Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My cat is sneezing, not eating, breathing funny. Should I go to ER?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 20 lbs

My cat has been experiencing allergies or an upper respiratory infection, he has an appt on Monday to see Whatsup but I need some answers now. He’s sneezing & breathing funny isn’t really eating & I need to know, should I bring him into an emergency vet? Can I give him benedryl? I don’t know what to do.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 8th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Ricky. Oh no, poor boy. Unfortunately it's illegal from me to recommend giving him Benadryl without seeing him in person. I am quite concerned that he's breathing funny and isn't really eating. Any breathing problem should be considered an emergency, so yes I would take him into an ER vet now. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
I got a 14 to 15 week old kitten a few weeks ago he's very healthy. He's rambunctious he wants to play he's eating just just fine but today you started sneezing a lot should I rush into the emergency room? Or should I wait and see how he is on Monday
Thank you for contacting Pet Coach with your question about Romeo! Given that he is playing, eating, and otherwise fine, I wouldn't rush him into an ER vet now. If sneezing is the only sign, it's fine to wait until Monday to have him seen by a vet. I would rush him into an ER vet if he stops eating, becomes lethargic, or starts having trouble breathing. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has been sick lately. Had been getting treatment for pancreatitis. He was getting so much better over the weeks then a few days ago he started sniffing and now it’s getting worse and sounds like he’s struggling to breathe and constantly sneezi
As long as he is still eating and able to sleep comfortably then i would not be overly concerned. Bathing his nose with saline and cotton wool can help free any mucus and make breathing a little easier. If symptoms worsen or he starts breathing with his mouth open I would seek an emergency appointment
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat don't want eat eventhough i have been give him a food. Yesterday he eat to much the suddenly he don't want eat this morning. He sneeze oftten in the particular time and it little makes me worry
This is probably an upper respiratory infection. it's very common in young cats and is very contagious to other cats as well. It is treated with oral antibiotics for about 2 weeks.as he is not eating it is considered an emergency. I advise going to your vet asap to start the treatment right away.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has been sneezing, eyes are watery, he's very tired and won't eat anything. He ate this morning but not tonight. I suspect be has a respitory infection and needs medication. I plan to take him to the vet first thing tomorrow morning. Is this a
No, this isn't an emergency, and it's fine to take Dex to the vet in the morning. He's likely not eating because he can't smell his food. The sense of smell is very important to cats, and if they can't smell their food due to congestion, they won't eat. I recommend gently warming up really smelly wet food, such as sardine or fish based to try to tempt him to eat. It's a great idea to have him see a vet first thing in the morning, and I will give you some things you can do at home that may help in conjunction with treatment from the vet. First, you can try starting Dex on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him into the bathroom wit
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 1 year old cat has been losing weight and have been sneezing and having a hard time breathing. I tried to turn on humidifier with menthol scent for her but didn't work. Her nose discharge is brownish red and both her ears are wet inside. I started
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Difficult breathing can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, among many other possibilities. This could also be the result of an upper respiratory infection. I do not recommend continuing antibiotics at home without further veterinary care as her symptoms are unlikely to improve without knowing what is going on. Inappetence in cats can be very concerning as it can be detrimental to their health, more so than in dogs. I recommend that you have Oliver evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I am giving my 3 year old male neutered cat Zyrtec at 5 mg. dosage to help with his sneezing. The Zyrtec helps but now he seems to be breathing a bit through his mouth. He is eating and has no blood or discharge. How else can I help him as we fly hom
Poor guy. He may be breathing through his mouth because his upper airway is severely congested. He really needs a short course of antibiotics prescribed by your vet to clear this up. Most these infections are originally viral but then get secondary bacterial infections, which is why antibiotics are needed. Until you can get him in to your vet you can help him breathe a bit better by using a humidifier or letting him sit in the bathroom for 5-10 mins with the hot shower running so that the steam infiltrates his airway. Also, you can start anti-viral supplements to help boost his immune system. Lysine powder or gel is an anti-viral for cats that is readily available over the counter, without a prescription, from just about any pet store. Untimately however, he will need to see your vet to help resolve this issue. You can continue the Zyrtec as well if it seems to be helping. I hope that your pet Bentley gets well soon from his upper airway infection. Best of luck and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I found this cat on street that has hair falling plus redness around his eyes, also sneezing and hard breathing. I gave him a bath cuz he was so so dirty and gave him cats vitamins. I wish I know how to treat this problem around his eyes.
Thanks for hwlping this guy. He likely has an upper respiratory infection which can be a combination of viral and bacterial disease. Getting good nutrition into him is a start but many time these cats need antiviral or antibiotic medications. You can warm compress or wipe his eyes clean with a warm damp cloth. If a vet visit is possible I strongly recommend it to get the correct medications for him. In the meantime nursing and supportive care may help a lot. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-upper-respiratory-infection Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My cat has been sneezing for the past 6 days, since Monday 4/20. He has no other symptoms but sneezing. He had a scratch on the side of his nose and it scabbed over fine. Last night, 4/25, his nose bled for about ten seconds but not a lot. Why is he
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Tigger. Itcould be he has a respiratory infection, and it's concerning that his nose was bleeding. He does need to see a vet for this in the morning, and I can give you some things you can do at home. Please know teethings I'm giving you cannot take the place of a vet visit. First, you can try starting him on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is sneezing a lot, runny eyes and nose. she’s never been sick before so i don’t know what to do. she’s drink and eating fine, going to the bathroom fine. she keeps sneezing and looks pretty sick. i want to give her Benadryl to see if that woul
No, I would not give Chyna Benadryl. That's for allergies, and it sounds like a respiratory infection. First, you can try starting her on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. I would also have her seen by a vet on Monday.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
My cat is sneezing and I think coughing. Acts like hes choking or something in his throat. Vomited foam yesterday but still eating soft food. Not himself. Hes mostly an inside cat but there is a stray cat outside with similar symptoms. Should I cal
Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Supplies Cat Food Cat Asthma Medication Prescription Cat Allergy Medicine Wet Cat Food Cat Medicine Cat Antibiotics Electrolytes for Cats Vaccines and Shots for Cats Heart & Blood Pressure Medicine for Cats Baytril Cat Asthma Medication Chlorpheniramine Cat Medicine Albon Cat Asthma Medication Ventolin Cat Asthma Medication ProAir Cat Asthma Medication Chlorpheniramine Prescription Cat Allergy Medicine Doxycycline Cat Asthma Medication Prednisone Cat Medicine Ventolin Cat Medicine ProAir Cat Medicine
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored