What Are The Best Cat Decongestants? Natural, Nasal, And Over The Counter
As a cat owner, you should know that cats can suffer from bacterial, viral, or allergic infections, which may result in sinus congestion. Sometimes also your cat can get a cold and a runny nose.
As a result of this, cats may experience pain and discomfort since they are unable to simply blow their noses. There may be a need for a decongestant for your cat if she is experiencing some discomfort.
Some cats respond best to certain decongestant options than others, so it is important to choose one that best fits your cat’s needs. Which are the best decongestants for cats?
By reading this article, you will be able to select the one which suits your cat best.
Here are some other helpful articles about the same subject!
Why do cats need Decongestants sometimes?
A blocked (congested) nose is a very common problem for both humans and pets. It can range from just being mildly annoying, to having an effect on breathing and even sleeping.
For cats, this is, unfortunately, a very common problem as they have small nasal passages and it’s easy for things like pollen and dust to become trapped in their noses.
This causes the cat’s body to overreact by producing mucus which will try to flush out the irritant or allergen, but as the passages are so narrow this results in a build-up of mucus which can cause inflammation, congestion, and stuffiness.
The most common signs you’ll see that your cat has a blocked nose are sneezing, nasal discharge (which will contain blood if they have a more severe or chronic problem), snuffling, and generally being rather miserable.
Cats are masters of hiding their pain so you may not actually see them doing any of these things, but they’ll still respond very well to treatment.
If your cat can’t breathe through its nose then it’s obviously going to have a huge impact on its quality of life. This is why getting help for cats with blocked noses should always be your first port of call before trying any home remedies yourself.
Decongestants for cats that work best
Congested cats can be treated with either decongestant sprays or drops which are applied directly into the nostrils of the cat or with nasal sprays which contain corticosteroids or oral steroids.
Some of these medications will begin to work extremely quickly (such as the nasal drops), whereas others such as the steroid nasal spray may take a few days to go into effect. Cats with blocked noses can also benefit from a number of home remedies that you can try.
Best Natural Decongestants For Cats
To treat your cat’s stuffy nose, you can try these at-home remedies: steam, nasal sprays, and fresh air. If your cat’s symptoms worsen or do not improve, contact your veterinarian for further instructions.
There are many possible causes of a stuffy nose in cats. From allergies to viruses to infections, it may take some time before the root cause of the infection is figured out by your veterinarian.
However, regardless of what caused this symptom in the first place, here are some natural decongestants that may help clear things up fast!
- Steam Your Cat
One simple way to reduce inflammation and congestion is through the use of steam on your feline friend. To achieve this goal pour hot water into a bowl.
Next, sit down with your cat and slowly lower your face over the bowl of steam. Do not let the cat actually touch the hot water. Instead, guide him into position by gently pulling his chin down towards you while slowly moving your head closer to the bowl of steam.
Allow him to stay in this position for up to 20 minutes so that he can breathe in all of the steam’s healing vapors. Afterward, give him a treat or do something fun together to reward him!
- Nasal Sprays
There are many over-the-counter nasal sprays available for cats that contain ingredients such as hydrocortisone and nepafenac. One great thing about these in noses sprays is that they come with an adjustable nozzle.
This way, you are able to control the amount of medication that gets dispensed into your cat’s nose. If this is not effective or your pet is severely congested, contact your veterinarian for additional instructions on how to proceed.
- Fresh Air
Keep in mind that one of the best remedies for stuffy cats comes straight from nature! A walk around the block with yourself and your kitty may be just what you both need! Be sure to bring along some tissues too so that once he begins sneezing you can wipe away any discharge.
If none of these natural decongestants work for you, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible since more serious conditions such as bacterial infections, parasites, tumors, and foreign
Best Over-the-Counter Decongestants for Cats
If your cat is congested then it needs to see a vet, but that doesn’t mean leaving them at the surgery while you wait for an appointment. There are some medications that might help relieve your cat’s congestion but bear in mind that these may not work very quickly or at all.
