Cats and Sneezing: Why Your Cat Acts So Weird When You Sneeze

Does your cat look “achoo” funny when you sneeze? Does your cat meow when you sneeze? Or, maybe he races away like he’s being chased by a giant vacuum cleaner? Perhaps he makes a cute little chirpy sound? There have been accounts of kitties reacting in all of those ways — and more — when that sharp, crazy sound rockets from our faces and into the air. In general, cats and sneezing don’t mix. Here’s why cats react so bizarrely to your sneezes and some variations (from funny to serious) on how they respond:

Why cats act so weird when you sneeze

A human sneezing around his gray cat. Photography by Art-Of-Photo on Thinkstock.

Cats love routine and don’t like loud, especially excessive noises. This is part of why they often jump or run away when we sneeze. When a cat’s ear detects loud or sharp noises, tiny muscles in the middle ear contract in order to lessen sound transmission and protect the delicate inner ear. Sneezes, gunfire or firecrackers popping occur too quickly for the reflex to provide adequate protection.

If your cat is especially jumpy when you sneeze, it could be because you sneezing reminds him of a negative experience. Family Pet Animal Hospital in Chicago explains: “While the exact cause of loud noise aversion is unknown, it may be due to lack of exposure in early development, a genetic predisposition for emotional reactivity or result from a traumatic event. Often, pets with noise aversion or phobias also suffer from other anxiety disorders.” If you believe your cat’s jumpiness is related to past trauma, consult with a veterinarian for a strategy to help kitty feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Cats who say “bless you” in meows in response to sneezing.

Many have reported their cats looking straight at them and meowing upon hearing them sneeze. Because meows are how kitties communicate with people, some believe the responding meow is an “are you OK?” or even “bless you” reply. Of course, we humans love to have “conversations” with our kitties, so we may return with an “I’m fine, kitty — don’t worry,” or a “thank you!” (Admit it — you totally have two-way conversations with your cat.)

Cats who chirp when you sneeze.

You know that chirpy little vocalization cats make when they see a squirrel or bird? Some cats also use it in response to human sneezes.

Cats who run away when you sneeze.

Some cats completely freak and can’t race away fast enough when we let loose with a giant sneeze. If they’re quietly cuddled in our laps, we sometimes get the “claws out” treatment as they scramble away from us. It’s as if someone rang a doorbell — a very loud, mortar fire-like doorbell.

Cats who display agitation at your sneezing.

A woman blowing her nose near an agitated cat. Photography by absolutimages/Thinkstock

If a cat doesn’t make noises or run away when we sneeze, they’ll usually at least show signs of agitation. They’ll sport the flattened “airplane ears,” look at us with complete disgust or change positions in passive-aggressive fashion: “I guess I’ll just flip over to this side and try to go back to sleep. No — don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

Cats who think your sneezes are actually hisses — and react accordingly.

A few people have indicated that their cat becomes aggressive following human sneezes. Cats may go so far as to purposefully bite or scratch — sometimes drawing blood. Since some sneezes sound like hissing, experts think that cats react in an attack-like fashion. If this aggression is a new behavior, or becomes a pattern, consult a vet to make sure there aren’t any medical issues at play.

And then there are some cats who don’t even react when you sneeze.

It’s true: some cats don’t budge when they hear you sneeze — even a loud or sharp-sounding one. Like humans, cats react to situations in a variety of ways for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes, we just have to hang up our hats and realize we will never fully understand felines.

Tell us: Let’s talk cats and sneezing: How does your cat react when you sneeze?

Thumbnail: Photography by hwongcc/Thinkstock.

Read more about weird cat behaviors on Catster.com:

• All About Cat Hissing — Why Do Cats Hiss?
• Cats on Catnip: What Happens to Your Cat When He Does It
• 10 Cat Signs of Affection — How Cats Show They Love You