Sneezing and nasal discharge in cats is not uncommon. Sometimes it's just a seasonal allergy or "cold," such as humans experience. A general rule of thumb is that if the discharge is clear, you can safely treat your pet at home--as long as the illness responds to your treatment.
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Care
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Gently clean mucous from your cat's nose and eyes several times a day. Wet a washcloth in warm water, slightly wring it out and then blot until the nose and eyes are clean.
Your veterinarian may provide an ophthalmic ointment that you can put into your cat's eyes that will help clear up symptoms and ease her discomfort.
You can also rub a bit of petroleum jelly on her nose to keep it from becoming dry and cracked.
Afrin Children's Strength nose drops can also help your cat feel better. Give her one drop in one nostril one day and a drop in the other nostril the next day. Continue with this treatment for one week.
Feeding
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Cats eat based on the smell of food. If your cat can't smell, oftentimes he won't eat. Warm food slightly or feed smellier canned foods to stimulate his appetite. Canned foods are a good choice anytime your cat has a cold. Dehydration is always a concern, and canned foods contain a lot of water.
If your cat isn't interested even in canned food, you might try a bit of canned tuna fish, because the smell should cut through the symptoms of the cold. Sometimes you can just drizzle a bit of the "juice" from the tuna fish can on the cat's food to encourage him to eat.
Vaporize
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Place your cat in a room with a vaporizer or put her in a bathroom and run the shower, to loosen any mucous.
Vitamin C
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Just as with humans, Vitamin C can help overcome a cold. You can give a cat a quarter of a Vitamin C tablet daily for up to four days while she is recovering. Vitamin C shouldn't be given to the cat regularly as in a preventative, but only while she is being treated for her cold.
Herbs
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There are herbs that will help to boost your cat's immune system and encourage respiratory health. These include licorice and elderberry. It is best to consult with a homeopathic veterinarian before administering herbs to ensure they are safe for your cat and that you are providing the correct amount.
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