31 August 2026
All cats sneeze from time to time. But if you’ve noticed your cat sneezing more than usual, you may be wondering whether it’s something to worry about.
Short answer: it depends. Occasional sneezing is usually nothing to worry about and may simply be your cat’s way of clearing an irritant from their nose. However, frequent or persistent sneezing, or sneezing accompanied by other symptoms can sometimes indicate an underlying issue.
Here’s what you should know about the common causes of sneezing in cats, what symptoms to watch for, whether your cat’s sneezing could be contagious, and when it may be time to contact your veterinarian.
Cats can sneeze for many reasons, ranging from a little dust in their nose to an upper respiratory infection. Some of the most common causes include:
The frequency of your cat’s sneezing and whether they have other symptoms can help you determine whether it’s something you can simply monitor or something you should discuss with your veterinarian.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are one of the most common causes of sneezing in cats. Viruses such as feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus can cause inflammation in the nasal passages and lead to symptoms similar to a cold.
Along with sneezing, you may notice:
Some upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses, while others may involve bacteria. Because treatment depends on the underlying cause, your veterinarian can help determine what your cat needs if symptoms persist or worsen.
Environmental Irritants
Sometimes, your cat may simply be reacting to something in their environment. Dust, dusty litter, smoke, mould, candles, cleaning products and strong fragrances can irritate the nasal passages and trigger sneezing.
This type of sneezing is often sudden and short-lived. If your cat stops sneezing once the irritant is removed, there’s usually less cause for concern.
Consider whether you’ve recently:
Reducing exposure to potential irritants can help you determine whether the environment is contributing to your cat’s sneezing.
A Foreign Object
A small piece of grass, dust, hair or another foreign object can sometimes become lodged in a cat’s nose or nasal passage. This can cause sudden, repeated sneezing as your cat tries to clear the irritation.
You may also notice your cat:
If you suspect something is stuck in your cat’s nose, don’t try to remove a deeply lodged object yourself. A veterinarian can examine your cat and safely determine whether an object needs to be removed.
Allergies
Allergies can affect cats, although they don’t always look the same as allergies in people.
In cats, allergies more commonly cause skin-related symptoms such as:
Some cats may also experience respiratory symptoms, including sneezing. Environmental allergens can include things such as pollen, mould and dust. If you think allergies may be affecting your cat, a hypoallergenic diet made with hydrolyzed protein could help. Nutrience Care Sensitive Skin & Stomach is available in both kibble and wet food formulas.
Because many conditions can cause similar symptoms, it’s best not to assume that sneezing is caused by allergies alone.
Dental Disease
Dental disease is another possible, although less common, cause of chronic sneezing in cats. In some cases, a dental infection affecting a tooth root can irritate the nearby sinuses and contribute to sneezing or nasal discharge.
If your cat has ongoing sneezing along with signs of dental problems, such as bad breath, difficulty eating or discomfort around the mouth, your veterinarian may check their teeth and mouth as part of the examination.
If your cat has dental disease, Nutrience Care Oral Health may help reduce plaque and tartar buildup with its oversized kibble.
Other Possible Causes
Less common causes of ongoing sneezing can include nasal polyps, growths or other conditions affecting the nasal passages.
If your cat’s sneezing is persistent or keeps returning without an obvious trigger, your veterinarian can help determine what may be causing it.
Sometimes. If your cat’s sneezing is caused by an infectious upper respiratory infection, it may be contagious to other cats.
Common feline respiratory viruses, including feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus, can spread through respiratory secretions such as saliva and discharge from the nose or eyes. Cats can become infected through direct contact with an infected cat or by coming into contact with contaminated objects such as food and water bowls, bedding and toys.
If you have multiple cats and one develops signs of a respiratory infection, it’s a good idea to limit close contact with the other cats and practise good hygiene until you know what’s causing the illness. Your veterinarian can also advise you on whether your cat should be separated from other pets.
Many of the viruses responsible for common feline upper respiratory infections are species-specific, meaning they primarily infect cats. However, not every respiratory infection is the same. Certain bacteria, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, can infect both cats and dogs.
For that reason, if your cat has been diagnosed with a contagious respiratory infection, ask your veterinarian whether other pets in your household could be at risk.
Sneezing on its own doesn’t necessarily mean your cat is sick. It’s a natural reflex that helps clear the nose and upper airways of irritants.
However, other symptoms can provide important clues that something else may be going on.
Keep an eye out for:
The colour and amount of nasal or eye discharge can also be useful information to share with your veterinarian.
If your cat sneezes occasionally but is otherwise acting normally, eating, drinking and behaving as usual, you can generally monitor them and look for potential environmental triggers.
However, it’s a good idea to contact your veterinarian if sneezing:
Difficulty breathing, significant weakness or other severe symptoms warrant prompt veterinary attention.
