My kitten sneezes after grooming. Is this normal or a concern?

Allergens or irritants in the air that are inhaled perhaps during grooming (such as hair, grooming products, sprays, etc that become aerosolized can potentially cause sneezing for a day or so. If the sneezing is not accompanied by any other symptoms such as lethargy, decrease appetite, nasal discharge, vomiting, coughing, etc. then it may be due to the grooming and not too much to worry about.

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.

She might have an upper respiratory infection causing the sneezing and discharge. Since she is eating and playing normal, you can monitor her and see if the problem resolves. If she stops eating, becomes lethargic, has a fever, and/or the discharge increases or becomes discolored then she needs to be examined by a vet for treatment.

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.

I agree with your vet! Herpes virus is a very common cause of sneezing (and that sneezing can be pretty noticeable!). The fact that she is eating and playing is great! This will likely go away on its own with time but if Asia does stop eating, becomes lethargic, or gets squinting eyes, head back to the vet as these could be signs of a secondary bacterial infection or other co-infection. Congrats on the new kitten!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would actually be more concerned about an upper respiratory infection. This is common in young cats and in most cases it responds to antibiotics. I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment. They would be able to check for this and start therapy accordingly. Good luck and have a good night!