Is your cat suffering from a cold? Wondering ‘Can Cats Get Colds’? Well, the answer is a ‘Yes’. Cold is one of the irritating illnesses that comes with a stuffy nose and breathing problems. Cold gives almost the same symptoms in pets as well as in humans.
Cold gives an exhausting experience in cats that causes cough, sneezes, runny nose, fever, body aches, and more. Just like humans, the common cold is caused by a virus or bacteria even in cats. Cats experiencing a stuffy nose will likely have less appetite.
Fortunately, most cats have the resistance to resolve cold on their own. You can treat your furry friend’s cold with your own hands using natural ingredients right from your home without taking your cat to the pet. If your cat’s cold symptoms are worse, you can treat it by using the best home remedies.
Here is everything you need to know about cat colds, signs and symptoms of colds in cats, causes of colds, home remedies and prevention of colds in cats, and when to seek veterinarian treatment. Take a look!
Contents
Cold In Cats
Have you seen your cat sneezing continuously? If you have noticed that your cat has a runny or stuffy nose then, these are the common symptoms and signs of cold. Do Cats Get Cold? Yes, just like the way humans can catch a cold, the same happens in the case of cats as well.
Cold also known as upper respiratory infection is one of the common ailments we can witness in cats when the cat experiences various symptoms that range from mild to severe.
In general, cats are attacked by colds due to some viruses or bacteria. Cold in cats isn’t contagious to humans but it can easily spread from one cat to the other. When cats are suffering from cold, they may experience severe distress, and fatigue and this results in miserable conditions in cats.
Signs And Symptoms Of Cold In Cats
Cats suffering from colds may experience various symptoms just the way humans experience them. Symptoms of cold in cats range from mild signs such as sneezing, watery eyes, running nose, stuffed nose, and coughing to severe signs like fever, loss of appetite, yellow discharge from the nasal, fatigue, etc.
In the majority of cats, the aforementioned Cat Cold Symptoms will go away on their own in about a week to 10 days. Some of the cats may experience severe complications such as pneumonia also known as secondary bacterial infection.
When cats suffer from pneumonia, it can cause yellow-green discharge from the nose and eyes. In addition, cats will also experience congestion in their nose leading to breathing difficulty. As a result, cats will lose some senses such as taste and smell and sometimes, it causes a loss of appetite.
Mild Symptoms
- Stuffed Nose
- Sneezing
- Running Nose
- Sticky Discharge from Eyes
- Nasal Congestion
- Watery Eyes
- Dehydration
- Joint Pains
Severe Symptoms
- Loss of Appetite
- Fever
- Difficulty in Breathing
- Lethargy
- Increased Cough
Causes For Cold In Cats
The major and most common cause of colds in cats is viral infections. Feline Herpesvirus and Feline Calicivirus are the most common viral infections that result in the common cold in cats. These viruses are extremely contagious and spread very fast among cats.
Sometimes, the calicivirus and feline herpesvirus pathogens are airborne and can easily spread through water. In some cases, cats that stay close to another cat that is already sick may catch a cold easily. When a sick cat sneezes or coughs, the droplets coming out of that cat may cause your cat to catch a cold.
1. Feline Herpesvirus
Feline Herpesvirus is also referred to as Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus. It is highly contagious. Mostly, cats residing in boarding facilities, rescue homes, and shelters are highly prone to these viruses that result in a cold. Such cats tend to interact with other cats constantly.
Feline Herpesvirus is often characterized as an upper respiratory infection. Despite being attacked by this virus, some cats appear to be healthy while they’re experiencing dormant periods. When your cat licks or grooms another cat that is already sick then, they can be directly attacked by the virus.
After a series of events like grooming by other cats and residing with fellow cats, their immune system will be affected. This will increase the virus and lead to mild symptoms like runny eyes, sneezing, stuffed nose, etc.
2. Feline Calicivirus
Cats attacked by Feline Calicivirus may exhibit similar symptoms to cats that are infected with Feline Herpesvirus. Just like Herpesvirus, Calicivirus is also extremely contagious. Both viruses are seen in cats. These viruses don’t attack humans and aren’t contagious to people.
