Why Does My Cat’s Nose Run When I Pat Her?

A clear drip from a cat’s nose that shows up right when you pat them is usually a reflex: touch and excitement change breathing and sniffing patterns, and a small amount of thin fluid can spill forward from the nasal passages.

What matters is the pattern. If the discharge is frequent, thick, coloured, one-sided, bloody, or paired with sneezing, sore eyes, noisy breathing, lethargy, or a poor appetite, the “patting” is probably just the moment you notice a bigger problem that needs checking. Cats are quiet animals, and respiratory disease can sit in the background for a while before it’s obvious.^{1, 2}

What a cat’s nose is doing all day

A cat’s nasal cavity is lined with delicate tissue that warms and humidifies air and traps dust and microbes. When that lining is irritated or inflamed, it produces more fluid and mucus. The result can be anything from a brief, watery run to thicker, sticky discharge that crusts around the nostrils.¹

Why it can happen when you pat your cat

Patting often coincides with a few simple triggers:

• Brief nasal reflexes — touch, posture changes, and a quick burst of sniffing can shift a little clear fluid to the nostrils.
• Mild irritation in the environment — perfume, cleaning sprays, smoke, dusty litter, or pollen can make the nose more “leaky”, and handling just makes it easier to spot.²
• A flare-up of an underlying upper respiratory infection — some viral infections can settle into dormancy and reappear during stress; for some cats, busy households, visitors, or handling they don’t enjoy can be enough to tip symptoms back into view.^{6, 7}

The key detail: patting rarely “causes” disease. It’s more often the torchlight that shows what was already there.

Common medical causes of nasal discharge in cats

Viral upper respiratory infections (cat “colds”)

Upper respiratory infections are common, especially where cats mix closely (shelters, catteries, multi-cat homes). Typical signs include sneezing, nasal and eye discharge, conjunctivitis, ulcers in the mouth (in some cases), lethargy and reduced appetite.^{5, 6}

Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) are major causes. With herpesvirus in particular, signs can recur later in life, sometimes linked to stress or other illness.^{6, 7}

Secondary bacterial infection

A watery discharge that turns thick, yellow or green can suggest secondary bacterial involvement on top of viral irritation, or another inflammatory process in the nose and sinuses.^{1, 6}

Allergic or irritant rhinitis

Some cats react to airborne irritants or allergens (dust, smoke, strong fragrances, pollens). Discharge is often clear and may come with sneezing or watery eyes. Because many conditions look similar at home, persistent signs are best assessed by a vet rather than “guess-treated”.²

Dental disease and oral–nasal connections

Infection around the upper teeth can affect the nearby nasal passages. One clue is discharge that seems worse on one side, especially alongside bad breath, drooling, reluctance to eat, or obvious gum disease. Your vet may recommend an oral exam and dental imaging.²

Foreign material in the nose

Grass seeds and plant material can lodge in the nasal passages, often causing sudden sneezing fits and one-sided discharge. This may need investigation under sedation or anaesthesia to find and remove the material safely.⁴

Nasal polyps, chronic inflammation, or tumours

Long-running nasal disease can involve chronic rhinitis, inflammatory tissue changes, polyps, or (less commonly) tumours. Red flags include noisy breathing, facial distortion, repeated nosebleeds, and discharge that persists despite basic treatment.^{1, 4}

Normal vs concerning: quick checks at home

A small amount of clear discharge that appears briefly and your cat is otherwise bright, eating, and breathing quietly can be monitored.

Book a veterinary visit sooner if you notice any of the following:

• Coloured discharge (yellow, green) or thick mucus.²
• Blood from the nose, or discharge with a bad smell.²
• One-sided discharge that keeps returning (can point to dental disease, foreign material, polyps, or a mass).^{2, 4}
• Noisy breathing, open-mouth breathing, or obvious effort to breathe (urgent).²
• Lethargy, fever, or reduced appetite (cats can deteriorate quickly when they stop eating).^{2, 5}
• Eye discharge, squinting, or swollen/congested eyes alongside nasal signs.^{5, 6}

Comfort care you can safely do at home

These steps won’t “cure” the cause, but they can make breathing and eating easier while you monitor or wait for a vet appointment:

• Gently wipe the nostrils with warm, damp cotton wool to remove crusts (don’t pick at stuck scabs).²
• Use humid air (a humidifier in the room) to loosen secretions and reduce congestion.²
• Keep strong smells away — avoid aerosols, diffusers, incense, harsh cleaners, and cigarette smoke around the cat.²
• Watch food and water intake — congestion can blunt smell and reduce appetite; if your cat is eating poorly for more than a day, ring your vet.²

Avoid giving human cold/flu medicines. Many are unsafe for cats.

When to see a vet (and what they may check)

If discharge persists for more than a couple of days, keeps coming back, or comes with systemic signs (poor appetite, lethargy, fever), a veterinary exam helps separate mild irritation from infection, dental disease, or less common nasal conditions.²

Depending on findings, your vet may recommend:

• an oral and dental assessment
• swabs or PCR testing for infectious causes in some cases
• imaging (X-ray or CT) and rhinoscopy if a foreign body, polyp, fungal disease, or tumour is suspected¹

Keeping your cat’s nose healthy

• Keep vaccinations up to date (particularly core respiratory vaccines) to reduce the severity and spread of common viral disease.⁶
• Reduce exposure in high-density settings where respiratory infections spread readily, and isolate new or unwell cats where possible.⁵
• Support low-stress handling — approach slowly, keep pats brief if your cat is sensitive, and let them choose when to leave. Stress can worsen signs for some cats with chronic or recurring viral disease.⁷
• Look after dental health with regular checks and prompt treatment of dental disease.²

References

1. Merck Veterinary Manual — Rhinitis and Sinusitis in Dogs and Cats
2. PetMD — Runny Nose in Cats (Nasal Discharge)
3. PetMD — Cat Sneezing: Why Cats Sneeze and What to Do
4. Cornell Feline Health Center — Respiratory Infections
5. The Animal Medical Center — Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
6. PetMD — Upper Respiratory Infection in Cats: What Pet Parents Should Know
7. Merck Veterinary Manual — Feline Herpesvirus Infection
8. Merck Veterinary Manual — Cats: Upper Respiratory Infection Complex