Your veterinarian can assess your cat’s symptoms and determine whether further testing or treatment is needed. If your veterinarian suspects a bacterial infection is behind your cat’s sneezing for example, a secondary bacterial infection following a viral URI, or bacterial involvement in sinus or dental-related sneezing antibiotics may be part of the treatment plan. While antibiotics can be an important part of clearing up the infection, some cat parents notice an unexpected side effect once treatment starts such as changes in their cat’s stool.
If your veterinarian determines that your cat has a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotics as part of their treatment. Antibiotics can be an important tool for treating certain infections, but they can also affect the beneficial bacteria that naturally live in the digestive tract.
As a result, some cats may experience digestive upset while taking antibiotics or shortly after completing a course of treatment. This can include diarrhea, loose stool, changes in bowel movements or other digestive changes.
If your cat develops diarrhea or loose stool while taking antibiotics or shortly after completing a course of treatment, follow your veterinarian’s instructions and let them know about the change. Your veterinarian can help determine whether the symptoms are related to the medication or another underlying issue and whether a probiotic supplement may be appropriate for your cat.
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that can help support a balanced gut microbiome and healthy digestion. Prebiotics provide nourishment for beneficial bacteria and can work alongside probiotics to support a healthy digestive environment.
Factors such as illness, dietary changes and certain medications can affect the balance of bacteria in the gut. Adding a probiotic may provide additional digestive support, depending on your cat’s individual needs.
Nutrience Care® Probiotic+ Cat Supplement
For cats that could benefit from additional digestive support, Nutrience Care® Probiotic+ Cat Supplement combines probiotics and prebiotics with ingredients such as pumpkin and chicory root.
The formula contains Bacillus subtilis probiotics and inulin, a prebiotic fibre from chicory root, to support healthy digestion, gut health and immune function.
Nutrience Care® Probiotic+ is intended for adult and senior cats. If your cat is taking medication, has a medical condition or is on a veterinarian-prescribed diet, talk to your veterinarian before introducing a supplement.
Probiotics aren’t a treatment for the underlying cause of sneezing and shouldn’t replace veterinary care. If your cat is showing signs of an infection or another illness, your veterinarian should determine the appropriate treatment.
Of course, digestive support is only one piece of the picture if your cat is prescribed antibiotics. The sneezing itself and whatever’s causing it is still what needs to be addressed first. Keep an eye on both ends: how your cat’s respiratory symptoms are responding to treatment, and how they’re doing digestively along the way. If anything seems off on either front, your veterinarian is the best resource to guide next steps.
Occasional sneezing in an otherwise healthy cat is usually not a cause for concern. Your cat may simply be clearing dust, hair or another minor irritant from their nasal passages. If sneezing becomes frequent or other symptoms develop, contact your veterinarian for advice.
There’s no single timeframe that applies to every cat. If your cat continues sneezing frequently for more than a day or two, or if the sneezing is getting worse, it’s a good idea to speak with your veterinarian.
Yes, allergies can contribute to sneezing in some cats. However, feline allergies more commonly cause skin symptoms such as itching, scratching and overgrooming. Respiratory symptoms can have many other causes, including upper respiratory infections and environmental irritants.
Some mild respiratory infections may resolve with supportive care, but it depends on the underlying cause and your cat’s symptoms. If your cat isn’t eating or drinking, seems lethargic, develops significant discharge or has difficulty breathing, contact your veterinarian.
Yes. Many of the viruses and bacteria that cause feline upper respiratory infections are contagious between cats. If you have multiple cats, separating a sick cat and practising good hygiene can help reduce the risk of spreading infection. Your veterinarian can advise you on how long to keep cats separated.
Many common feline respiratory viruses primarily affect cats, but some bacterial infections, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, can affect both cats and dogs. If your cat has been diagnosed with a contagious respiratory infection, ask your veterinarian whether your other pets may be at risk.
Probiotics may provide digestive support when a cat’s gut microbiome has been affected by factors such as illness or medication. However, whether a probiotic is appropriate depends on your individual cat. If your cat has been prescribed antibiotics, ask your veterinarian whether a probiotic supplement is recommended.
Occasional sneezing is usually normal. Pay closer attention if sneezing becomes frequent, persistent or worse, or if it’s accompanied by nasal or eye discharge, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss or difficulty breathing. These signs may indicate an underlying condition that requires veterinary attention.
The Bottom Line
An occasional sneeze is usually nothing to worry about. Cats sneeze for many reasons, including minor irritants, allergies and respiratory infections. The key is to pay attention to how often your cat is sneezing and whether other symptoms are present.
If your cat is otherwise happy, eating and behaving normally, you can monitor occasional sneezing and look for possible environmental triggers. If sneezing persists, worsens or occurs alongside other symptoms, your veterinarian can help determine the underlying cause and the appropriate treatment.
If your cat has a contagious respiratory infection, remember that it may spread to other cats in the household. And if your cat is prescribed antibiotics, ask your veterinarian whether probiotics may be appropriate to help support their digestive health.
31 July 2025
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