Do cats get sinus infections?

Yes, cats can get sinusitis. Domestic cats have two frontal and two sphenoid sinuses. The small sphenoid sinuses are named after the sphenoid bone which is located in the middle of the skull towards the front. The frontal sinuses can become infected with bacteria following an upper respiratory viral infection (URI). Sinusitis is referred to as a secondary bacterial infection.

Feline sinusitis
Two useful tags. Click either to see the articles: Toxic to cats | Dangers to cats

Feline sinusitis. Photo in public domain and manipulated.

I am not a veterinarian but the symptoms are well know to humans. They are similar for cats: a nasal discharge often from one nostril combined with sneezing and sniffing. It can cause a headache or general discomfort in the face. Headaches are hard to diagnose in cats but a cat with a headache may sit with their eyes partly closed and with their head hanging. Sometimes cats press their heads against a hard object to alleviate headaches.

Sinusitis can also cause a depressed appetite with consequential weight loss. Other causes of a cat frontal sinus infection are fungal infections (uncommonly) and an abscessed root of a top premolar tooth. Feline fungal infections (cryptococcosis) can be caused by the dust from pigeon excreta blowing into a cat. A vet will confirm sinusitis with an X-ray.

A vet will treat the condition with antibiotics which is exactly what a doctor would prescribe for human sinusitis. Sometimes surgery may be advised if the antibiotics are unsuccessful. Please talk to a vet about it. I am simply answering a question that cat owners ask of Google.

Some pages on URIs

Useful tag. Click to see the articles: Cat behavior

Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.
Useful links
Anxiety - reduce it
FULL Maine Coon guide - lots of pages
Children and cats - important

Michael Broad

Hi, I'm a 74-year-old retired solicitor (attorney in the US). Before qualifying I worked in many jobs including professional photography. I love nature, cats and all animals. I am concerned about their welfare. If you want to read more click here.

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