Some human decongestant medications can be used in cats but there really aren’t any natural remedies that have been proven to work in this way. Here is a list of the most commonly prescribed medications:
- Chlortrimeton (chlorpheniramine maleate).
This medication is an antihistamine. Chlortrimeton will relieve stuffiness and runny nose due to allergies. The dose to give a cat Chlortrimeton is one 0.12 mg tablet every 12 hours, up to three times daily.
You should check with your veterinarian to make sure it will not affect any medications or medical conditions your cat has before giving this medication however because there are known drug interactions with chlorpheniramine and many other medications.
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is another option for decongestants that you can buy over the counter and it is available in several forms: pills, capsules, and liquids. The dose to give a cat Benadryl is one 0.5 mg tablet every 12 hours, up to three times daily.
You should check with your veterinarian to make sure it will not affect any medications or medical conditions your cat has before giving this medication however because there are known drug interactions with diphenhydramine and many other medications.
- Guaifenesin
This nasal decongestant helps mucus flow so substances such as pollen may be more easily eliminated from the body. However, guaifenesin is not available in most places; it can be found on the Internet.
If your cat does have allergies, this type of medication may help to relieve some symptoms so that your cat’s congestion will ease up. The dose to give a cat Guaifenesin is one 0.5 mg/mL suspension.
It should not be given for more than five consecutive days or if there are side effects such as depression, unsteadiness, or vomiting.
- Beclomethasone Dipropionate
This is generally used for asthma, but it can also help relieve nasal congestion in cats. The sprays need to be applied daily or every few days so it’s important that they are used correctly in order to get the best relief possible from your cat’s symptoms.
- Beconase/Vetropolycin/Veramyst
These corticosteroids work well and usually provide fast and effective relief from congestion due to allergies or nasal irritation. The sprays need to be applied daily in order to get the best relief, but drops can usually last a few days.
Is it safe for cats to use decongestants?
Decongestant medications contain ingredients that dry up mucous membranes, making it easier to breathe and relieving congestion. They may be available as tablets or nasal sprays.
However, there are side effects of these medications that need to be considered before using them on your cat.
If your veterinarian prescribes a decongestant for your feline friend, make sure you follow the prescribed dosage and consult with your vet about any potential side effects and how to reverse them should they occur.
Cautions about Decongestants for Cats
Decongestants are not always safe to give to cats. Some decongestant nasal sprays contain xylometazoline hydrochloride, which can cause nervous system issues if accidentally ingested by your cat.
Be sure to read the package carefully and ask your veterinarian before giving any medication labeled with this ingredient. If your cat is already taking blood pressure medication or heart medication, you should consult your vet before administering any decongestant as it may have an additive effect.
Decongestants may also contain ingredients other than nasal decongestants that are not safe for cats. For instance, if your cat is taking medicine for seizures, you should not give it a decongestant containing pseudoephedrine as an ingredient as it can worsen the condition and lead to tremors.
Your veterinarian will know what ingredients are safe for your cat’s medical conditions.
Symptoms of Side Effects from Decongestants in Cats
Some side effects of decongestants for cats include hypertension, weight gain due to water retention, insomnia, and other nervous system issues. If you notice any of these symptoms after giving your cat a decongestant medication, contact your vet immediately for advice on how to reverse the issue.
Dosage Instructions When Giving Decongestant Medication to Cats
If your veterinarian prescribes a decongestant for your cat, follow dosage instructions carefully. If you notice any signs of side effects after giving the medication, contact your vet immediately. Do not give more than is prescribed and do not give to your cat without first consulting with your vet.
Final Verdict
When you have wheezing, coughing, and a congested nose, you know what it is like to have to breathe through it. It is natural that you want to do whatever you can to help your beloved cat when it is suffering from congestion.
The expectorants mentioned above are appropriate for cats, but it is not the case with decongestants, since they are not appropriate for cats.
It is necessary to consult your veterinarian before giving your cat any medication. Nevertheless, you may consider using the natural decongestants that are available for cats.
