If your cat is sneezing and has watery eyes, it could be due to a variety of reasons, ranging from minor irritations to more serious infections. Often, a cat sneezing with watery eyes indicates a respiratory issue or an eye problem, or sometimes both.
Seeing your feline friend sneezing and their eyes watering can be worrying. This common occurrence can stem from many sources, from simple dust bunnies to complex viral infections. This guide will help you decipher the common culprits behind your cat’s symptoms and what steps you can take to help them feel better.
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Common Reasons for Cat Sneezing and Watery Eyes
Cats, much like humans, can experience a range of ailments affecting their respiratory system and eyes. The combination of sneezing and watery eyes often points towards an issue within the nasal passages or conjunctiva.
Cat Respiratory Infections
Cat respiratory infections are a frequent cause of sneezing and watery eyes. These infections can be caused by various pathogens, including viruses and bacteria.
Viral Infections in Cats
Viral infection cats often target the upper respiratory tract. These viruses can cause inflammation in the nasal passages, throat, and eyes, leading to the characteristic symptoms.
- Herpesvirus (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis – FVR): This is one of the most common causes of upper respiratory infections in cats. It’s highly contagious and can cause sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva), watery eyes, and sometimes fever and loss of appetite. Cats can remain carriers of the virus for life, experiencing flare-ups when stressed.
- Calicivirus (Feline Calicivirus – FCV): Another prevalent cause, Calicivirus can also lead to sneezing, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis. Some strains can cause more severe symptoms like oral ulcers, lameness, and pneumonia.
- Chlamydia: While primarily known for causing feline conjunctivitis, Chlamydia can also contribute to sneezing and nasal discharge, especially in kittens. It’s a bacterial infection cats can contract.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infection cats can also cause sneezing and watery eyes, either as a primary infection or secondary to a viral infection that has weakened the cat’s immune system.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica: This bacterium can cause sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge. It often affects kittens and can be more severe in younger animals.
- Chlamydia felis: As mentioned, this bacterium is a primary cause of conjunctivitis but can also contribute to mild upper respiratory symptoms.
- Mycoplasma: These are small bacteria that can cause upper respiratory signs, including sneezing and eye discharge.
Fungal Infections
Less common than viral or bacterial causes, fungal infections can also lead to respiratory and eye symptoms. Cryptococcosis and Aspergillosis are examples that can affect a cat’s nasal passages, causing sneezing, nasal discharge, and sometimes facial swelling.
Cat Allergies
Just like humans, cats can develop cat allergies. These allergies can be triggered by a variety of environmental factors.
- Environmental Allergens: Pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and even certain cleaning products can irritate a cat’s respiratory system and eyes. This can result in sneezing, itchy eyes, and watery discharge.
- Food Allergies: While less common for respiratory symptoms, some cats may show mild nasal or eye irritation as a response to certain ingredients in their food.
Irritants
Exposure to irritants in the environment is a significant factor for cat sneezing causes.
- Dust and Debris: Fine particles of dust, especially from litter boxes (clumping litters can be particularly dusty), can easily get into a cat’s nasal passages and eyes, causing irritation and sneezing.
- Smoke: Cigarette smoke, fireplace smoke, or fumes from cleaning products can severely irritate a cat’s sensitive respiratory system, leading to sneezing and watery eyes.
- Strong Scents: Perfumes, air fresheners, and certain essential oils can be toxic and irritating to cats, triggering allergic-like reactions and respiratory distress.
- Litter Dust: Certain types of cat litter, especially clumping clay litters, can produce fine dust particles when dug in. If inhaled, this dust can irritate the nasal passages and eyes, leading to sneezing.
Foreign Objects
A foreign object lodged in the nasal passage or eye can cause significant irritation and trigger sneezing.
- Grass Blades or Seeds: Cats exploring the outdoors might inhale a small blade of grass or a seed, which can get stuck in their nasal passages and cause persistent sneezing and nasal discharge.
- Small Debris: Tiny particles of dirt or other foreign matter can also be inhaled.
Dental Issues
Interestingly, severe dental problems can sometimes manifest with respiratory and eye symptoms.
- Tooth Root Abscesses: An abscess at the root of an upper tooth can extend into the nasal cavity, causing inflammation and discharge. This can lead to sneezing and nasal congestion, and sometimes affect the eye on the same side.
Deciphering the Symptoms: What to Look For
When your cat is sneezing and has watery eyes, observing other symptoms can help pinpoint the cause.
Associated Symptoms of Cat Cold Symptoms
Cat cold symptoms are often a cluster of signs related to an upper respiratory infection in cats. Beyond sneezing and watery eyes, you might notice:
- Nasal Discharge: This can range from clear and watery to thick, yellow, or green mucus.
- Conjunctivitis: Red, swollen, and inflamed eyes are common. The watery eyes in cats may be accompanied by a sticky or pus-like discharge.
- Eye Discharge: This cat eye discharge can be watery, mucousy, or even purulent.
- Lethargy: A generally less active and more sleepy cat.
- Loss of Appetite: Cats may eat less or refuse food due to a reduced sense of smell or feeling unwell.
- Coughing: Some infections can also lead to a cough.
- Fever: An elevated body temperature.
- Pawing at the Face: Cats might paw at their eyes or nose if they are irritated.
- Squinting: Due to discomfort or inflammation in the eye.
Differentiating Causes Based on Discharge
The nature of the discharge can offer clues:
- Clear, Watery Discharge: Often indicates early-stage viral infections, allergies, or irritants.
- Thick, Yellow, or Green Discharge: This typically suggests a secondary bacterial infection cats may have contracted, or a more advanced viral infection. This type of discharge from the nose or eyes warrants immediate veterinary attention.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
While some mild symptoms might resolve on their own, it’s crucial to know when a vet visit is necessary.
Recognizing When to Consult a Veterinarian
- Persistent or Worsening Symptoms: If sneezing and watery eyes continue for more than a couple of days, or if the symptoms become more severe.
- Thick, Colored Discharge: Yellow, green, or bloody discharge from the nose or eyes is a strong indicator of infection.
- Lethargy or Loss of Appetite: These are signs that your cat is feeling unwell and needs medical attention.
- Difficulty Breathing: Any signs of labored breathing, wheezing, or coughing require immediate veterinary assessment.
- One-Sided Symptoms: If the sneezing or eye discharge is significantly worse on one side, it could indicate a foreign object or a dental issue.
- Young Kittens or Elderly Cats: These age groups have weaker immune systems and can deteriorate quickly, so prompt veterinary care is essential.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Cats with chronic illnesses may be more susceptible to complications.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
A veterinarian will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of your cat’s symptoms.
Veterinary Diagnostic Tools
- Physical Examination: The vet will check your cat’s overall condition, listen to their heart and lungs, and examine their eyes and nasal passages.
- History Taking: Your vet will ask detailed questions about your cat’s symptoms, diet, environment, and vaccination history.
- Swabs for Culture and Sensitivity: If an infection is suspected, swabs from the nose or eyes may be taken to identify the specific bacteria or virus and determine the most effective antibiotic.
- Blood Tests: May be used to check for underlying systemic issues or to assess the immune response.
- Ophthalmic Examination: For eye issues, specialized tools like a