My new cat is sneezing, now my other cats are too. Should I see a vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed
Hi, We bought our cat Cleo home from the RSPCA 2 weeks ago. At that time she was checked by the vet and cleared for any signs of Cat Flu, but she was sneezing from the day we got her. Within about 4 days of bringing her home our other two cats also started to sneeze. They all sneeze about every 2 mins. All 3 have no other symptoms.. Eating normally, no discharge from eyes or nose, still active. However as it has now been about a week and a half and no improvement. Is a trip to the VET needed?
5 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 24th, 2017
It's highly possible that they're all experiencing a flare-up of feline herpesvirus, which tends to produce mild upper respiratory signs such as sneezing and ocular discharge. Most cats already have the virus in their bodies but don't have symptoms, but living in a stressful environment (shelters) or going through stressful events (having a new cat brought home) can trigger recurrence of the active infection. If it's been a week and a half they likely do need to see the vet, however most of them will improve with supplementation with the amino acid lysine and supportive care.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on January 25th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Many times, cats can develop a viral upper respiratory infection due to feline herpes. These symptoms will typically resolve on their own but may take days to weeks depending on the case. I would recommend using Lysine supplementation, which can be found online in the form of lysine capsules for cats or Duralactin with Lysine. The lysine in the supplements will help lessen the duration of the viral infection if this is due to a virus. If the sneezing persists or worsens and you are starting to see green eye / nasal discharge I would recommend having Dexter seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on June 2nd, 2019
Given the fact that all 3 cats are now sneezing, it seems likely that Toby brought an upper respiratory infection home with him to share with his new friends. It is important to remember that vaccines do not prevent all viral or bacterial infections. (Think about the common cold in people!) While most upper respiratory infections in cats are viral, secondary bacterial infections can occur, which tend to cause yellow or green ocular or nasal discharge. Any cat that has yellow or green discharge should be taken to the vet for an exam, as they likely require a course of antibiotics. However, if the discharge is clear or non-existent, you can continue to monitor them at home for a few more days, provided that they are eating, drinking and acting normally. Regardless of discharge, if the sneezing continues for another week, they should all be examined by a vet. I hope this helps and that all goes well!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on December 19th, 2017
If you know that he has a virus and has had an upper respiratory infection (URI) before then yes this may come back occasionally, but if it is going to clear up on its own it will usually do so within a week. If you know that he has feline leukemia or feline aids then I would strongly recommend to get him seen by your vet sooner rather than later. These guys do not have good immune systems and an URI can quickly turn into pneumonia. Most cats with immunocompromised viruses usually need help with antibiotics to help them get over such infections. I would continue to give l-lysine until he is well. If you do not think kitty is immunocompromised, then I would still be concerned that it has been going on for 10 days. You can try adding in Benadryl - see link below- in case there is an allergy component to see if this helps. If it isn’t improving, worsens, or at any point he isn’t eating or lethargic, I would have your vet take a look at him. Your vet will be able to get him started on some antibiotics and even take X-rays if needed to ensure he doesn’t have pneumonia. I hope this helps! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/cat/benadryl/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on October 14th, 2018
Many cats have upper respiratory infections especially when they are coming from a shelter situation. There are several viruses and bacteria that can cause similar signs, and cats are usually contagious for two weeks or so from the onset of signs. Viral infections can sometimes cause recurrent outbreaks throughout the cats life (herpesvirus is the most common) so if the new cat becomes symptomatic again your other cats could be at risk in the future, but many cats do not have recurrent symptoms. The FVRCP vaccine protects against the most common viruses, so if your cats are vaccinated they are at less risk for infection. How serious a respiratory infection is depends on the patient - by far the vast majority of cats recover quickly without complications and do not have recurrent symptoms but very occasionally a young or immunocompromised cat can develop secondary pneumonia or chronic symptoms.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My new cat is sneezing a lot. His ears don't feel hot, he doesn't have a runny nose, but when he sneezes sometimes stuff is coming out of his nose. It seems more than just a normal sneeze because of the frequency and he's a little sniffly. Should I
Hi, My cat has had chronic sneezing episodes over the last week. They happen about 4-5 times a day and last approximetly 30 minutes each time. She is an indoor cat and has been in contact with no other cats. However, we do live in an airconditione
My new cat is sneezing and has a red nose, now my other cat are sneezing with red noses
My cat sneezes a lot, even when breathing. She has been a mother of 3 kitties since 4 days. I am afraid for her youngsters of it infection. Please write me medicine to buy and thak you.
My cat is new to me. Only about 4 weeks in my house. He sneezes and big boogers come out. Nothing bloody or weird with them other than I've never seen something like this before. Should I be worried? Is he sick? I was giving him so L-Lysine given to
I have two cats and they’ve both sneezing quite a lot for the last few days. Do they have an infection or a cold? Do they need to see a vet? Thank you.
My new kitten has been sneezing pretty often since we got him last week. He sounds stuffed up overall, but I noticed his one eye looks like it is squinting a bit, and it had a boogie which I wiped off. He doesn't have any discharge from his nose thou
We just adopted a 8 month old female cat, she was supposed to be indoor only so the people had not vaccinated her, she has started to sneeze suddenly and for no obvious reason, I assumed that it was a respiratory infection, but I see no discharge fro
I just adopted a kitten that's about 10 weeks old yesterday. I noticed that his right eye Waters and it's clear. He sneezes but that's also clear. He seems fine he's very energetic but his eye Waters a lot. Sometimes atwater's a lot and sometimes it
I adopted a cat yesterday who has an upper respiratory infection they said problably feline herpes. They gave her antibiotic shot and weve kept her quarantined from my other cats. After she gets better can my other cats still catch it from her? How
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
