My cat has a runny nose. Is Vicks VapoRub safe to use on them?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm not terribly worried about the effects of the Vicks. However, I imagine the smell would be overwhelming for a creature with a much more powerful nose than we have. That being said, watch Minkay closely and if you see vomiting, diarrhea, heavy breathing, coughing, etc. please see you vet. Side note, Vicks probably will not work for sneezing and if Minkay is sneezing that badly, he needs to see a vet for testing if needed and/or for medication that will be more effective. Best of luck to you and Minkay!

Eucalyptus oil, which is an ingredient in the Vicks, is toxic to cats so it's not safe to use around Polly. You can use the humidifier to release steam only, and that's just fine for her. As for the lavender essential oil, it's also toxic to cats, only mildly, but not recommended for use around them. I hope this helps!

Hello. You can try taking Vicious into a steam-filled bathroom as this will sometimes relieve the congestion. You can also try saline drops, 1 drop into each nostril 2-3 times a day. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If your kitty has no problems breathing, and if the discharge stays clear, then you do not have to do anything. The next time she has that discharge, take her temperature and if it is 102F or higher you should monitor her for lethargy or not eating, as she may have a viral infection. If the discharge is purulent (yellow or green) she needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that Mini is having a runny nose. It is possible that she is suffering from an upper respiratory infection that may be viral and/or bacterial in origin. If you believe that she is not having difficulty breathing (ie, has a respiratory rate of less than 40 at rest and is not using her belly to help her breathe), she is eating normally, drinking, urinating and defecating normally, and has a normal energy level, you may be able to monitor her at home. Sometimes, keeping her in the bathroom while you run a hot shower can help clear her sinuses. If you notice any purulent (yellow, thick, foul-smelling) discharge from either her eyes or nose, I recommend having her seen by a veterinarian to be examined and treated. I hope this is helpful!

Hi there. It is very rare for cats to truly get influenza, but they can certainly get several types of upper respiratory viruses. You can take him into the bathroom when you shower to get him nice and humidified. You can use nasal saline drops to keep the secretions nice and thin. It's always a good idea to have an examination by a veterinarian to make sure he doesn't need any antibiotics . I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

I would recommend having Miss Gray seen by a vet to be prescribed medication if she is miserable. It's not really fair to leave her untreated in that condition, and if she is miserable, I would say she is seriously ill enough to need medication. The problem with congestion is that cats can stop eating if they can't smell their food, and if a cat stops eating, they become prone to developing a fatty liver. A fatty liver is fatal without treatment, so it's best to avoid that. I would take Miss Gray into a vet immediately for an exam and medication. I can give you some things you can do at home that will work well in conjunction with medications from the vet. Please keep in mind they cannot be used as a substitution for seeing the vet. First, you can try starting her 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. 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. Since she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her 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.