My cat is sneezing, hiding, and not playing. Is it serious?

Hello. Dexter probably is infected with a common feline herpes virus. Cats are infected as kittens & remain infected all their lives. It usually only causes mild, but reoccurring problems, usually at high stress times. However, it does not usually cause weight loss, unless things are severe, & your pictures only shows a very mildly affected cat. So, the next step is to see your vet & make sure he is Feline Leukemia & Feline Immundeficiency virus negative. This is done with just 3 drops of blood in your vet's office & takes 10 minutes. If his tests are negative, your vet may elect to put Dexter on a course of anti-viral medications. Hope he is feeling better soon & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hey there. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry to hear about your predicament with both your kitties. Based on the symptoms, I would agree that this sounds most likely like an upper respiratory condition. However, without a physical examination with a stethoscope I could not confidently say whether or not the lower portions of the respiratory tract are also affected (pneumonia or heart problem). For this reason, a veterinary examination at the very least is my recommendation to try and rule out something more serious. Upper respiratory infections do not typically resolve on their own and tend to get worse slowly. Most of them, particularly those affecting the eyes, are thought to have both viral and bacterial components. The Wapiti Chest formula is an all natural product meant to support existing respiratory health and does not make any claim as to its ability to rid the body of existing infection. This product would be a waste of your money at this time and I would not recommend it. Your kitties most likely need antibiotic / antivirals to combat the infection. Doctor may also recommend medication for the eyes / nostrils depending on the physical exam findings. While I understand the financial constraints, it might be best to deal with things now before they become worse and more expensive to tackle. Hope this makes sense.

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 submitting your question regarding Jake. He may have an upper respiratory tract infection based on his increased sneezing recently. As long as he is eating, drinking and acting normally, then it should be fine to monitor him for another 24-48 hours. If his symptoms are not resolving or he brings acting ill, then he will need to see his veterinarian. Good luck!

I would have Pepsi checked out by a vet. Sneezing could be caused by allergies, dry air, mild upper respiratory infection, and even polyps in the oral or nasal cavity. I vet can do a thorough examination and discuss all the environmental factors and hopefully help the sneezing to go away. For upper respiratory infections, some cats benefit from lysine ( https://m.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=25602 ).

It may be due to allergies or she may have developed an upper respiratory infection which can take up to 2 weeks to fully resolve. I would recommend bringing her to a veterinarian if she continues with coughing and sneezing or has any other symptoms. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Unfortunately it’s impossible to say if Carol is sneezing due to allergies, a viral infection or something is stuck in her nostril. You can start her on a cat supplement called Lysine. Carol should take 500mg twice daily. This can help if it is viral. Keep a very close eye on her. Constant sneezing can be the first sign of an upcoming full blown respiratory tract infection. Watch for any nasal or ocular discharge. Watch for lethargy, squinting eyes or not eating well. If you end up needing to go in, there are two companies who may be able to provide financing: Care Credit and Scratch. You can find more information and an application on their websites. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.