritated. Although skin issues are the most common symptom when it comes to kitten allergies, they may also sneeze, wheeze, cough, or have watery eyes. Other symptoms of allergies in cats include:
Allergies in kittens can be caused by three main sources:
A feline upper respiratory infection (Trusted Source) (also known as a URI) is an infection caused by one or more viral or bacterial agents. It often mimics symptoms of a common cold or flu in humans and can be extremely contagious among felines. Symptoms include:
These types of viral or bacterial infections often spread in animal shelters and multi-cat households and can last anywhere from one to three weeks.
The good news is that many of these infections are mild cases and will usually resolve on their own, though some sick cats may require veterinary attention to treat more severe cases, and others may be prone to URIs their entire life. They’re more common among kittens and elderly cats, as well as immuno-compromised and unvaccinated felines. It’s very important to make sure your kitten is vaccinated to prevent them from contracting or spreading illness.
Rhinitis refers to the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the lining of the sinuses. When these occur together, it’s known as rhinosinusitis (Trusted Source) .
These conditions can happen on their own or can be caused by an existing upper respiratory infection. Rhinosinusitis is most commonly caused by a viral infection and presents with symptoms (Trusted Source) like nasal discharge, sneezing, pawing at the face, snoring, and open-mouth or labored breathing.
Your kitten’s sneezing could be a result of feline asthma, which is most commonly caused by an allergic reaction . More common among cats averaging 4-5 years, feline asthma symptoms include some sneezing, open-mouthed and labored breathing, coughing, as well as vomiting. When a kitten is having an asthma attack (Trusted Source), you may notice they will hunch and extend the neck forward. However, this posture is also a sign of more harmless issues, like coughing up a hairball or reverse sneezing. A cat parent who notices their kitten experiencing these symptoms should make an appointment with their veterinarian to determine the true cause.
Just like humans, a kitten may inhale blades of grass or other foreign objects, causing them to sneeze. Outdoor kittens are especially prone to sneezing due to foreign objects, since they are exposed to the elements more often. Fur, dust particles or another object that gets stuck up a cat’s nose will cause them to sneeze in order to expel the object. Kittens who can’t get the object out of their nose by sneezing it out may develop an infection if the object isn’t removed.
Like most pets, kittens may experience mild side effects after receiving a core vaccine. Sneezing is not a typical reaction to the feline vaccinations your kitten receives from their veterinarian. Common vaccine reactions include mild coughing, discomfort at the vaccination site, mild fever, as well as decreased appetite and activity. Life-threatening side effects, including allergic reactions, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, difficulty breathing, hives, or persistent swelling, are less common but may occur.
Your veterinarian will likely diagnose your kitten based on characteristic clinical signs. In more serious cases, they’ll administer testing through X-rays, a CT or MRI scan, blood tests, or bacteria culture and sensitivity testing. They will then recommend one or more of the following treatment options to help keep illness at bay and clear up your pet’s nasal passages:
Besides the treatment options above, your veterinarian may recommend some environmental changes to help your sneezy kitten feel better.
The bacteria and viruses that lead to the most common respiratory infections in kittens are highly contagious and often unavoidable, but here are a few vet-approved precautions you can take to reduce the severity of infection:
The following symptoms are not necessarily just associated with respiratory upset. However, they might indicate a more serious health problem requiring immediate veterinary attention.
🚨 A general rule of thumb: Excessive sneezing in kittens and elderly cats almost always requires veterinary attention.
👉 Many sick visits to your veterinarian are covered by pet insurance. It’s recommended to get this early on to better help against future costs.
Your kitten’s sneezing may be a result of a respiratory infection, sensitivity to certain scents, or allergen. But persistent sneezing can also indicate a more serious illness, so visit your vet if you’re unsure of the cause.
The best thing you can do to your home environment to help clear your kitten’s nasal passages is to keep it clean and humid. Scoop and clean their litter box regularly. Also, consider investing in a humidifier, or self-humidify the air with a steamy shower.
If you notice recurring sneezing, decreased appetite, or other symptoms of upper respiratory infection, seek immediate veterinarian care as there may be a more severe underlying cause.
Always ensure your kitten’s vaccinations are up to date. Visit the veterinarian for any necessary medications. And, keep your environment safe and comfortable for your recovering kitty.
