Once in a while, your cat sneezes; but if he is active and normal, it is really nothing to worry about. However, if your cat’s sneezing seems to be frequent than usual or is accompanied by blood or mucus, or if your kitty also has eye discharges and/or cough, the sneeze may be a red flag signifying significant health problems.

Here are possible reasons of sneezing in cats:

•    Nasal irritant such as dust, strong scent, or chemical irritant that triggers a reflexive sneeze

•    Respiratory infections, generally caused by a viral infection; this is like your common cold.

•    A noxious scent or chemical fumes produced by various solvents; these products causes inflammation of the mucus membranes of the nose and sinuses

•    Foreign bodies in the nose, such as grass awns or blades of grass, can cause irritation; if a foreign body is not expelled by sneezing, it may pave the way for the occurrence of a nasal infection.

•    Dental disease, particularly when there is a root infection, can trigger bouts of sneezing.

Click here to call your Minnetonka, MN animal hospital if your cat’s sneezing seems to be more persistent than usual.