Nosebleeds in Cats: Causes and When to See a Vet

Name: Nosebleeds in Cats: Causes and When to See a Vet
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-03

Yes, cats can get nosebleeds. A nosebleed in cats has many possible causes, from a bump on the nose to high blood pressure, infection, or a growth inside the nasal cavity. Some nosebleeds stop on their own and need only a routine check, while others signal a problem that needs same-day or emergency care.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

A nosebleed (also called epistaxis) is bleeding from the nose. It can be a few drops, a steady trickle, or blood mixed with discharge.
Most nosebleeds in cats are not caused by a simple dry nose. Common causes include trauma, upper respiratory infection, dental disease, high blood pressure, clotting problems, and nasal tumors [1][2].
Stay calm, keep your cat quiet, and do not tilt the head back. Apply gentle pressure and a cold pack to the bridge of the nose if your cat tolerates it.
Bleeding that lasts more than a few minutes, comes from both nostrils, or happens with trouble breathing, collapse, or facial swelling is an emergency.
Any cat with a nosebleed should see a veterinarian, even if the bleeding stops, because the underlying cause still needs to be found.

What a Nosebleed in Cats Looks Like

A nosebleed can show up in different ways. You might see fresh red blood dripping from one or both nostrils. You might see blood mixed with clear or mucus-like nasal discharge. Sometimes the blood is darker and clotted, or you notice it only as a stain on bedding or a paw.

Some cats with nasal disease also sneeze, paw at the face, snore, breathe through an open mouth, or make a noisy inhalation [3]. A cat with fungal rhinitis may develop a lump on the bridge of the nose [3]. Facial swelling on one side can point to a mass or a deep infection [4][5].

A small amount of blood after a hard sneeze is different from a steady stream. One or two drops that stop quickly is less alarming than bleeding that keeps restarting. Still, the cause matters more than the volume.

Nosebleed in Cats Causes: What Is Behind the Bleeding

The nasal cavity has a rich blood supply and a thin lining, so it bleeds easily when something irritates or damages it. Here are the main categories veterinarians consider.

Trauma and Foreign Objects

A fall, a car accident, a bite from another animal, or a hard blow to the face can break blood vessels in the nose. A foreign object, such as a blade of grass or a foxtail, can lodge in the nasal passage and cause irritation, sneezing, and bleeding [1]. Cats that go outdoors or live with other pets face more of this risk.

Infection and Inflammation

Rhinitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, and sinusitis is inflammation of the sinus lining. They often occur together, which is called rhinosinusitis [3]. In cats, chronic rhinosinusitis is often a long-term result of an earlier viral infection of the nasal and sinus lining [1][2].

Cats with chronic rhinitis may have one-sided or two-sided nasal discharge that ranges from clear to thick and pus-like, and they may have nosebleeds [2]. Fungal infections are less common in cats than in dogs, but Cryptococcus is a recognized cause, and blastomycosis has been reported in a cat with facial swelling and epistaxis [1][4]. A tooth root abscess that reaches the maxillary recess can also cause nasal inflammation [1].

If your cat has sneezing and discharge without bleeding, see Cat Sneezing and Nasal Discharge: When to See a Vet.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can make small vessels in the nose rupture. This is one reason a veterinarian will check blood pressure in a cat with a nosebleed, especially an older cat. Hypertension often comes with other conditions, so a full exam matters.

Clotting Problems

If blood does not clot normally, a small injury can bleed more than expected. Clotting problems can come from liver disease, certain toxins, low platelets, or inherited conditions. Bleeding from more than one site, such as the nose plus the gums or the intestines, raises this concern.

Tumors and Growths

Nasal tumors are a serious cause of nosebleeds in cats. A nasal angiofibroma in a 14-year-old cat caused right-sided epistaxis, facial swelling, poor appetite, and sneezing [5]. In a review of cats and dogs with nasal or nasopharyngeal disease, nasopharyngeal disease in cats was linked to stertor (noisy breathing) and trouble breathing, and it was less likely to come with sneezing [6]. That pattern is a clue that the problem may be deeper in the airway.

