Ragdoll kitten sneezing is a common occurrence. Every Ragdoll kitten we have bought into our home goes through a short period of sneezing as they adjust to their new environment. However, if the sneezing continues longer than a few days there may be other reasons why your kitten is sneezing.
What Causes Ragdoll Kitten Sneezing?
There are many possible causes of kitten sneezing, but the most common one is a cold or allergy. Other causes of kitten sneezing may include a viral infection or a respiratory infection.
Allergies
If your kitten is sneezing and has a runny nose, they may be suffering from allergies. If the mucus is clear then your kitten will not have a bacterial infection and the cause of the sneezing will more likely be an allergy. Kittens can be allergic to a variety of things, just like people are. These include allergies to dust, pollen, mold, cigarette smoke, chemicals, carpet cleaners, aerosols, candle smoke, and other things. Just like when someone gets hay fever or is allergic to dust they often sneeze, a kitten with allergies often has a runny nose as their reaction.
Upper Respiratory Infection
Your kitten may be displaying signs of an upper respiratory infection, which is a common cat flu. Upper respiratory infections are common in young cats, especially cats that come from breeding batteries. This virus is highly contagious and will affect your kitten in the mouth, nose, and sinus areas. Some other symptoms that may be seen include fever, a wet nose, watery eyes, and coughing. If you notice these signs in your kitten or if they develop into more serious problems such as pneumonia or bronchitis please take them to the veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible.
Feline Herpes
Ragdoll kittens are susceptible to feline herpes virus (FHV), a virus that can cause respiratory illness in cats and some breeders may have Feline herpes in their cattery. The virus is spread through contact with saliva, mucus, or blood from an infected cat. Symptoms of FHV include sneezing, coughing, and fever. If your Ragdoll kitten has any of these symptoms, please consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Foreign Object
This is not a very common occurrence, but sometimes a kitten may get a foreign object lodged in their respiratory tract. You can try to dislodge it yourself using a flashlight and tweezers. If this is difficult or if you are unsure, then take your kitten to the veterinarian. This is not very common.
Tooth Decay
If your kitten is sneezing a lot and has bad breath, puss in the mouth area, and swollen gums, it might be due to tooth decay. You should see your veterinarian to get them treated.
If the sneezing is persistent and your Ragdoll stops eating, develops colored mucus or has trouble breathing then it should be seen immediately by a veterinarian.
Find out more about the health of Ragdoll Cats
