Both cats sneezing

I have looked through the site and read other posts on the topic of sneezing cats but am still unsure about the situation with my kitties.

One evening this week I noticed one of my kitties sneezing in the evening.  Because yesterday was a holiday here and I was at home I noticed that they are both sneezing now.  They aren't sneezing all the time - probably once or twice an hour and I'm not sure when it is one and when it is the other as they still aren't that sociable - they are rescue cats and have only been with me for 3 months.  I would take them both to the vet to get them checked out but I can't pick either of them up and worry that trying to catch them to take them to the vet would destroy the trust that finally seems to be starting to build between us.  However if they are really sick then I will do my best to get hold of them.  Apart from the sneezing they seem fine.  They are both still eating and playing.  I can't think of anything that could have set them off - I haven't changed anything in my house.  I did have friends visiting last weekend - none of them are cat owners but a couple have dogs - could they have brought an infection into my house on their clothes?

Hi.  Good you were at home and able to observe a bit longer than usual on your holiday.  I hope it isn't anything serious but it is right to worry about sneazing.

It could still be an alergy to something though you say you haven't changed anything in the house.  Think whether there is anything new you have been using or have brought in, or it could be outside like any change in crops, pollen or spores in the air.

There is a small chance your friend's dogs brought in an infection and they have picked it up but many viruses are speicies specific so while it could also be a virus that might have been in their systems and lain dormant for a bit and only showing if they have been a bit stressed or run down - were they happy about the dogs being there last week?  It is interesting that one of them seems to have started and then the other one shortly afterwards.

If it is an upper respiritory infection that could change quite quickly so keep an eye on them.  Also, you say you have had them for about 3 months but not how old they are?  Were they very young when they were rescued or are they a bit older?

Thank you for your help.  I can't think of anything new that I have used in the house.  It is autumn here so also can't think that there would be pollen or anything in the air.

My friends didn't bring their dogs with them, I just wondered whether they could have carried anything on their clothes.  However, the cats were a bit stressed out by there being 8 extra people in the house.  They did a lot of hiding like they did when I first got them.  Maybe it is something that they had in their system.

They don't seem to be any worse today, if anything there have been longer intervals between the sneezes while I have been sat here this evening.

They are nearly 3 years old.  They were rescued as grown up, pregnant cats.

I can't really tell what they really have,or most likely be allergy like whatMServant said.do they have runny eyes or redness in the eye?do they have bugurs in their nose?have they been eating normally?do they sleep more or less?usally a small sneeze can lead to worse sickness or can most likely go away.hope it's nothing serious.

It would be more unusual for something to be transmitted on clothing though I am sure it is possible for some things.  I know feline herpes (FHV) needs wet contact so that would have to be present already.  It is also not transferable between species.  Most cats have FHV but don't show symptoms, and cats who have been through a shelter are even more likely to have it than others.  I am less familiar with the other viruses cats have.

If the sneezing is less regular and no other symptoms I would be less alarmed, esp as they are not kittens,  but worth getting them screened at some point. Many of the viruses are included in standard blood screens but FHV isn't so you would probably have to ask for that as an addition.  Stress does tend to bring these things out in cats and can bring on other illnesses like UTIs so is always a good idea to avoid unnecessary trips as you are doing now. You can't avoid people coming round to your house, you just have to let them hide like you say they do.  If the sneezing settles and no other symptoms present then I would just keep an eye out for any other signs like weight/appetite changes, runny noses, coughs, runny eyes or red gums, then when you are next at the vet you will have a detailed history to give them which always helps with speedy and accurate diagnosis.

As for allergies, you can get spores on leaves that trigger things apart from anything else, which I know all too well as have an allergy (all be it a mild one) to beech leaves when they turn in the fall. How do I know?  I used to climb in a beech hedge when I was a child! 

Fingers crossed it all settles down for you and no more worrying!  

It would be more unusual for something to be transmitted on clothing though I am sure it is possible for some things. I know feline herpes (FHV) needs wet contact so that would have to be present already. It is also not transferable between species. Most cats have FHV but don't show symptoms, and cats who have been through a shelter are even more likely to have it than others. I am less familiar with the other viruses cats have.

My cat has that (FHV) so,wildhoneybee whatch out for the symptoms on,http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-flu.htm,my cat started out whith discharge of the eye and snezzing my vet told me it was(FHV),feline herpe virus-1,so please visit that web sight and whach out for those symptoms it can get ugly some times.

Thank you for all your help.  They don't seem to be showing any other symptoms and the sneezing seems to be getting less.  They are still eating all their food and seem to be quite relaxed.  I'll keep an eye on them but hopefully they were just allergic to something.

Thank you to everyone that gave me advice on the sneezing.  It seems to have stopped now apart from the odd, very occasional sneeze.  Whatever it was seems to have passed but I'll try to remember to see if they are sneezing at the same time next year to find out if they are allergic to something!