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Why is my 7-month-old indoor cat sneezing but has no other symptoms?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 5.5 lbs

My cat is about 7-month old now but she keeps sneezing these days. She has no fever or other problems. Also, she got all vaccines as an insider cat. Could you give me some thoughts on this? or should I visit Petco on Saturday?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

David Darvishian

Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on November 28th, 2017

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Bunny. Sounds like she is suffering from a mild upper respiratory infection. Not sure how old she is but both kittens and adult cats suffer from these infections.

Kittens get infected from their mothers who start shedding the viruses thus infecting the kittens. Many cats live their whole lives carrying these viruses.
They will occasionally develop signs of upper respiratory infections during times of stress at any point in time. We vaccinate for a few of these upper respiratory viruses but we still see many many cases. The vaccines should provide some protection and usually adult cats develop very mild signs. Signs range from sneezing, runny eyes, runny nose, coughing, fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, decreased water intake, etc. Treating these infections can range from very simple to very complex cases that take weeks to months to improve. If signs remain mild, monitoring is sometimes appropriate.

If the signs progress to not eating, lethargic, thick discharge from the nose and/or eyes, then you should get her evaluated by your veterinarian. They can gather a history, perform an exam, and advise you on possible diagnostics and treatment. Treatment can involve antibiotics to protect or treat secondary bacterial infections, antiviral medicines, a good deworming program, and vaccination program, eye drops/eye ointments if the eyes are involved, nose drops, a nutritional supplement called L-lysine added to his food may help, and probiotics are all things to try. Sometimes kittens have a nasopharyngeal polyp which can present as chronic upper respiratory disease which doesn't respond well to treatment. This is a polyp in the nasal passageway and back of the throat. These can be found by using sedation/anesthesia and evaluating the back of the throat and thus removed if found.
Good luck.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 7th, 2017

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Alley is beautiful. Upper respiratory infections in kittens are extremely common. Most of the time this is caused by viruses. Kittens get infected from their mothers who start shedding the viruses thus infecting the kittens. Many cats live their whole lives carrying these viruses. They will occasionally develop signs of upper respiratory infections during times of stress at any point in time. We vaccinate for a few of these upper respiratory viruses but we still see many many cases. The vaccines should provide some protection and usually adult cats develop very mild signs.

    Treating these infections can range from very simple to very complex cases that take weeks to months to improve. Sometimes no treatment is required as long as the cat is eating, drinking, and acting normally. Antibiotics, anti viral medicines, a good deworming program and vaccination program, other eye drops/eye ointments, nose drops, a nutritional supplement called L-lysine added to her food may help, and probiotics are all things to try. Also, providing humidified air is good to moisten the respiratory tract in addition to any fluid ingested with food and by drinking water. Run a hot shower and shut the bathroom door while letting the room steam up. Put Alley in the room for 5-10 minutes so she can inhale the moist air.

    I hope this helps and she gets better soon.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Mirissa Duncil, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 12th, 2017

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

    Poor Ty Lee, but lucky her for being found by you! Respiratory infections in kittens is one of the most common illnesses we see year round, usually due to viral causes and less often from bacterial causes. Being older and immunosuppressed (having a weaker immune system, especially post surgery) will leave your pet susceptible to respiratory infections as well, especially if not current on vaccinations.

    While it is likely not an absolute emergency at this very second-i recommend taking both of your kitties in to see your vet as soon as you can-they both are at a state of compromised immunity-the kitten is very young and your other is elderly and also post-surgical. It is good that your pet is already on antibiotics, but it may not be the "right" kind for what is going on with the respiratory infection. Best to be seen and nip any possible complications for either as quick as you can.

    I hope both your fur babies get well soon!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 6th, 2019

    Hi, and thanks for your question.
    Despite vaccination, this sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed.
    Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Why is my cat sneezing a lot without a runny nose? Is it serious?
If she is young or is undergoing a lot of stress (moving, new animal or person in the house, change of schedule) the most likely cause is a viral upper respiratory infection. Many cats will get by with the following support - lysine supplement- try Vetoquinol Viralys (L-Lysine) Oral Gel for Cats - treat all cats as directed on the bottle until all cats are well - try wet food or soaking kibbles and then very slightly warming the food. Cats are very smell-driven and warm wet food is smellier and more likely to be eaten by a stuffy nosed cat. - recommend a probiotic such as purina Fortiflora for every cat in the home. Odd as it sounds, we’ve found that probiotics actually speed recovery from URI’s - if any cat is squinting an eye or thick eye discharge, refuses to eat, or becomes lethargic, it’s time to see your vet. These are signs of eye ulcers and/or secondary bacterial infection. These cats will need eye ointments or systemic antibiotics. Occasionally, nebulizations or more aggressive treatment is needed. If Mama is lethargic, has decreased appetite, or the nasal discharge is thick, yellow/green, or bloody, or she is breathing with her mouth open, she needs to see the vet as these could be something more serious such as fungal infection, cancer, or secondary infection. Best of luck to you and Mama.
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Why are my cats sneezing with wet snot? Is it allergies or infection?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear that your cats are having issues with sneezing. Sneezing in cats can have a variety of causes, such as allergies or an underlying upper respiratory infection. As Annie is having nasal discharge now with her sneezing, I would recommend she be evaluated by her regular veterinarian, as she may have an infection or some other underlying condition that would need to be treated in order to resolve it. Good luck!
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Why is my 2-month-old kitten sneezing so much? Is it serious?
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!
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Why are my cats sneezing? Is it allergies, dust, or dry air?
Jude and Bunny are an adorable pair!! Sneezing in cats is most commonly caused by upper respiratory viruses, especially when multiple cars in a household are showing signs. Many of these viruses are self limiting so just keeping an eye on them (as you are ) and making sure they are continuing to eat and drink normally and their energy continues to be normal may be all you need to do. If they start having thick yellow or green nasal discharge , discharge from eyes , lethargy, or a change in appetite I would have them evaluated by their veterinarian. If they start becoming slightly congested you can humidity the air using a cool air humidifier or place them in the bathroom while the warm water runs and steams up the air. Hope the sneezing passes quickly and let us know if you have any follow up questions.
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Why is my cat sneezing, lethargic, squinting, and not eating well?
Hello. You are describing Heidi with an upper respiratory infection. Most of these are viruses & generally run their course in 10-14 days. As long as Heidi is eating & drinking, she may not need to be on any medications. If you have never had her tested for feline leukemia & feline immunodeficiency virus ( & never vaccinated ), this might be something to request that your vet do this. This might change how she is or is not treated now & in the future. Just like with us, keeping her hydrated & eating are the best ways to deal with these infections. Offer her canned foods, broths or stocks & even tuna water. The more hydrated she is, the better she will feel. Any concerns, please see your veterinarian for further treatments. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
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Why is my cat having sneezing fits with no eye or nose discharge?
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