Dental Disease

An abscess at the tip of a tooth root can extend into the maxillary recess and cause rhinitis or sinusitis [1]. Dental disease is common in cats and is easy to overlook when the main sign is a bloody nose.

Table: Cause, Clues, and Urgency

Cause	Typical clues	How urgent
Trauma	Recent fall, fight, or accident, swelling or pain on the face	Emergency if bleeding is heavy or the cat is dull
Infection or inflammation	Sneezing, nasal discharge, noisy breathing, long-term history	Same-day to routine, depending on breathing
Dental abscess	Bad breath, drooling, chewing on one side, facial swelling	Same-day to routine
High blood pressure	Older cat, sudden bleeding, possible blindness or confusion	Same-day
Clotting problem	Bleeding from several sites, bruising, weakness	Emergency
Tumor or growth	One-sided bleeding, facial swelling, poor appetite, stertor	Same-day to urgent
Foreign object	Sudden sneezing fits, pawing at the nose, one-sided discharge	Same-day

Red Flags That Make It an Emergency

Call an emergency clinic right away if you see any of these:

Bleeding that does not slow after 5 to 10 minutes of gentle pressure
Bleeding from both nostrils at once
Trouble breathing, open-mouth breathing, or blue gums
Collapse, weakness, or a cat that will not stand
Heavy bleeding that soaks a towel
Bleeding along with vomiting blood, bloody stool, or blood in the urine
Facial swelling that appeared suddenly or is getting worse
A cat that is not eating or drinking and seems painful

Trouble breathing is a special concern. In a study of severely dyspneic cats, respiratory causes made up 33% of cases, cardiac causes 25%, and both traumatic and neoplastic causes 21% each [7]. A cat that is struggling to breathe needs oxygen and care before any detailed testing.

What You Can Do at Home While You Wait

Your first job is to keep your cat calm and safe. Stress raises blood pressure and makes bleeding worse.

Stay quiet and still. Do not chase your cat. Let it stay in a small, dim room or a carrier.
Do not tilt the head back. Tilting the head back lets blood run into the throat, which can cause choking or nausea.
Apply gentle pressure. Use a clean cloth or gauze and press lightly just below the nose, over the nostrils. Do not press hard on the bridge of the nose if it seems painful or swollen.
Use a cool pack. A cold pack wrapped in a cloth, held on the bridge of the nose for a few minutes, can help slow bleeding. Never put ice directly on the skin.
Keep the nose clean. Wipe away blood with a damp cloth so you can see whether bleeding is still active.
Do not give any medication. Do not give aspirin, ibuprofen, or any human pain reliever. Some of these are toxic to cats, and all of them can make bleeding worse. A veterinarian will calculate any dose from your cat's weight and health.
Note the details. Write down when the bleeding started, which nostril, how much, and what else you noticed. This helps your veterinarian.

If your cat is sneezing blood or has a bloody nose with eye discharge, see Cat Eye Discharge: Causes and When to See a Vet.

What the Veterinarian Will Check and Test

Your veterinarian will start with a full physical exam. They will look at the nose, mouth, and teeth, check the eyes and ears, feel the face for swelling or asymmetry, and listen to the heart and lungs. They will also check blood pressure.

Common tests include:

Blood work, including a complete blood count and a clotting profile
Blood pressure measurement
A nasal exam with a scope, if your cat can tolerate it
Imaging, such as X-rays or a CT scan, to look for masses, bone changes, or fluid
Biopsy of the nasal lining or a mass, which is the way to confirm chronic rhinitis or a tumor after other causes are ruled out [2]

A CT scan can show a mass inside the nasal cavity and areas of bone loss, as it did in the cat with blastomycosis [4]. In the cat with an angiofibroma, CT and dental radiography helped find the mass before biopsy confirmed the diagnosis [5].

