How to Treat a Runny Nose & Eyes in Kittens

Just as common allergens can cause you to have watery eyes and the sniffles, your cat is also susceptible to allergic reactions. The severity of the symptoms depends on whether your kitten was exposed to the allergen from skin contact, or if the allergen has made its way into the kitten's system through inhalation. Medication in the form of oral or injected steroids are available at the veterinarian, who may also run blood tests to determine what causes the allergic reactions.

Things You'll Need

Steroid medication
Hypoallergenic shampoo
Towel
Dehumidifier

Instructions

- 1
  Take your kitten to the animal hospital. Allergy tests determine whether the sniffing and watery eyes is due to allergies, or is caused by feline chlamydiosis, a bacterial infection.
- 2
  Administer the oral prescription as directed by the veterinarian. Dosing is usually limited to every day for up to five days, followed by every other day. The purpose of gradually decreasing dosage is to minimize side effects that commonly occur due to steroid use. Side effects include dry mouth, diarrhea, hyperactivity or weight gain.
- 3
  Administer antihistamines. These manage allergy symptoms and do not have severe side effects commonly associated with steroids. Antihistamines are also prescribed by the veterinarian, and may require trying different kinds before finding an effective one.
- 4
  Wash your cat with a hypoallergenic shampoo. Outdoor allergens are prone to sticking to your cat's skin, which can cause allergic reactions including itching, sneezing, and watery eyes.
- 5
  Avoid dusting and vacuuming while your cat is in the same room. Allergens become airborne when dusting, and increases the likelihood of being inhaled by your cat. Keep the kitten in a different room with the door closed for at least an hour after cleaning, which allows the allergens to settle.
- 6
  Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air if your cat is sensitive to mold.