A ginger cat with green eyes called Hope looking into the camera

Why do cats sneeze?

Just like humans, cats occasionally sneeze.

There are many reasons as to why your cat could be sneezing – we've covered them all here.

Note

If your cat is sneezing more than usual and seems unwell, contact your vet for advice. 

Nose tickle

Just like us, cats sometimes just need to sneeze. This is usually caused by dust tickling their nose. If your cat is sneezing because of a nose tickle, the sneezing will only last for a few minutes.

Allergies and irritants

Cats can develop allergies or an irritation in their nose or airways, which can cause them to sneeze. It can also make your cat cough and cause changes in their breathing.

Things that can cause allergies or irritation include:

It's not always clear what is causing your cat's irritation. If you think your cat might have an allergy, speak to your vet for advice.

Important

Contact your vet as an emergency if you're worried about your cat's breathing.

Infection or virus

Respiratory infections, such as cat flu, can be a common cause of sneezing in cats. If your cat has an infection, they may also show signs of:

  • coughing
  • discharge from their eyes
  • discharge from their nose
  • not eating
  • noisy breathing

There are many common infections and viruses that can affect your cat. This includes bacterial infections or cat flu, feline herpes and feline chlamydia. Cats with FIV and FeLV may also be more likely to get respiratory infections.

It's important to have your cat checked by the vet if you think they have an infection, especially if they are not eating or behaving normally.

Note

Cat flu is not normally serious in an otherwise healthy cat, meaning antibiotics are often not necessary.

Something stuck in their nose

On rare occasions, your cat can get a small object stuck in their nose.

An example of this would be a blade of grass getting stuck in the back of your cat’s nose after they've chewed grass. This can cause your cat to sneeze, which tries to remove the object from the nose. You may also see them choking or retching.

Sometimes the object gets stuck and your cat can't sneeze or cough it out. If this is the case, speak to your vet for advice.

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Reviewed

• 30 May 2024

Next review

• 31 May 2027

Approved by
Anna Ewers Clark

Veterinary Surgeon MRCVS