Treatment depends on the cause. It may include antibiotics for a bacterial infection, antifungal drugs for a fungal infection, blood pressure medication, dental care, or surgery or radiation for a tumor. For chronic rhinitis, long-term care often includes nasal lavage, inhalation therapy, and medications that thin mucus, and some cats respond to anti-inflammatory drugs [2]. Antibiotics are used with caution because they do not fix the underlying problem [2].

Prevention and Monitoring

You cannot prevent every nosebleed, but you can lower some risks.

Keep your cat indoors or in a safe enclosure to reduce trauma and fights.
Keep up with dental care and routine exams, since tooth root problems can reach the nasal cavity [1].
Ask your veterinarian to check blood pressure at wellness visits, especially for older cats.
Watch for early signs such as sneezing, discharge, noisy breathing, or a change in appetite, and get them checked before bleeding starts.
If your cat has a chronic nasal condition, follow the treatment plan and keep follow-up visits.

If your cat has hair loss along with nasal or skin problems, see Cat Hair Loss: Causes and When to See a Vet.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article gives general guidance only. Every cat is different, and a nosebleed can look mild while a serious cause is present. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat can tell you what is happening and what to do.

Contact a veterinarian the same day if your cat has a nosebleed that stops but keeps returning, one-sided bleeding, facial swelling, bad breath with nasal signs, or a recent history of dental problems.

Go to an emergency clinic now if bleeding is heavy or does not stop, if your cat is having trouble breathing, if it collapses or seems weak, or if you see blood from other places such as the gums, stool, or urine.

Schedule a routine visit if your cat had a single brief nosebleed after a known minor bump and seems completely normal otherwise. Even then, mention it at the next exam so your veterinarian can decide whether testing is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cats get nosebleeds from dry air?

Dry air can irritate the nasal lining and make small bleeds more likely, but it is rarely the whole story. If your cat has repeated nosebleeds, ask your veterinarian to look for infection, dental disease, high blood pressure, or a growth.

Why is my cat having nosebleeds all of a sudden?

A sudden nosebleed often follows trauma, a foreign object, or a burst vessel from high blood pressure. In older cats, a tumor or a clotting problem becomes more likely. Sudden bleeding with trouble breathing or weakness needs emergency care.

What causes a cat's nose to swell?

Facial or nasal swelling can come from a fungal infection, a tumor, a dental abscess, or trauma. In one reported cat, blastomycosis caused left-sided facial swelling and a nosebleed [4]. Another cat with a nasal angiofibroma had right-sided bleeding and facial swelling [5]. Swelling on the face always deserves a veterinary exam.

Should I put anything in my cat's nose to stop the bleeding?

No. Do not put cotton, gauze, or any product inside the nostril. Apply gentle pressure outside the nostril and a cool pack on the bridge of the nose. If bleeding does not slow within a few minutes, go to a veterinarian.

Can a nosebleed in a cat be a sign of cancer?

Yes, nasal tumors are one possible cause of nosebleeds in cats. A nasal angiofibroma was diagnosed in a 14-year-old cat with one-sided bleeding, facial swelling, and sneezing [5]. Other signs that raise concern include one-sided discharge, a lump on the nose, and a poor appetite [3].

References

Rhinitis and Sinusitis in Dogs and Cats - Respiratory System. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Chronic rhinitis in dogs and cats - an overview of etiology, diagnostics and therapy. Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere, 2025.
Rhinitis and Sinusitis in Cats - Cat Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Epistaxis and Facial Swelling Due to Nasal Blastomycosis in a Cat. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 2024.
Treatment of a nasal angiofibroma in a cat using stereotactic body radiation therapy. Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association, 2023.
Association between signalment and clinical signs, and nasal and nasopharyngeal diseases type and localization in dogs and cats. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 2026.
Emergency Dyspnea in 258 Cats: Insights from the French RAPID CAT Study. Veterinary sciences, 2025.