My cat has stuffy nose, sneezing, and wheezing. When to see a vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 13 years and 4 months old | 13 lbs
I believe my cat is suffering from an allergy to her litter (which I switched out a couple days ago to a wheat-based kind from a clay kind), She sneezes every now and then but her biggest symptom seems to be a stuffy nose, It sounds like she is wheezing but it could be snoring. I am trying to keep her in a room with me that has a humidifyer. When should I see a vet if her symptom does not improve? I have had her since 2007 and she has never had this before? Is there anything else I can do?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 18th, 2020
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Starr. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian now. You have made modifications around the house and it does not sound like the symptoms have resolved. If she is stuffy or congested, it will be hard to smell. When a cat does not smell well, she will be less likely to eat. This can lead to additional health problems. The veterinarian will examine her and may make recommendations such as chest x-rays. Asthma can be common in cats. She could also have a respiratory tract infection. Based on these results, treatment can be started to help her feel better. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on December 18th, 2019
Poor Jiji, this sounds like an upper respiratory tract infection, most of these are viral and resolve uneventfully over 5-10days. Placing her in a steamy shower room for 3-5mins can help to loosen any mucus. If her appetite decreases or any yellow/green discharge develops she should be checked by your vet as she may need additional treatment
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on December 8th, 2017
There are a few things you can try at home for Juju, but if he's had this stuff nose for longer than a couple of days, it's better to take him into the vet. That would be my recommendation, and you can do the things at home I'm going to tell you in conjunction with medications from the vet. 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 (if that is what's causing his stuffy nose). 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 would have him seen by a vet tomorrow or first thing Monday. Good luck, I hope this helps!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on August 20th, 2017
Upper respiratory infections are very common in cats. Sometimes they are caused by bacterial infections but more often they are caused by a virus, and it may take time for her body to clear the virus. Over the next few days, make sure she is drinking plenty of fluids (adding a pet fountain may encourage her to drink more water) and make sure she is eating - cats that have trouble smelling their food often will have a decreased appetite. If there is a creamy discharge, she may have a bacterial infection and would benefit from seeing your vet for prescription antibiotics. Sometimes, starting a lysine cat treat supplement will decrease the time for the body to clear the virus. Other possible causes for "stuffy nose" in cats include allergies, mites, polyps, or cancer. If she isn't feeling better in a few days, I would recommend that Miss Kitty get checked out by a vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Miss kitty sounds like she has a stuffy nose
My cat as been having on and off stuffy nose and it sometimes sounds like loud snoring. However she has no discharge and eats and plays normally.
Hi- My 8 yr old cat has been sneezing and had congestion for the past week+. I am not able to take her to the vet because she’s EXTREMELY jumpy and won’t get in a carrier (which is not new). She’s eating, drinking and going to the bathroom normally,
My 1 year old cat, Carmella, whom we adopted from a shelter about a week ago has suddenly fallen ill, but I guess you could say she's ADR. Her symptoms include drainage in the eyes and nose, lots of sneezing, stuffy nose, sudden lethargy, isolation,
Haze has been sneezing a lot. Her nose is still wet. She's breathing heavy at night but not sneezing. No yellow discharge. When she sneezes I get sprayed with mucus. But nose is not running. No change in appetite or activity. I just got over a
My cat has been consistently sneezing since yesterday. We had some remodeling done on our kitchen sink where she roams so we think that could be the answer? We’re not sure if we should take her to the vet. Thanks!
My cat used to purr all the time but the Past few monthes she hasent been purring why she also seems to be breathing wierd like mucas and stuffy nose yet the vets say shes fine.
I took my cat Rhiannon to the veterinarian last week because it seemed like she had asthma. She still had tons of energy was still eating and drinking fine as well as using the bathroom regularly. The vet took an x-ray did some tests everything was
My cat has been sneezing the last couple days. Every 30 minutes or so when she is awake she will have a sneezing fit where she sneezes multiple times. She is up and acting normal, eating as normal. I don't see any colored discharge. When should I tak
Our female, spayed cat is sick with congestion, runny eyes, seems like bad cold or upper respiratory ? Never before. Makes noise when breathing. Still keeping her hydrated & eating wet tuna. Can tell she's miserable. How serious if not treated w me
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
