Nasal congestion can be very annoying for your pet cat. To help your furry friend, first find out what's causing his stuffy nose. Once you know the cause, you can treat the problem by giving medication or waiting for the infection to improve. In the meantime, you can make your cat feel more comfortable with steam therapy and cleaning his nose regularly.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Providing Home Care
Step 1. Watch for signs of inflammation
Inflammation of the cat's nose is also known as rhinitis. Meanwhile, inflammation of the cat's nasal passages is known as sinusitis. Both of these inflammations can cause nasal congestion. Symptoms of both include:
- Sneeze
- There is fluid coming out of the nose
- Nasal congestion
- Decreased appetite
Step 2. Identify common causes of nasal congestion in cats
There are various factors that can cause inflammation in a cat's nose or nasal passages, and lead to a stuffy nose. Common causes include allergies, tumors in the nose, blockage of foreign bodies in the nasal passages, parasites, fungal infections, tooth abscesses, and bacterial and viral infections.
Step 3. Check for signs of an upper respiratory infection in the cat
Herpes virus and calicivirus are the cause of many cases of nasal congestion. Signs of this viral infection include clear or cloudy discharge from both nostrils of the cat and discharge from the eyes.
Step 4. Let the upper respiratory infection go away on its own
Upper respiratory tract infections are characterized by sneezing, watery eyes, clear discharge from the nose, and coughing. If you suspect your cat's stuffy nose is caused by a common upper respiratory infection, just let it go away on its own. The duration of most cases of this infection is quite short and will improve on its own in 7-10 days.
Step 5. Clean the cat's nose regularly
You can help reduce nasal congestion in your cat by making sure the nose is clean. Wet a cotton ball with water and use it to gently clean the mucus from the cat's nose. Do this treatment several times a day as long as the cat's nose is stuffy.
Step 6. Try steam therapy
If your cat's nasal congestion is chronic, steam therapy may help. The warm steam can help thin the mucus in your cat's nose and nasal passages, making it easier to breathe. Try taking your cat to the bathroom and then closing the door. Turn on the hot water tap for about 10 minutes and keep your cat company during that time.
Step 7. Visit the vet
If your cat is having trouble breathing, you should make an appointment with your vet. The vet can examine the cat and determine the cause of the stuffy nose. The vet may examine the cat's teeth, test for blood, and/or physically examine the cat to determine the cause of the nasal congestion.
Method 2 of 2: Seek Veterinary Treatment
Step 1. Watch out for bacterial infections
Bacterial infections usually result from an underlying disease, such as a viral infection, tumor, or polyp in the nasal passages, or a foreign body obstruction in the cat's nose. As a result of this infection, fluid will come out of the cat's nostrils with a consistency and appearance resembling pus.
- If your cat's nose has a yellow, green, or white discharge like pus, the problem may need to be treated with antibiotics.
- Ask your vet if you need antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. These infections may be best treated with supportive care only as overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance.
Step 2. Watch for symptoms of a yeast infection
Sometimes, it's a yeast infection that causes a stuffy nose in cats. Infections caused by the fungus Cryptococcus are the most common. If your cat has a yeast infection, her face may appear asymmetrical and her nasal passages may swell. The discharge from the nose may also be bloody or resemble pus.
- Let your vet treat a yeast infection in your cat with antifungal medication.
- For example, Cryptococcus infections are usually treated with fluconazole, itraconazole, or amphotericin B.
Step 3. Make sure there are no foreign objects inside the cat's nose
It is not uncommon for foreign objects such as seeds, grass flakes, or even gravel to clog the cat's nasal passages. This foreign object can cause a cat's nose to constrict and make the cat scratch its face and/or sneeze. In this case, the fluid will only come out of one of the cat's nostrils, not both.
