can a cat have a cold

Yes! Cat colds are upper respiratory infections characterized by all the same symptoms as the human cold. If your feline friend is sneezing or has a runny nose there’s a good chance they have a cat cold. Today, our Smokey Point vets explain how you can help your cat feel better and when to seek veterinary care.

Feline Upper Respiratory Infection

Yes, cats can catch a cold! Cat colds, also known as feline upper respiratory infections, closely resemble human colds. Although cat colds are usually not thought to be life-threatening, occasionally they can worsen and cause a secondary infection that is much more serious. In particular, elderly or very young cats should have close supervision if they exhibit symptoms of a cat cold.

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.

How Cats Catch Colds

Cats typically catch each other’s colds via sneeze droplets, which can carry bacteria or viruses. Therefore, cats who spend a lot of time outside or in boarding facilities are far more likely to get sick with a cold.

FAQ

How do I know if my 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.

Do cat colds go away on their own?

In most cases, cat colds are harmless and will go away within 1-2 weeks. You do need to monitor their health, however, and if there is no sign of improvement by the fourth day, you should make an appointment with your vet as a persisting cold that does not get treated properly may develop into pneumonia.

What can you give a cat for a cold?

To help your cat feel better while they have a cold, increase the humidity in your house by running a humidifier or vaporizer. If your cat has a stuffy nose you can use a warm, damp cloth to gently wipe their nose. Cleanse and soothe your cat’s watery eyes by applying a saline solution with gauze pads.

Can indoor cats get 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.