A coughing and sneezing cat can do this for many reasons, if your cat has both of these symptoms there are several things to be aware of. Here’s why your cat coughs and sneezes and the solutions to put in place for each cause.
Cat coughing and sneezing: The different causes and their solutions
Here are the different causes of the problem, with solutions for each:
An irritation
Your cat may have been exposed to substances that cause him to cough and sneeze, such as household products or certain plants. The problem should quickly pass but his body will try to reject the substance by causing him to cough and sneeze.
Keep it away from harmful substances like cigarette smoke or vaporizers. If nothing happens, then take him to the vet.
A virus
Like us, a virus can reach the cat’s body and cause it to cough and sneeze, and if at first sight nothing is serious, monitor it anyway until it gets better. Otherwise, take him to the veterinarian so that he can receive appropriate treatment.
Parasites
Parasites like worms and fleas are recognizable in the cat’s coat and stool and can cause him to cough and sneeze. So be careful that he is always dewormed and have him dewormed.
Know that the parasites will get worse and worse over time as they reproduce and end up eating everything your cat ingests, with dire consequences.
An allergic reaction
A pollen or dust mite allergy can also cause this problem, so be careful to always keep the allergen away while waiting for veterinary treatment. You can first look under what circumstances the problem appears, if it’s when it comes in, pollen is likely, if it’s when it wakes up, dust mites are the number 1 suspect.
Red eyes or a runny nose are also a way to tell you that it is indeed an allergy.
Symptoms of an essential visit to the veterinarian
Some symptoms should make you take him to the vet:
- Blood: If he coughs or sneezes blood, his health is in danger. To be on the safe side, go to the veterinarian quickly.
- Breathing problems: The airways can be affected and since the cat can only breathe through the mouth, this is also an emergency, especially in flat-nosed cats who naturally breathe less well.
- Slime : Especially if it’s slimy.
- Fever: You can take it with an electronic thermometer in the ears or anus. Avoid the armpits which provide too little detail.
- Great fatigue : He remains lying down all day, curled up in a ball.
- Diarrhea: Or on the contrary constipation. Transit problems in general are a sign of an important disease.
How to make his life easier?
You can make your cat’s daily life much easier by providing healthy, temperate air that limits coughing and sneezing.
For coughs and sneezes, you can use several natural remedies:
- Use steam: Steam opens the airways and is good for the lungs. You can diffuse some in a room and put him in there for several minutes so he can breathe without coughing.
- Facilitate his food intake: Warm and soft foods will not attack his esophagus when he eats avoiding coughing due to the aggression of cold and dry food.
- Give him honey: Honey is as good for the cat’s throat as it is for ours, and it can only do him good for his cough.
- Give him vegetable oils : The also to soothe. Ask your pharmacist for advice to get the best result.
- Give him Omega 3 and 6: Their effect on the immune system will be a very good help against coughs. You can give fish oil so he can get his daily dose.
What will the vet do?
The veterinarian will start by asking you several questions, such as the context, the general condition of the cat, its history or the duration of the problem and its evolution.
He will continue by oscillating it to get a more precise idea of the problem. In some cases, an MRI examination or X-rays will be necessary so that he can determine the treatment to be put in place.
Coughing and sneezing cat: The final word
If your cat is coughing and sneezing, it’s not a big deal, just watch him and make his environment as healthy as possible.