Cat Sneezing Yellow Snot: What Does It Mean? (2025)

If your cat is sneezing yellow snot, it could be a sign of a bacterial infection. Cats can sneeze for a variety of reasons, ranging from no big deal to a serious illness. If your cat is sneezing persistently, it could be a sign of an underlying disease. The most common cause of acute sneezing in cats is a viral upper respiratory infection, such as feline herpesvirus or calicivirus. If the sneeze produces yellow or green snot, it can indicate a bacterial or fungal infection. Other causes of sneezing in cats include allergies, foreign objects stuck in the nasal passage, dental disease, polyps, and cancer. If your cat is sneezing yellow snot, it is important to take them to the veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and receive proper treatment.

Upper respiratory tract infection

Viral upper respiratory infections are the most common cause of acute sneezing in cats. The most prevalent viral infection is feline herpesvirus, which causes upper respiratory signs, including sneezing and discharge from the nose and eyes. Feline calicivirus is another common viral infection that affects cats and can cause similar symptoms, including sneezing, nasal discharge, and mouth ulcers. These viral infections can make cats more susceptible to developing secondary bacterial infections, which often show up as thick yellow or green discharge from both nostrils.

Chlamydophila, mycoplasma, and bordetella are common bacterial infections that can cause nasal infections in cats. Fungal infections, such as cryptococcus, are less common but can cause severe destruction and remodelling of the sinus, leading to facial asymmetry.

If your cat is sneezing with yellow snot, it is important to monitor their overall health and behaviour. If the sneezing persists for more than a few days, or if other symptoms such as decreased appetite, weight loss, or eye discharge are present, it is recommended to seek veterinary care.

To help your cat feel more comfortable while monitoring their symptoms, you can use a humidifier or vaporizer to help them breathe more easily. Keeping their living area clean and free of dust particles and other foreign matter can also help reduce nasal and throat irritation.

Bacterial infection

Chlamydophila felis, Bordetella, and Mycoplasma are the most common bacterial infections in cats. These bacteria cause primary respiratory infections in cats. Other bacteria, such as Pasteurella, Streptococci, and Staphylococci, can also cause respiratory infections, but they are often secondary invaders.

• Thick green or yellow discharge from both nostrils
• Nasal congestion
• Eye discharge
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of energy
• Drooling
• Facial swelling
• Weight loss
• Coughing or gagging
• Dehydration

If you suspect your cat has a bacterial infection, it is important to take them to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. The veterinarian may perform a physical examination, take swab samples for laboratory testing, and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

It is important to note that bacterial infections can lead to serious complications if left untreated. For example, chronic respiratory infections can lead to dental problems, pneumonia, chronic breathing issues, and even blindness. Therefore, it is crucial to seek veterinary care if your cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms or persistent sneezing.

Allergies

If your cat is sneezing due to allergies, you may also notice itchy skin. Seasonal allergies may also present as skin, ear, or digestive problems. Allergies can be treated with anti-histamines like chlorpheniramine, which can help relieve symptoms.

To help your cat with allergies, you should keep their living area clean and free of dust particles and other foreign matter that can be inhaled. This will protect your cat's nasal and throat passages from further aggravation. Avoid nasal irritants or strong odors, and use scent-free products. Don't smoke, and choose a dust-free, scent-free brand of kitty litter.

Foreign object in the nose

A foreign object stuck in a cat's nose is uncommon but possible. Cats can inhale foreign objects like grass awns, seeds, blades of grass, bits of plant material, or pieces of lint, hair, or grass. This can cause acute onset severe sneezing, pawing at the face, and unilateral nasal discharge.

If you suspect your cat has a foreign object stuck in its nose, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Your veterinarian may use a procedure called rhinoscopy to diagnose the issue. Rhinoscopy involves inserting a small camera into the nasal passages of an anesthetized cat to search for foreign objects, tumors, fungal plaques, or other abnormalities. In some cases, a nasal biopsy may also be performed to help identify the cause of the issue.

In addition to rhinoscopy and biopsy, other diagnostic tools such as imaging techniques (X-rays, CT scans, or MRI) and laboratory tests (blood work, swab samples, and tissue biopsy) may be used to confirm the presence of a foreign object and assess the overall health of your cat.

Once the foreign object is confirmed, your veterinarian will remove it using appropriate techniques. In some cases, a nasal flush may be performed, where sterile saline is forced through the nasal passages under anesthesia to remove the foreign object.

It is important to keep your cat away from potential foreign objects like grass, plants, or small household items that they might inhale. Regular veterinary check-ups and monitoring your cat's behavior can help identify and address any issues related to foreign objects in the nose promptly.

Dental disease

If left untreated, dental disease can lead to other issues, such as chronic osteomyelitis of the nasal turbinate bones, a bacterial infection of the delicate bones within the nasal sinuses. This chronic inflammation can cause distortion or destruction of these structures.

Therefore, it is important to monitor your cat's dental health and seek veterinary care if any signs of dental disease are present. Treatment of dental disease will typically alleviate your cat's sneezing.

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