My sick cat is drooling, won't eat, and has a sensitive nose. Why?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 6 years and 4 months old | 17 lbs
My cat has been sneezing non stoo since yesterday. Vet visit today and blood work looked normal. Suggested lysene which I bought. Now is drooling excessively and her normally pale pink cold nose is dark pink and warm and very sensitive to the touch. She won't eat now, not even her favorite treats and she is 17 lbs so her not eating is a huge red flag. I'm very worried about her.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 7th, 2017
It sounds like your vet diagnosed her with an upper respiratory infection. Depending on the virus that causes this, the signs can appear in the eyes, nose or mouth. There is a virus called calicivirus that can cause sneezing and ulcers in the mouth. These can be quite painful and make the cat not want to eat. I typically recommend feeding a canned diet so she can lap it up rather than chew it. A/D is a good diet for this. It is made by Hill's and is available by prescription through a veterinarian. I also will sometimes prescribe pain medication to keep them comfortable and eating while they have ulcers in their mouths. I would recommend calling your veterinarian in the morning to discuss these things. We don't want her to go too long without eating.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 23rd, 2018
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Princess. She likely has an upper respiratory tract infection based on the signs you have described. It seems to involve her eyes and possibly her ears. She will need to see her veterinarian today if possible. If this is the case, she will most likely be started on an oral antibiotic, eye ointment and an ear medication as well. In the meantime, encourage her to eat and drink. Being congested makes it harder to smell her food. This can affect her appetite. So if she stops eating well, you can add warm water to her food or offer warmed canned food. These will smell stronger and may entice her to eat. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on November 4th, 2017
Drooling can be a sign of nausea, oral pain, licking something with a bitter taste, difficulty swallowing, etc. If she is eating, then I am not quite sure why she is doing this! Cats with upper respiratory infections can do some weird things. Maybe the secretions in her nose are making it difficult to swallow. Keep her nose clean by using a warm wet wash cloth to remove the dried debris so that she can breath easier. You can also use a humidifier or place her in a steamy bathroom for 15 minutes at a time to help break up dried secretions in her nose and sinuses. Here is some more information on Upper Respiratory Infection in cats: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=613
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on December 15th, 2017
I am so sorry to hear Kitty is unwell and having trouble eating. This sounds like a serious and chronic issue for her and I would recommend a thorough physical examination with your regular veterinarian. The first place to look will be in her mouth-have your Vet check for diseased teeth, masses, foreign objects or gum inflammation/stomatitis. Your vet may recommend X-rays to assess Kitty’s dental health and also check the throat and larynx for contributing factors (such as a mass in the throat). Nausea can also contribute to excess swallowing and apparent difficulty eating, your vet may recommend bloodwork to check for internal issues (such as kidney disease). I hope you are able to get Kitty feeling better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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