Sneezing in cats can be caused by something as simple as an irritant like an errant hair tickling their nose or as complex as an allergy or a serious illness. While continuous sneezing is cause for a trip to the vet, there are some ways to "troubleshoot" your sneezing cat before you stuff him in the cat carrier and make him ride, complaining loudly, all the way to the doctor's office.
Instructions
1. Blow your cat's nose. To clear any dust or particulate matter from the cats nose, hold it's head gently in your hands and give the nose a puff or two of air from your mouth. Dust or any particulate problem should be dislodged in this fashion, and that could be all your cat needed.
2. Check for errant whiskers. Gently grasp her head and check for a piece of whisker or hair that has become lodged in or around the nose. A hair tickle on a cat works the same way as it does on a human, and it will cause her to sneeze the exact same way.
3. Monitor the sneezing to see if it happens indoors, outdoors or both. Cats, like humans, can develop allergies. During the first couple of months in spring cats can start sneezing. You may notice more sneezing in this scenario if your cat gets near a door or has been outside, and the sneezing is worse. If this is the case, then keep him indoors during his allergy season.
4. Remember it could be an allergic response to a vaccination. If your cat has just been to the vet to receive any medication or a shot, her sneezing may be a slight reaction to it. As a general rule of thumb, allow a 24-hour time period to elapse. If the sneezing hasn't stopped by then, call your vet and ask about side effects from the medicine. Of course, you can also call immediately if it will ease your mind.
5. Take your cat in for a checkup. Chronic sneezing may have an underlying problem that only a vet will be able to solve. As a last resort if your cat constantly sneezes and is miserable, a trip to the vet might be the only answer.
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