Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Home Remedies Help
• Method 2 of 2: Getting Veterinary Care

A runny nose is very uncomfortable for cats. However, it is in your power to help your furry friend: first, try to determine the cause of the runny nose. Once the cause is identified, a cat's runny nose can be treated with medication or simply wait for it to clear up on its own, as is often the case with common upper respiratory infections. You can relieve a cat's runny nose by using steam and by regularly clearing a stuffy nose.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Home Remedies Help

1. 1 Check for signs of inflammation. Your cat may have inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis) or inflammation of the lining of the maxillary sinus (sinusitis).Both diseases cause a runny nose and present with the following symptoms:
   • sneezing;
   • discharge from the nose;
   • nasal congestion;
   • loss of appetite.
2. 2 Learn about the common causes of a cat's rhinitis. There are many factors that lead to inflammation of the nasal mucosa or maxillary sinuses in cats: allergies, swelling in the nose, a foreign object in the nose, parasites, fungal infection, flux, as well as various bacterial and viral infections.
3. 3 Determine if your cat is showing signs of an upper respiratory infection. Very often, a runny nose is caused by the herpes virus or calicivirus. With these diseases, the cat has a clear or cloudy discharge from both nostrils, as well as discharge from the eyes.
4. 4 Let the respiratory infection clear up on its own. Upper respiratory infections in cats are characterized by watery eyes, clear nasal discharge, and coughing. If you think your cat's runny nose is a common respiratory infection, you can wait until it clears up on its own. Most of these infections go away rather quickly, within 7-10 days.
5. 5 Clean your cat's nose regularly. You can alleviate the discomfort of your cat with a runny nose by regularly rinsing your cat's nose. Dampen a piece of cotton wool with water and gently wipe off any secretions that have accumulated under the cat's nose. While the cat is suffering from a cold, this should be done several times a day.
6. 6 Try a steam treatment. If the cat has chronic nasal congestion, inhalation may help. Warm water vapor loosens mucus in the nose and nasal passages, making it easier for the cat to breathe. Lock up with the cat in the bathroom, turn on the hot shower and stay indoors for 10 minutes.
7. 7 Visit your veterinarian. If your cat has difficulty breathing, she needs the help of a veterinarian. He will examine the animal and determine the cause of the cold. Your veterinarian will do a physical exam, check your cat's dental health, and take a blood test to help you understand what is causing the runny nose.

Method 2 of 2: Getting Veterinary Care

1. 1 Seek veterinary care for a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections in cats are most often caused by viral infections, tumors or polyps in the nasal passages, and foreign bodies trapped in the cat's nose. With a bacterial infection from both nostrils, a purulent discharge is observed in the cat.
   • If your cat's nasal discharge is yellow or green and looks like pus, it will most likely need a course of antibiotics.
   • Ask your veterinarian if your cat's bacterial infection really requires antibiotic treatment. Sometimes it is better to treat a bacterial infection by other means, as overuse of antibiotics makes bacteria resistant to them.
2. 2 Watch out for signs of a fungal infection. Sometimes a fungus is the cause of a cat's rhinitis. The most common fungus in cats is cryptococcus. With a fungal infection, the sinuses of the cat swell and the muzzle becomes asymmetrical. In addition, a discharge with blood or pus will flow from the nose.
   • For fungal infections, veterinarians prescribe antifungal drugs.
   • For example, cats with cryptococcosis are usually given fluconazole, itraconazole, or amphotericin B.
3. 3 Make sure there is no foreign body stuck in the cat's nose. Cats often get stuck in their noses with various foreign objects: plant seeds, blades of grass and even small pebbles. They can also cause a runny nose. In this case, the cat often sneezes and rubs its muzzle with its paws, and the discharge can be from only one nostril.
   • Ask your veterinarian to remove the foreign body from the cat's nose. Do not try to remove it yourself.