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Why Is My Cat Sneezing?

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If your cat sneezing and you’re wondering what you can do about it, then you should know five home remedies that you can use that can quickly and easily help your cat at home.

In EffortWiz I show you how to naturally treat dog and cat sneezing diseases to keep your pets healthy and ultimately extend their lives. In today’s EffortWiz we’re featuring Jasper, who’s not super keen on being in this, so what I’m going to do is just show you a couple things that you would expect to see if your cat sneezing, and you know that would make sense for you. You would be using some of these home remedies.

The big thing for most cats if they’re sneezing is they’ve got an upper respiratory tract infection. Most of these guys are not really cat sneezing; you’re going to see a bit of mucus or discharge here on the end of their nose. A lot of the guys are going to have plugged-up nostrils often too.

That’s going to be accompanied by weeping eyes; you’re going to see discharge in the corner of both their eyes, and for most cats also the conjunctiva, that red tissue around the eye, is going to be swollen and a little bit red. So for most cats if that’s the case and that’s what your cat has, they likely have a condition called the cat flu.

Humidity for Cat Sneezing Relief

The first big principle in dealing with a sneezing cat, and you’re trying to decrease the congestion and that inflammation, is some real simple home remedies. The first big principle is just adding humidity.

There are a couple different options. One would be just bringing your cat into the bathroom, cranking the shower on hot, and steaming up that room. Or having some type of humidifier that’s going to add additional moisture. That alone can go a long way in easing some of that congestion.

This is a humidifier; it’s also used with some of the essential oils. You can go ahead and just use warm water, or to help a little bit more, you can add in a couple of different essential oils.

The one I prefer when we’re dealing with our cats is lavender oil. I would add into this about a cup of water and then add in about five to ten drops of lavender essential oil and let that diffuse throughout the day.

I try to keep it in a mid-sized room where my cat is going to be, for instance, the bedroom, so they get the benefit of the additional moisture and the decongestant properties of the lavender oil.

Topical Decongestant for Cat Sneezing

The next thing that many of you have probably used is a topical decongestant. This is one I have here, a cold and allergy decongestant. Preferably you’re getting the one meant for children. It’s no longer a patented product, so you can buy it as a generic spray.

The big point is you’re just using one or two drops and only for a short period of time, between three and five days. It’s not meant to be long-term or frequent.

Maximum I prefer you give it three to four times a day. For cats that are really congested, it can help because they feel more comfortable, they sneeze less, and because your cat is able to smell again, they’re more likely to start eating, which makes a big difference in helping them deal with the virus.

Elderberry Juice Concentrate for Cat Sneezing

The third thing is something to help with the virus itself. For the majority of cats sneezing, they’ve got a virus called the feline herpes virus, and a smaller percentage have the feline calicivirus. That’s the most common cause of cat flu and sneezing.

The first big thing to help is some type of nutritional product that’s antiviral but also safe for your Cat Sneezing.

What I have here is elderberry juice concentrate. Locally we have elderberries that grow wild, so I’ve just picked the berries, simmered them for about 20 minutes, let the moisture evaporate, crushed the skins, and used a sieve to remove the seeds (as seeds may contain arsenic).

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What’s left is concentrated elderberry juice. It’s safe for people, dogs, and cats. For cats, the dose is about one teaspoon three to four times a day for a short term three to five days. If needed long-term, twice a day is fine.

Elderberry also has vitamin C and has been shown to decrease flu severity and duration.

You can also get it as a product called Savvy Guard, made from elderberry juice concentrate and elderberry flowers with added honey. If using Savvy Guard, give one teaspoon to your cat three to four times a day for around five days.

Some cats may need it for up to two weeks if the issue is recurring.

Honey for Cat Sneezing

Honey is primarily antibacterial but also appears to have antiviral properties, which is useful since most sneezing is caused by viruses. It’s very safe for cats.

The dose is about half a teaspoon twice a day. A good combination is mixing elderberry juice with honey, for example, one teaspoon of elderberry juice with half a teaspoon of honey.

Lysine for Cats with Recurrent Cat Sneezing

L-lysine is an amino acid that’s antiviral and particularly helpful for cats with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections caused by feline herpes virus.

The dose is about 100 mg per cat per day. It comes as a tablet, which you can crush into food, or as a lysine paste for easier administration. You can give up to 100 mg twice a day.

Lysine is not an instant fix but should be given for up to eight to twelve weeks to help eliminate the virus. This is important for cat sneezing, as the virus can stay dormant in the trigeminal nerve and reappear during stress. Lysine helps prevent it from coming back.

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Summary

If your cat sneezing, there are five home remedies you can use that can quickly and easily help your cat at home. Most sneezing cats have an upper respiratory tract infection, often called cat flu, which includes mucus, plugged nostrils, and weeping eyes. To help, add humidity by steaming up a room or using a humidifier. You can also use a topical decongestant for a few days to ease congestion.

Elderberry juice concentrate and honey are antiviral and safe for cats, helping reduce flu severity. L-lysine helps with recurrent infections but needs to be given for several weeks. If your cat is very lethargic, won’t eat or drink for more than 24 hours, has thick nasal discharge, trouble breathing, or a high fever, see a vet.

Cat Sneezing: Common Questions Answered

Q: My cat sneezing a lot. Should I be worried right away?
Not always. Sometimes it’s just a bit of dust or something tickling their nose. But if you notice the cat sneezing comes with goopy eyes, a runny nose, no appetite, or they’re acting tired, it could be more than just a random sneeze.

Q: What usually causes cat sneezing?
Most of the time it’s an upper respiratory infection, like a kitty version of a cold. The common culprits are viruses, mainly feline herpesvirus and calicivirus. But it could also be things like nasal polyps, allergies, or even something stuck up there. Dental issues can sometimes trigger it too.

Q: Can I try steam to help my cat breathe easier?
Yes. I’ve done this with mine—just sat in the bathroom with the shower running hot for about 10 minutes. Don’t put them in the water, of course. The warm steam helps loosen the gunk in their nose.

Cat Sneezing

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Q: Are saline drops safe for cats?
They are, if you use plain saline (no additives). A drop or two in each nostril can flush out mucus or whatever’s irritating them.

Q: Someone mentioned L-Lysine. Does it work?
It can help, especially if your cat sneezing is from the herpesvirus. It’s an amino acid. You can mix it into food; 250 to 500 mg is what most people use.

Q: What about herbs like echinacea?
Some folks swear by it. It’s thought to give the immune system a little boost. If you try it, the liquid form is easiest about 1 ml twice a day with food.

Q: How do I keep them eating and drinking?
Cats lose their appetite when they can’t smell. Warming up wet food makes it smell stronger and might tempt them. And keep fresh water nearby — hydration matters when they’re sick.

Q: When’s it time for the vet?
If your cat’s barely moving, won’t eat or drink for a day, has thick yellow or green snot, is breathing hard, or feels really hot, don’t wait. That’s vet time.