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Cat cold, yellow eyes. How to treat URI at home without a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Persian | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 17 days old | 2.866 lbs

How to treat an upper respiratory infection or a cold in cats. My cat had watery eyes with somewhat yellow water coming from them and somewhat watery nose. How can i treat it at home because i can't go to the vet due to money issues? I mixed half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in my cat's food this morning. Wonder if it will help?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jenny, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 8th, 2018

Most respiratory infections in cats are viral induced. he likely has a secondary bacterial infection due to the yellow discharge. You can try and add anti virals to his diet such as Lysine which can be purchased at any pet store. Keep his eye and nose clean and wipe them daily. You can apply a warm compress to help with his eyes
I would try to find a shelter or rescue that can help with cost to get him treated at a vet since you likely need eye antibiotics and medicine by mouth

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on April 8th, 2017
Three months isn't too young for antibiotics, but feline respiratory infections are commonly caused by viruses, so antibiotics wouldn't help anyway. You can try giving Bruce lysine supplements, which can help with URIs in cats. You can get them OTC or from your vet. As for the conjunctivitis, he has to see a vet immediately for that. The eye is such and important and delicate structure that may problem with it should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. It's also serious he's losing his weight and eating less. Cats won't eat if they can't smell their food, so try gently warming really smelly wet food such sardine or fish based to try to tempt him to eat. There is nothing you can do at home for his eye, please take him into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see him now.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 13th, 2017
I'm sorry Ollie has been so sick! In cats, respiratory infections are often caused by a virus, and antibiotics will not work for a virus. I will give you some things you can try at home to see if that helps with his symptoms, but he does need to see the vet again for the discharge from his eyes. The green discharge is an indication of an eye infection, and if he does have one, he will need an antibiotic eye ointment to treat him. I would have him seen right away for his eyes, as any eye problem should be considered an emergency. That's because leaving it untreated can lead to vision loss. At home for his respiratory infections, you can try starting him 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. If he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him 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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My cat has a URI. How can I safely treat it at home without a vet?

I'm very sorry your kitty is sick. Respiratory infections are very common in kitties and almost all are caused by a virus, not a bacterial infection. Therefore, we do not recommend antibiotics if we are dealing with an upper respiratory infection. There are several things you can do at home though. To help with nasal and sinus congestion symptoms, I recommend using the shower to fill your bathroom with as much warm steamed air as possible and then place your kitty in the room for 10-15 minutes at a time. You can do this several times a day, the goal is to help humidify the air and allow your kitty's nasal passages to drain and clear some. You can also purchase over-the-counter treats or a gel formula containing the amino acid supplement L-lysine made for cats. These can sometimes help clear a viral infection. Follow the label instructions to know how much and how often to give to your kitty. If your kitty stops eating or drinking, you will need to have it examined by your veterinarian to avoid complications such as dehydration.

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My stray cat has yellow eye gunk, won't eat. Vet unavailable.

It is hard to tell by the information above but it is possible that a stray cats has an upper respiratory infection or infection in its eyes. I would try to find a vet sooner so antibiotics can be started if needed. In the mean time I would recommend keeping the cat in safe /warm area with plenty of food and water. hope he feels better

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My cat has yellow eye discharge and won't eat. What can I do?

I'm sorry to hear that Dr Bigotes seems to have an infection. The yellow discharge from the eyes is very common with conjunctivitis and/or ulcers and does require an eye antibiotic ointment to clear it up. Frequently cats will have a viral infection that can cause this problem as well. I would recommend using a warm compress for 5 minutes a few times a day on her eyes to help remove some of the discharge. You also can gently flush the eyes with sterile saline to remove some of the discharge to see if that makes her more comfortable. I am also very concerned that she is not eating. She may have something else going on that is causing her to loose her appetite, like an upper respiratory infection. You can try heating the food to make it smell more pungent to see if that helps her to smell it better and hopefully eat. Ultimately, I do think you need to take Dr Bigotes into your vet when you are able because she likely needs to have antibiotic ointment for her eyes and to look for an ulceration that may need further treatment. She also may need further treatment for the inappetence.

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Why won't my cat's chronic squinty eyes and raspy breathing go away?

Sometimes colds don't go away on their own, and I would have him seen by a vet. He may need medications to treat his symptoms, and the vet can prescribe that. It also sounds like he has an eye infection, and those are considered quite serious because leaving them untreated can lead to vision loss. That requires an immediate trip to the vet, and if you don't want to assume financial responsibility for him, you can take him to the SPCA. They can treat his symptoms, and can find a home for him. If you do want to take him to the vet, I would have him seen ASAP. There is few things you can do at home for him that will work well in conjunction with medications from the vet. First, you can try starting him 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. If he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him 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.

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My cat's runny eyes & congestion won't clear. Antibiotics failed.

Poor Link! In cats, respiratory infections are typically caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't work. I have a few things you can try at home. First, you can try starting him 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. If he's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him 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. I would also recommend taking him into the vet tomorrow. An antibiotic ointment could help with his weepy eyes, but those can only be prescribed by a vet. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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