Cat sneezing – what can it mean and when to see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. An occasional sneeze may be nothing to worry about, while regular sneezing or severe bouts can indicate a problem.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Your cat cannot stop sneezing
Sneezing blood
Your cat seems painful

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Keep fresh water available
Let your cat rest somewhere calm

Don't

Do not give any human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it can mean

Sneezing can have causes ranging from minor to serious.^[1] Possible causes include cat flu, respiratory infections, irritants, dental disease, a foreign body in the nose, and growths or tumours.^[1] Regular sneezing or severe bouts of sneezing indicate a problem.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Regular sneezing
Severe bouts of sneezing

Possible causes

Cat flu
Respiratory infections
Irritants
Dental disease
Something stuck in the nose
Growths or tumours

What the experts say

“Overview. The odd sneeze is nothing to worry about, but if your cat is sneezing regularly or is having severe bouts of sneezing, this indicates a problem. Sneezing can be caused by a range of problems ranging from minor to serious.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What can cause sneezing in cats?

Possible causes include cat flu, respiratory infections, irritants, dental disease, a foreign body in the nose, and growths or tumours.^[1]

When should I contact a vet about my cat’s sneezing?

Contact your vet for an urgent appointment if your cat cannot stop sneezing, sneezes blood or seems painful.^[1]

Is an occasional sneeze in a cat worrying?

The occasional sneeze may be nothing to worry about, but regular sneezing or severe bouts indicate a problem.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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