A Sneezing Cat!

Good Afternoon! First let me say I truly enjoy this site. I was introduced to this thru a customer where I am employeed. I find it very informative and I do enjoy and learn from your forums.

Now to my question/concern for my cat.

I have a 10+ year old long haired cat, which I got from the pound. She has always been healthy, except for the time she was an outdoor cat and cost me over $500. Now she is a very pampered home cat. Within the last week, though, she has started to sneeze. Sometimes 2 or 3 times in a row and sometimes hard sneezes.

I have changed nothing in her environment. Outside of the sneezing she is her same self, no changes. So, my question is, do cats get colds and/or allergies. I'm trying to avoid a vet trip, she is not a good traveler at all!!

Thanks,
Diane

If you start to notice a colored discharge or a large amount of mucous, I would take her to the vet. It's usually a sign of an infection.
Yes, sometimes cats can get allergies to stuff in the air such as we do. They can get hairs or dust in thier noses which makes them sneeze as well. However, cats usually don't have the same "classic" symtoms of allergies as people. They tend to have more skin reactions than anything else.

Is there a nasal discharge along with the sneezing? If not sneezing is usually caused by an irritation in the nerve endings in the nose. This may be due to your cat developing allergies. Althought it's always best to have a veterinarian check her out and make sure that's all it is especially now that she's a senior. If so he might be able to suggest using some antihistamines if the sneezing gets worse or other symptoms occur.

Thanks all for you input. No, there is no secretion from her nose or eyes. So, I guess cats can get allergies?

Diane