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The only thing more worrying as a cat owner is watching your precious cat fight through congestion. When my own cat started having trouble breathing and just generally being more lethargic than normal I experienced this firsthand. Like most pet parents, I started looking for ways to help her feel better without rushing to the vet every time she sniffled.
I found that this had led me to homes remedies for cat congestion and a few, after some trial and error I found a few safe and effective remedies that worked wonders.
Luckily, identifying water bugs isn’t that difficult of a task. If you learn what makes them different– their appearance, their habitat and behaviour – you can easily tell apart a water bug that looks like a roach from an actual cockroach. It also can help you take proper steps to manage them effectively.
There are several reasons your cat can be that congested, from allergies, to colds or even upper respiratory infections. While you should always consult a vet if the symptoms persist it is possible to treat chest congestion in your cat at home. Here I run down the remedies that actually helped me (and how you can safely try them at home, and when you should call in professional help).
Identifying the Cause of Cat Congestion
It’s important to know what may be causing your cat’s discomfort before looking for home remedies for cat congestion. There are so many things that can cause congestion, making things worse than a simple allergy or cold, such as an upper respiratory infection. I wasn’t sure my cat was just allergic or had something more serious going on which made it difficult to know how to help her.
Here are some common causes of your cat’s congestion:
Allergies
Like people, cats can become allergic. Congestion can be triggered by dust, pollen or certain foods.
Colds
Cats can catch colds and do so easily if they’ve been around other animals with a respiratory problems.
Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs)
Cat congestion is sometimes a red flag for something more serious with an infection, and you may need to seek veterinary help.
For your cat illness always best to have an eye on its severity and duration. Mild congestion can usually be treated at home for congested cats, but if symptoms persist, such as refusal to eat or drink, high temperature or low energy, then you might have something more serious. In these instances expert advice from a vet is required.
Home Remedies for Cat Congestion
When my cat began to show signs of congestion, I wanted to be able to give her the best natural ways to help her breathe easier and recover as best at home as she could. I tried and failed a few times, then found some good home remedies for cat congestion that seemed to work. I’ll walk through each remedy and how they worked.
Steam Therapy
Steam therapy is one of the simplest home remedies for cat congestion. When my own cat was congested, I’ run a hot shower in a sealed bathroom and let her sit in there for 10-15 minutes. The steam cleared her nasal passages and made it easier to breathe. Home remedies for cat chest congestion associated with colds is this remedy especially so.
Within a few days, I tried it, and I saw her breathing improving noticeably. But she wasn’t all that stuffy, and her energy returned to normal. Steam therapy can be used as a home remedy for cats with congestive colds, as it is gentle and non-invasive. Just ensure to keep an eye on your cat while they’re doing this so they feel comfortable.
Saline Drops
If you want another home remedy for cat nasal congestion, you can try saline drops. They help thin a congested cat’s mucus and breathe easier. When feeding was finished, I applied a couple of saline drops into my cat’s nostrils if I presented her while she was calm. She didn’t really like it at first, but she got used to it, and it really helped with her congestion.
Saline drops are a trusted home remedy for congested cat as saline drops offer quick but safe relief without the harmful chemicals that other medicines contain. This method not only helped her congestion over time, but it also helped curb her sneezing.
This is a home remedy for nasal congestion in cats that is easy and accessible if you’re looking for something at home.
Using a Humidifier
And, dry air makes cat congestion worse, meaning I put a humidifier in the room that my cat spends most of her time in. This is one of the best home remedies for congestion in cats during the colder months when the air is dry. Humidity in the air reduces irritation in nasal passages and helps thereby alleviating breathing problems.
After about a couple of days of running the humidifier, I noticed my cat’s congestion easing up, and she was able to breathe with more comfort, especially at night. Together with other home remedies for congested cats, this worked well day and night, I found.
A humidifier is apparently a long term solution if your cat keeps getting sick with respiratory problems.
Nutritional Support
When your cat is congested, it’s also important to support their immune system. That’s when I started adding L lysine supplements to my cat’s food, which also promotes respiratory health. This helped over time to boost her immune system and ease the heavy congestion she fought. Nutritional support can’t be ignored in home remedies for congested cats.
Immune boosting supplements such as L-lysine can play a definite role in recovery time. Home remedies for cat’s congestion that are of these type not only cure present symptoms but also improves your cat’s overall health preventing future respiratory problems.
Elevated Resting Areas
Finally, the one thing that made a difference for my cat was elevating her cat bed. Having her sleeping area raised thereby reduced pressure on her nasal passages, and so was a simple and effective home remedy for a congested cat. Lying down can be a challenge for our cat, but if they are having a problem breathing while they are down, elevating the place where they will rest helps.
This is a simple and inexpensive home remedy technique for nasal congestion in cats. Other remedies, such as steam therapy or humidifiers, can be combined with it for maximum comfort. It’s often easy for cats to love the elevated, cozy place anyway, and an elevated, comfortable space isn’t just great when it comes to reducing congestion but also lets them feel more protected.