There are specific vaccines for the aforementioned viruses. In general, these vaccines are given to kittens and adult cats to prevent common colds and infections.
Though this vaccine doesn’t help in preventing the infection completely, this vaccine aids in diminishing the cold symptoms and helps in preventing serious complications.
Cats affected by Feline Calicivirus experience nasal discharge, ulcers, oral inflammation, and sneezing. In the worst situations, this virus can cause serious health complications such as loss of hair, hepatitis, etc.
Home Remedies For Cats Cold
Wondering How To Treat A Cat Cold At Home? If so, you’re in the right place. If you don’t want to take your cat to the vet, you can easily treat a cold by following simple home remedies. You need not rush to the veterinarian even for mild cases.
You can follow some quick remedies at home to help your cat feel better and get relief from cold. We have rounded up a big list of some home remedies for Cat Cold Treatment. Check it out!
1. Clear Nasal Congestion
The major problem that your cats face when suffering from a cold is nasal blockage. As a result, they strive hard to breathe like a normal one. To clear the blocked nasal airways, you can use steam therapy.
Turn on the hot shower in your bathroom and wait until the room gets steamy everywhere. Now, take your cat into the bathroom and let your cat relax in the humidity room for about 10 minutes. This will help clear your cat’s nasal congestion.
2. Use Humidifier
Mostly, during the winter season, the air in the homes becomes dry. To get rid of this airway irritation, you can use a humidifier. As winters are ideal for spreading diseases like cold and flu, you should be careful in maintaining the airway in your house.
Humidifier helps get back some moisture into the air and helps get rid of airway irritation that your feline friend may experience because of cold. Usually, humidifiers produce water vapor into the air that aids in lessening the symptoms of cold.
3. Cleaning
When suffering from a cold, you can witness some sticky discharge coming out from your cat’s eyes and nose. You can clean the discharge by using cotton wool balls soaked in warm water. Gently rub the cotton ball against the area near your cat’s eyes and nose a couple of times a day.
4. Steam Nebulization
Nebulization is one of the perfect ways to clear congestion in the lungs and upper airways of your cat. When nebulization is done, it throws a fine mist of water that helps diminish congestion. Make sure you give steam nebulization to your sick cat at least once daily.
5. Generate a Warm Environment
In case, the weather is extremely cool, make sure you keep the temperature warm inside the house so that your cat can spend most of the time warmly. You can even use a hot water bag or heating pad to increase warmth. Just place a heating pad in the blanket and wrap it around your cat’s body to keep it warm.
6. Provide Warm Food
If your cat has a cold, it may experience a loss of appetite. If your cat doesn’t eat, it leads to fatigue and makes it much more arduous to fight against the viral infection.
Feed your cat some warm food that carries a strong odor like Tuna Fish. In case, you’re feeding canned food to your cat, make sure you serve it warm. If you serve dry canned food, your cat may face a problem swallowing the food. In such a case, try to smoothen the dry food with water.
7. Hydration
Make sure that your cat remains hydrated and keep an eye on its water consumption. Provide a bowl of fresh water now and then and check whether your cat drinks adequate water for proper hydration.
8. Isolation
Keep your sick cat in isolation if in case you have more than one pet in your house. Make sure you isolate your sick cat by keeping it away from other pets until its cold symptoms disappear.
However, it might take at least one to two weeks to recover completely. Provide a resting place in a warm environment and a properly ventilated room.
9. Cleanliness
As your cat is sick, you must make sure you clean all its things like the litter box and food bowls thoroughly to prevent the further spread of infection.
10. Evade Stressful Events
Make sure your cat gets adequate sleep and rest as well. Don’t indulge your furry friend in stressful situations and activities so that it gets enough time to recover. Monitor the body temperature of your cat, especially at its tails and feet. If they are too hot or too cold, immediately, take your cat to the vet.
Apart from all the home remedies mentioned in this article, you need to provide constant care for your cat when suffering from a cold. It could be difficult for you to stay around your kitty. Still, being a pet parent, your cat’s health should be your top preference. Make your cat stay comfortable in its environment.
