Do Cats Get Colds?
Cats can catch illnesses that look like human colds, but they’re different respiratory problems.
When people say a cat has a cold, they mean the cat has symptoms similar to what we get when we’re sick with a cold.
Most cat cold symptoms come from viruses.
Cat Cold Symptoms
Cats with colds may have symptoms including:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Discharge from the eyes or nose
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Sores in the mouth
- Corneal ulcers
Most cats get better on their own within 7-10 days.
But some cats might get sicker with other problems, like bacterial infections or pneumonia.
If your cat gets a bacterial infection, you might see yellow-green discharge from their eyes or nose. This can block their nose so much that they can’t smell or taste food, making them not want to eat.
If your cat gets pneumonia, they will cough and have trouble breathing and might need to stay at the vet.
How Do Cats Get Colds?
Most cat colds come from viruses. About 90% are from two main viruses: herpes and calici.
Feline Herpesvirus
Cat herpes is very easy to spread between cats. It’s often found in places with lots of cats, like shelters and rescues.
Once a cat gets herpes, they’ll have it forever.
Most cats will have times when the virus is sleeping and not causing problems. During these times, they’ll seem completely healthy.
Feline Calicivirus
Cats with calicivirus show symptoms that look like those of herpes virus. Both viruses spread easily between cats.
Cats with calicivirus are more likely to get mouth sores and ulcers than cats with herpesvirus.
Both viruses affect only cats and cannot spread to humans.
Both viruses have vaccines that are recommended as essential shots for kittens and adult cats.
The vaccine may not stop you from getting sick, but it can make your symptoms milder and keep you from getting very ill.
How Vets Diagnose Cat Colds
When your cat seems sick with a virus, the vet will check them carefully.
Make sure to tell your vet about your cat’s health history and when the symptoms started.
After examining your cat, the vet may suggest basic tests to check for any cold-related problems.
These tests might include blood tests and chest X-rays to look for pneumonia or other issues like asthma or fungal infections.
If your cat keeps getting bad colds, your vet might suggest a special test called a PCR panel to find out exactly what germ is making your cat sick.
For this test, the vet takes samples from your cat’s eyes and nose using swabs, then sends them to a lab to check for germs that cause breathing problems.
Cats with mild cold symptoms usually don’t need this special test.
How to Treat a Cat With a Cold
Simple cat colds usually get better on their own, but you can help your cat feel more comfortable at home while they heal.
These include:
- Keep your cat with you in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The humidity can help relieve nasal congestion.
- If the air in your home is dry (during winter for example), use a humidifier to help relieve airway irritation.
- Reduce your cat’s stress during recovery. This may mean keeping her confined to a smaller, quiet room with all of her essentials close by (litter box, food, water, and warm bed) and using pheromone products.
Serious cases or those with bacterial infections need antibiotics.
These medicines can be applied to the skin or taken by mouth at home.
Cats with herpesvirus, especially those with weak immune systems or FIV, may need antiviral drugs.
If your cat has breathing problems or won’t eat, she might need to stay at the vet for a day or two until she gets better.
Recovery and Management of Cat Colds
Most healthy cats get better from a cold on their own within 7-10 days.
If your cat gets very sick and needs treatment from a vet, getting better might take longer and be harder.
Cat Colds FAQs
Can humans catch cat colds?
No, cats can’t pass their cold or flu symptoms to humans.
Is there over-the-counter cold medicine for cats?
Don’t give your cat any medicine without checking with your vet first.
