can a cat catch a cold

Can cats get a cold? Yes! Feline Upper Respiratory Infection or ‘cat colds’ are very similar to human colds. Cat colds are typically not considered life-threatening, however, in some cases, symptoms may become severe and lead to a more dangerous secondary infection.

Can cats get a cold?

Yes, they can. Your cat may have a cold if they sneeze or sniffle, but you may be curious as to how it got started in the first place. And, more crucially, how to steer clear of it going forward.

Just like colds in humans, cat colds are contagious. Because they are more likely to interact with other cats than indoor cats, outdoor cats are therefore more likely to contract the cold virus.

Bacteria or viruses are the main causes of upper respiratory infections (URI) in cats. Although it is not transmissible to humans, cats can readily contract it from one another, particularly in crowded areas. Therefore, if your cat was in close quarters with another cat who had an upper respiratory infection and you just boarded them and they are acting like they have a cold, it’s likely that your cat has a cold as well.

Selecting a trustworthy boarding facility can also lessen the possibility of raising your pet’s stress levels and decrease the likelihood that your cat will get a URI.

How did my cat catch a cold?

Your cat may have a cold if they sneeze or sniffle, but you may be curious as to how it got started in the first place. And, more crucially, how to steer clear of it going forward.

Just like colds in humans, cat colds are contagious. Because they are more likely to interact with other cats than indoor cats, outdoor cats are therefore more likely to contract the cold virus.

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) brought on by bacteria or viruses are known as cat colds. Although it cannot spread to humans, it can quickly spread among cats, particularly in confined spaces. Therefore, if your cat was recently boarded and now has a cold, it’s likely that your pet was in close proximity to another sick cat.

Selecting a trustworthy boarding facility will lessen the possibility of raising your pet’s stress levels and lower the likelihood that your cat will get URI. We treat your pet like it’s our own at South Sacramento Pet Hospital. Visit our FAQ section here if you would like more information or would like to register your pet for boarding with us.

What are the signs of colds in cats?

You might observe that your cat is displaying one or more of the following symptoms if they have a cat cold:

sneezing
sniffles
watery eyes
runny nose
mild fever

FAQ

How do you treat a cat with a cold?

What to Do if Your Cat Has a Cold. If your cat has a cold, you can help them feel less uncomfortable by wiping their runny nose with a clean cloth, and runny eyes with a cloth and saline solution. You can also run a humidifier so the air isn’t too dry.

How do you tell if a cat has a cold?

Cats with colds may have symptoms including coughing, sneezing, discharge from the eyes or nose, lethargy, and sometimes fever. For many cats, these symptoms are will go away on their own in about 7-10 days. However, some cats may experience complications, such as a secondary bacterial infection or pneumonia.

Can indoor cats catch colds?

Outdoor cats often catch colds from contact with other outdoor cats. However, even solitary indoor cats can come down with colds, despite an apparent lack of exposure. That’s because cats don’t always develop colds immediately after exposure to a virus.

Can I pass my cold to my cat?

No, cats cannot get colds from humans. The vast majority of viruses are highly species-specific and will not survive in a different host. Some bacterial infections can be transmitted to and from humans and cats, but this is rare. Cats can get COVID-19 from humans and may show mild symptoms, but this is extremely rare.