When to See a Vet
Home remedies for cat congestion relieve the cat of the symptom at hand while staying away from potentially harmful chemical treatments—but learning when to ask the vet for help is still important. In some cases, a simpler congestion problem can be relieved at home, but certainly not all cases. And there can be more serious underlying problems.
If your cat’s congestion goes on longer than a few days and they start showing signs of other ones, such as not eating, being very tired or having a high temperature, it’s time for a vet. When my cat still didn’t improve after using several home remedies to clear her congestion I knew she needed to see the vet. She had an upper respiratory infection that needed medication, and it turned out.
Below are some signs when you should visit the vet:
Persistent Congestion
If home remedies for cat chest congestion, other treatments, or if your cat’s congestion keeps for more than 4-5 days.
Lack of Appetite
Congestion may make it difficult for cats to breathe, which may stop them from eating, but if this continues the congested cat can become dehydrated or malnourished.
Lethargy or Fever
However, these might be signs that something more serious is happening if your cat has a high temperature and is unusually tired.
In cases like these, your vet may prescribe antibiotics or other medication intended to clear the infection deep within your pet’s airways, allowing it to settle and become resolved.
Home remedies to clear a cat’s congestion are helpful for mild cases, but don’t ignore the problem if the symptoms persist or intensify until you get consulted by your vet. When in doubt it’s best to be safe and get a pro opinion.
Tips for Administering Home Remedies Successfully
Assisting a stressed and congested cat, or one that is uncooperative, can be difficult. I have found that the home remedies for congested cat require patience and consistency to work. I’ve found these helpful tips when treating my own cat’s congestion at home.
Patience and Consistency
Whatever home remedy you’re using to treat cat congestion, be consistent with it. It is just that the remedy is more effective if you cover it regularly. As an example, I steam my cat’s nasal passage twice a day, everyday to stay clear.
As with home remedies for cat nasal congestion, similar to saline drops, it is necessary to be persistent. The process isn’t necessarily something the cats like, but by being gentle and patient it can go a long way.
Stress-Free Approach
When you attempt to treat your cat, you make them anxious. It’s best to try and give out gentle remedies when your cat is at its calmest, so after feeding or while he’s curled up in his bed, for example.
I also discovered that treats or gentle petting after the remedy made it a positive experience. That’s particularly true when you are trying to use remedies like saline drops or a humidifier, which, of course, are unfamiliar to them.
If you are trying these home remedies for sinus congestion in cats, like elevating their resting area, do not bother with their routine. Because cats are creatures of habit, you want to make sure you are keeping them comfortable so they aren’t adding additional stress to an already stressful situation.
Minimize Disruption
I also discovered it was important to avoid disrupting your cat’s environment while treating your cat for nasal congestion at home. Any loud noise, sudden change, or change in your furniture can stress your cat and make it harder for your cat to recover.
If you can keep them quiet and routine, they’re much more likely to stay calm, which in turn makes the remedies more effective. Say, using a humidifier in a quiet, friendly room can make all the difference.
With these tips I was able to successfully dispense different home remedies for congested cats and it went down so much smoother. Don’t forget, though — a calm, consistent approach will have your cat feeling better before you know it.
Conclusion
Having a congested cat is stressful, but with the right home remedies for cat congestion you can relieve your cat and help it heal naturally. At easing your cat’s breathing, simple remedies like steam therapy, saline drops, and using a humidifier are highly effective. They can be elevated, and immune boosting supplements such as L-lysine can be added, which in turn will help support their recovery.
First thing remember, while home remedies for congested cats can be great for mil symptoms, keep close eye on your cat. Keep an eye on the cat’s condition if there is no relief or if the congestion gets worse, or if your cat shows signs of an illness, like a fever or refusal to eat, then see a vet.
In the end however, with some patience and consistency and the use of safe home remedies for cats with nasal congestion you can have a big positive impact on your cat’s health and comfort. Their environment must be stress free and if needed don’t hesitate to ask for professional help.
FAQ SECTION
How do I get my cat’s nose unclogged?
Saline drops can also help to clear your cat’s nose, and you can so steam therapy by having your cat breathe in the steam from a hot shower in a sealed bathroom. The both methods loosen mucus and make breathing easier.
What medicine can I give my blocked cat?
Don’t give cats human medicine since it can be dangerous. Instead try using natural remedies such as saline drops or a humidifier. See a vet if symptoms are bad and cat safe medicine.
Can I use Vicks on my cat for congestion?
Vicks is not safe for your cat. Natural remedies, such as steam therapy or a humidifier help relieve your cat’s congestion.
How do cats breathe when they are congested?
Cats that are congested may breathe through their mouths and have trouble with nasal breathing. Saline drops or a humidifier can help clear their nose and make breathing a little easier.
How long do cats stay congested?
Congestion in a cat lasts a few days to a week. However, immediately seek the vet if it lasts longer or becomes worse. For mild cases, remedies like a humidifier or steam is sufficient to let them get well soon.
