Welcome to the fascinating universe of feline intrigue, where the simple act of a cat sneezing can unravel a myriad of stories. As fellow aficionados of these graceful creatures, we embark on a journey into the enigmatic world of sneezing cats.
In this comprehensive article, we delve into the distinctive world of Maine Coon sneezing – deciphering its causes, understanding the severity, and unraveling the essential precautions for maintaining the well-being of our beloved companions. Whether you’re a seasoned Maine Coon enthusiast or a curious cat lover, join me on this exploration into the intricacies of sneezing in our majestic Maine Coon friends.
Contents
What is cat sneezing?
Cat sneezing is a normal thing, this is a reflex action that helps to clear the nasal passages of any irritants or foreign substances. But we often face trouble identifying the actual reason behind sneezing. When we can not identify the actual problem of sneezing, we face problems fighting against the disease. So, we must identify the problem and then we can decide whether the sneezing is normal or not.
Is cat sneezing a problem?
Cat sneezing can be normal. An occasional sneezing is very normal in every animal as well as cats. But it can be a problem sometimes. If you find your cat on a regular basis, there is a reason to worry. My cat normally sneezes once or twice a day to clear her nasal passage, but last week I observed she was sneezing more frequently than any other day, so I noticed it was not normal but an issue that can lead to a severe problem.
The causes of cat sneezing
There can be several reasons behind your cat’s sneezing. Maybe it can be just the start of a severe disease or it can be a normal cold fever. In my cat’s case, the reason behind her sneezing was an allergic problem, but there can be other causes you might be facing about your cat’s sneezing. Let’s talk about those topics in this segment.
1. Allergies
Allergies can be very normal in cats. All cats are not the same and might have allergies to different things. My cat has an allergy to pollen, so when she gets close to any kind of thing related to pollen, she gets an allergy and starts sneezing. But your cat can be allergic to other things like food, fabric, mold, and dust as well. You must identify the thing your cat is allergic to, so you can avoid allergic problems.
2. Respiratory Infections
Respiratory Infections can be a massive problem for your cat. Cats often have respiratory problems and sneezing continuously is one of its symptoms. You can also observe fever, nasal discharge, and cough if your cat is having respiratory infections. If you find your cats having these issues, do not waste time and go to a vet as soon as possible.
3. Irritants
Cats can be very sensitive to irritants in the environment. Dust, strong odors, cigarette smoke, mosquito coils, air freshers, etc. can be an irritant for your cat, and sneezing is the way in which your cat shows its reflexive nature. If you find your cat is not comfortable with any of it, stop using it.
Cats often react by sneezing when they face any foreign object in their nasal passages. It tries to discharge the object by sneezing. In this situation, there is nothing to worry but you can have a look if your cat is suffering from any foreign object in its nasal passage.
4. Dental issues
Dental issues can also be a thing, which can lead your cat to sneezing. If your cat gets stuck on any object in its mouth or teeth, it can often react by sneezing. If it happens, you can observe its mouth properly and if you don’t find anything major then it’s okay, but if you find any smell or problem in its mouth or dental problem, you must see a vet.
Interested in keeping your Maine Coon’s teeth clean? Check out our article on dental care for Maine Coons!
5. Nasal polyps or tumors
Nasal polyps and tumors can be a very major issue for your cat. If your cat has a nasal polyp, it can face severe breathing problems and if it has any tumour it can lead your cat to severe health issues as well as cancer.
If your cat faces any of these problems, you should visit a vet and do a routine checkup. Regular follow-up can decrease the chances of any severe health issue. Many cat lovers didn’t care about sneezing in the first place and regret it. You can read this Reddit thread to read real cat lovers’ conversations about this issue.
How severe is cat sneezing?
Cat sneezing can be normal as well as severe. In my case, my cat was sneezing because of allergies, but your cat can even have a worse problem. So keeping this in mind, we must know the severity of cat sneezing.
Mild sneezing
- Occasional sneeze, one or two at a time.
- Sneezing sounds soft and not very forceful.
- No other symptoms are associated.
- It happens rarely after being exposed to dust, pollen, etc.
Should I visit a vet for mild sneezing or not?
The answer is no. Mild sneezing in cats is very normal, cats often sneeze mildly to discharge foreign objects and irritants and you don’t need to worry about this. But yes, you should keep your cat in your observation.
Medium sneezing
- Repeated sneezing episodes throughout the day.
- Sneezes are moderate in forcefulness and audibility.
- May see a small amount of clear nasal discharge.
- Slight nasal congestion.
- This could indicate mild allergy or cold.
Should I visit a vet for medium sneezing or not?
You can observe your cat properly whether the sneezing is regular or not. If you find your cat sneezing continuously, you should go to a vet, otherwise, it’s okay to sneeze.
Extreme sneezing
- Very forceful and explosive sneezes.
- Loud sneezing sounds.
- Frequent sneezing fits consist of many sneezes back-to-back.
- Nasal discharge is greenish or yellowish in colour.
- Sneezing is associated with coughing, sniffling, and squinting eyes.
- Possible signs of upper respiratory infection.
Should I visit a vet for extreme sneezing or not?
The answer is yes. Obviously, you should go to a vet near your place. Because extreme sneezing is very abnormal for your cat and it can lead to a severe disease.
Severe sneezing
- Violent sneezing that seems painful.
- Bloody or purulent nasal discharge.
- Sneezing is accompanied by lethargy and loss of appetite.
- Breathing difficulties, fever.
- Possible secondary bacterial infection on top of the virus.
- Potentially life-threatening if left untreated.
- Requires urgent veterinary care.
What should I do in case of severe sneezing?
Severe sneezing can be the start of diseases such as flu, viral fever, respiratory problems, and many more. Severe sneezing can lead your cat to cat flu which is a deadly disease. So, you should immediately contact a vet.
In general, occasional mild sneezing is normal but frequent or severe sneezing could indicate an underlying condition needing a vet’s evaluation.
Maine Coon Sneezing: Vital Precautions
We all know precautions are better than cure. Occasional cat sneezing can be a normal thing for every cat but when your Maine Coon starts sneezing frequently, it’s maybe leading it to a major disease. Now let’s see what precautions we can take to prevent our cats from sneezing.
1. Practice good hygiene
Good hygiene is a must for any type of animal as well as cats. Cats love clean and hygienic environments and it also keeps them safe from any virus or bacterial diseases. If I talk about my cat, I ensure the best hygiene of my cat. I keep her place as clean as possible. I try to clean her food pot twice a day, I change her regular drinking water. And I am getting results, I don’t face any severe problems normally.
2. Monitor symptoms and limit contact with people/pets
When I see my cat is not doing well like other days, I keep her in my monitoring. I note the symptoms she has so I can know whether it is a problem or not. If I find she is having a viral flu, I limit her contact with people and pets. Diseases can be contagious and we must keep our sick pets distant from other pets as well as people. If you find the same, please keep her in your monitoring and limit the access to pets and people.
3. Vaccination
Vaccination is a must for your cat. In my case, I make sure my cat gets cat flu and rabies vaccine once a year. You should do the same for your cat. Cats must be dewormed every three months and you should use external medicines to keep your cats away from fleas and ticks.
In Conclusion
Maine Coons are surely among the finest companions in the pet world. When our majestic felines face health issues, it can be distressing, and unfortunately, some cats suffer due to their human’s lack of knowledge. Though cat sneezing is often trivial, it has the potential to escalate. It’s crucial to take preventative actions for the welfare of our Maine Coons. If any peculiar behavior arises in our treasured feline friends, seeking a vet’s advice promptly is imperative.
