What are the reasons for a cat constantly having a runny nose?

A cat that constantly has a runny nose may be suffering from a cold, or it may have contracted feline upper respiratory infection or chronic rhinitis. As the initial symptoms of these diseases are similar, it is recommended that the owner take the cat to a pet hospital as soon as possible for examination and treatment based on the cat's symptoms. It is not advisable for owners to buy human medication from a pharmacy and administer it to their cats, as this may not only delay the diagnosis and treatment but also lead to poisoning.

Cold

If the cat's runny nose is clear, it is most likely a common cold. In this case, the owner only needs to feed the cat specialized cold medicine and antibiotics for pets. Additionally, during the cold recovery period, the owner should pay attention to keeping the cat warm to prevent exacerbation due to catching a chill. Also, provide the cat with balanced diet to enhance its immune system.

Feline Upper Respiratory Infection

If the cat has a yellowish runny nose, and is accompanied by lethargy, loss of appetite, sneezing, watery eyes, increased body temperature, or even fever, it is likely infected with feline upper respiratory infection. In this case, the owner is advised to take the cat to a pet hospital for PCR confirmation. Once the cat is diagnosed with feline upper respiratory infection, lysine should be used to inhibit virus replication, and antibiotics should be administered to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

Rhinitis

If the cat has a small amount of runny nose but frequently sneezes, it may be caused by bacterial infection, stimulation by cold weather, and dust in the air, etc. Due to the initial symptoms being similar to those of respiratory tract infections, feline infectious rhinotracheitis, and feline cupid virus, it is recommended that the owner take the cat to a pet hospital for infectious disease testing and blood tests. Then, based on the test results, appropriate treatment can be given. If it is only rhinitis, anti-inflammatory and anti-infective treatment usually yields good results.