Why is my new kitten sneezing so much after we added air fresheners?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that Linkin is sneezing so much. It is not uncommon for kittens to be infected with feline herpesvirus, which causes upper respiratory signs such as sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge. Most flare ups of herpes are self-limiting, meaning cats will get over the infection on their own. However some cats benefit from nebulization, meaning you can keep Linkin the bathroom while the shower is running to see if the steam will help clear his sinuses. You can also consider purchasing L-lysine from chewy.com which is a supplement to help boost the immune system and help Linkin fight the infection. If his clinical signs become severe, he may require a visit to your veterinarian for antibiotics. I hope this is helpful!

Sneezing is common in cats and can be a sign of mild allergies. I wouldn't be too terribly concerned, unless you start seeing nasal discharge, decreased appetite, or wheezing. Let it run its course and if things don't improve or seem to worsen after about 3-4 days, then you should get Dale seen by your vet for some allergy medication and other treatments (i.e. antibiotics) if needed. Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Take care.

Thank you for contacting Pet Coach with your question about Romeo! Given that he is playing, eating, and otherwise fine, I wouldn't rush him into an ER vet now. If sneezing is the only sign, it's fine to wait until Monday to have him seen by a vet. I would rush him into an ER vet if he stops eating, becomes lethargic, or starts having trouble breathing. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

It could be normal for her since often times when they groom they are getting allergens off their fur. If she does not have discharge from her nose and she is only doing it when grooming, I would just monitor it. However, if you are noticing discharge, or it becomes more frequent, I would take Love Bug to see her veterinarian as it could be allergies or and upper respiratory infection. Hope this helps!

Sneezing is most commonly a sign of an upper respiratory infection. Viral respiratory infections can cause sneezing, ocular discharge or squinting, and clear nasal discharge. They usually do not require specific treatment unless a secondary bacterial infection forms so if Luna has any thick or colored discharge from her eyes or nose, if her eyes look red, or if her appetite is decreased you should see a veterinarian. She may be rubbing her face because her nose is itchy or irritated. Of course there are a few other things that can cause sneezing - sometimes foreign material or even parasites can get in the nose, or kittens can sometimes develop polyps in the nose and throat. If her sneezing is not improving in the next 3-5 days you should make an appointment to see your veterinarian.

Cats can commonly be afflicted by upper respiratory viruses that can cause sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. These viruses can be latent in a cat's system and then in times of stress or a weakened immune system (like in a kitten) they can cause illness. This is what I suspect is going on with your cat. Oftentimes cats can overcome a viral respiratory infection on their own but sometimes they need antiviral drugs, eye medications, and possibly antibiotics to help them get over the virus. If the illness continues to last more than 3-5 days, of if Mushu stops eating or the sneezing becomes excessive then I would take him back to the vet for a recheck. Most times these cats just need supportive care to get through the illness.

Yes, URI's (upper respiratory infections) are very common in kittens and cats that have been living in shelters. They typically are caused by viruses and most of them resolve without treatment, but they turn into bacterial infections that make the cat feel pretty awful, and need antibiotics. I would recommend calling the shelter from which you adopted the kitten and see if maybe he was treated for a URI while he was there. If so, perhaps it's resolving normally. If not, he may just now be showing the signs and he may need to be checked out (by the shelter or a private vet) before things get worse.