Runny Nose in Cats: Causes and When to Worry

In this guide

A cat with a wet or dripping nose is dealing with something similar to a human cold in most cases, but a handful of causes need more than rest and time.

Most likely cause: upper respiratory infection

Feline upper respiratory infections, caused by viruses such as feline herpesvirus or calicivirus, are extremely common, especially in cats from shelters, breeders, or multi-cat households. These infections tend to bring on sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, and sometimes mild fever, much like a human cold, and often resolve within one to two weeks with supportive care.

Other causes to consider

• Allergies to dust, incense smoke, or seasonal pollen, more relevant during India's changing seasons
• A foreign object, such as a grass seed or dust particle, lodged in the nasal passage
• Dental disease, since infected upper tooth roots sit close to the nasal cavity
• Fungal infections, which are less common but do occur, particularly in cats with outdoor access
• Polyps or, in older cats, tumours in the nasal passage

Reading the discharge

• Clear and watery: often early infection or allergy
• Thick, yellow, or green: usually a bacterial component that needs treatment
• Blood-tinged: needs a vet visit promptly, regardless of other symptoms
• One-sided only: raises suspicion of a foreign object or dental issue rather than a general infection

When to see a vet

A runny nose that lasts beyond a week, comes with laboured breathing, appears only on one side, or is joined by loss of appetite and lethargy warrants an examination. Kittens and senior cats should be seen sooner, since they dehydrate and decline faster than healthy adults.

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