Prevention Of Cats Cold
Prevention is better than cure. Instead of treating your cat after getting a cold, take necessary preventive measures to stop your cat attacked by cold symptoms. Here are some of the steps that can be taken by the pet parent to prevent your cat from getting a cold.
- In humans, you may not find any vaccine that can prevent the common cold. Luckily, there is an exclusive vaccine for cats that prevents colds. This vaccine helps in reducing feline upper respiratory infections.
- As per the vet’s recommendations, giving vaccination to your cat is the first and foremost thing to do as a pet parent to prevent cold. RCP Vaccine boosts immunity in cats to fight against various viruses such as calicivirus and feline herpesvirus. Another vaccine that increases immunity is Chlamydia. Despite being vaccinated, your cat may exhibit some mild symptoms occasionally yet recovery will be quick.
- Better keep your cat away from other cats and cats that are already sick. Make sure you allow your cats to remain indoors all the time and let them roam in the house and outdoors i.e., an enclosed patio or garden.
- Ensure that your cat’s environment is clean and has enough ventilation in the room.
- Provide a healthy and balanced diet to your cat so that it builds the immune system.
Though these preventive measures may not completely stop the possibility of your cat catching a cold, they can limit the potential risks.
Safety Tips While Treating Cats At Home
Follow the safety tips furnished below while giving Cat Cold Treatment at home.
- Cat Colds are highly contagious among fellow cats. However, humans can’t catch a cat cold. Make sure that you have given all the necessary vaccinations that must be given to your cat.
- Provide the best home care to your cat that includes steam therapy, using humidifiers, limiting stress levels, etc., to help your cat recover from cold.
How To Know My Cat Needs A Vet When On Cold?
If your cat’s symptoms are worsening then, you need a vet consultation as early as possible. Even after 2 weeks of suffering from a cold, you don’t see any change in the symptoms of cold in your cat, you need to seek vet care.
Cats with weak immune systems, unbalanced diets, and aged cats are mostly prone to various illnesses like cold, flu virus, fever, etc. If the symptoms are complicated i.e., immense difficulty in breathing, wheezing, severe fever, loss of appetite, and more, make sure you visit the veterinarian.
If you neglect your cat from taking it to the vet even after witnessing severe cold symptoms then, it could develop into pneumonia. If you see serious infections and signs of complications in your cat, contact your vet as soon as possible.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions related to cold in cats, symptoms, and prevention of cold in cats. In this article, we have listed out the frequently asked questions along with answers. Check it out!
Which Medicine Can I Give My Cat For Cold?
Respisoothe – Antibacterial and Antiviral Pet Cough Syrup can be given to your cat to treat cold. Also, Lysine helps in treating the severity of cold symptoms in cats. Cats suffering from colds due to the herpesvirus can be treated with Lysine medicine.
What Food To Feed My Cat During Cold?
Soft foods help enhance the appetite of your cat. You can give low-sodium chicken broth or dry pet food with a splash of tuna juice to your cat with a cold. Whether you provide canned or dry food to your cat, ensure that you feed warm food while your cat is suffering from cold.
How Long Does A Cat Cold Last?
In general, cold in cats will last for up to one to two weeks.
Can Cats Catch Colds From Humans?
No, cats won’t catch cold from humans. The virus attack will depend on the species type. Hence, bacterial and viral infections cannot be transmitted from humans to cats and vice versa.
Do Cat Colds Go Away On Their Own?
In most situations, cat colds with mild symptoms that are harmless will go away on their own within 1 to 2 weeks.
Conclusion
Last but not least, don’t get tensed looking at your cat’s suffering due to cold. All you need to do is to show your little kitty that you’re there for them to give utmost care and cuddles in the most important time. This gives your cat a sigh of relief and takes much less time to recover.
Well, this is everything you need to know about ‘Can Cats Get Colds’. We hope this article has given adequate information about the symptoms of cold in cats, preventive measures, treatment, home remedies, and more.
If you still have any queries, let us know in the comments section. Stay tuned to our website to learn more about the diseases in cats, cat’s food habits, lifestyle, and more.
