Kitten Sneezing a Lot

I have a 10 weeks old kitten I bought home a few days back. My kitten is sneezing and coughing a lot with a bit of mucus built up near her eyes. Why is my kitten sneezing a lot and what can I do to help get rid of it? ~ Samantha Michelle, Nevada.

The answer to Samantha's question, there may be several reasons as to why the kitten is sneezing. Kitten sneezing and coughing can become worrisome, especially if you do not understand the cause and how to cure it. Kitten sneezing continuously can be a sign of upper respiratory infection. It may also be due to a foreign body stuck in the nasal passages of the kitten. You need to turn into Sherlock Homes to pin point as to 'why is my kitten sneezing'?

Kitten Sneezing Causes

There are plenty of reasons that may lead to sneezing in cats. The following few paragraphs will help you understand the reasons for kitten sneezing and coughing.

Allergies
Just like us humans, a kitten may also develop allergies that causes it to sneeze. You need to find out the potential causes of kitten sneezing due to allergies and remove them from the environment to help stop the sneezes. The reasons for kitten sneezing may include:

• Dust allergy
• Pollen allergy
• Mold allergy
• Chemical allergy
• Kitty litter dust allergy
• Carpet cleaner allergy
• Cigarette smoke allergy
• Candle smile allergy
• Aerosols

Foreign Allergen in Respiratory Tract
Many times a kitten may swollen a small object while playing that may get stuck in the respiratory tract. This is a very rare possibility. You may take the kitten to a vet to remove the foreign object.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
The upper respiratory tract infection or UTI may be one of the main reasons for sneezing. The kitten may be infected with viruses, bacteria and fungi that causes it to sneeze. A kitten with UTI may show other symptoms like fever, wet nose, coughing, watery eyes, swollen glands and eyes, breathing difficulty and mucus. You may observe some or most of the symptoms in kittens suffering from upper respiratory tract infections.

Dental Problems
Dental problems is another rare cause of sneezing. A tooth decay with signs like bad breath, swollen gums, puss around the mouth may cause the kitten to cough a lot. The dental infections may enter the nasal region and lead to continuous sneezing in kittens.

Feline Asthma
Feline asthma is another chronic condition that may be a cause of kitten sneezing and coughing. You need to reduce the level of allergens like cigarette smoke, pollen, dust and chemical aerosols inside the house. You should keep away strong perfumes, scented litter and hair sprays away from the kitty. You can hold your kitten over a steam filled bathroom for several minutes to open up the bronchial passageways. Or you can even hold him over a vaporizer.

Heartworm
Cats are less prone to heartworm infections but they get infected in areas with high mosquito infestations. The parasite is transferred through mosquito bites into the cat. It affects the right side of the heart and arteries of the lungs and causes blocked arteries, difficulty in breathing, coughing and heart attack. You need to maintain a strong immune system of your kitten by giving it a proper diet. You should make sure that you use natural insect repellents like citronella and water. Speak to a vet for prevention of heartworm in cats.

Kitten Sneezing Blood
In case of severe nasal infection it may lead to kitten sneezing blood. If you observe blood when the kitten sneezes, take the kitten to the vet immediately. It may mean the nasal passage has been severely damaged or irritated due to sneezing. Or it may be due to a foreign body stuck in the nasal passage, fungal infection or it may be a sign of nasal cancer or even feline leukemia.

These are a few causes that may be the answer to Samantha's question, 'why is my kitten sneezing?'. If you too are facing a similar problem, then you should find out the possible causes of the kitten sneezing and coughing to get rid of the same. You should take your kitten to the vet for regular check ups and vaccinations required according to the stages of kitten development. A little kitten is as delicate as a human baby. Proper kitten care, lots of love and affection will help it to grow into a healthy and happy cat.