Cat Colds: Understanding Symptoms, Causes, and How to Care for Your Feline Friend Effectively at Home and When to Seek Veterinary Help.
Cat colds are illnesses that, like human colds, cause symptoms similar to those of the common cold. If your cat sneezes a lot or has a runny nose and watery eyes, it might have an upper respiratory infection. This is the cat version of a human cold. Several germs can cause these symptoms, and they often spread among cats.
Most cat colds usually go away on their own, but you can visit your vet to get treatment options if your cat’s health gets worse. Cat owners need to know some key facts about feline colds.
How Cats Catch Colds
Cats often get colds from viruses, though bacteria can also cause them. While recovering from a virus, cats might also get secondary bacterial infections. The main viruses behind these colds are calicivirus and feline herpesvirus, also called rhinotracheitis.
These germs mostly move through the air, but water can also carry them. Cats often catch colds in crowded places with lots of other cats, like shelters or breeding centers. Even indoor cats that stay home all the time can get sick, either by interacting with infected cats or through their owners who may bring it home. Things like bad air circulation and existing health problems can make cats more likely to catch something.
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Some health problems can make it easier for cats to get respiratory infections. Cats with long-term issues like kidney disease, asthma, or allergies face bigger dangers. Winter heating systems can make things worse for cats with asthma or allergies if the vents are dusty or not cared for. This could make them more likely to get upper respiratory infections.
Some viruses can stay in a cat’s body forever even after the first symptoms disappear. These viruses can stay inactive for a while and might wake up later often when the cat is stressed or sick again. This happens with feline herpesvirus.
Can Cats Catch Colds from People?
Cats do not catch colds from humans. Most viruses are specific to certain species, so they can’t live in a different kind of animal. While it’s possible for some bacterial infections to go between people and cats, it doesn’t happen very often.
Cats can catch COVID-19 from humans, but it’s very rare and causes mild illness in cats. A bigger issue for cats is feline coronavirus. This virus can turn into a disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which is often deadly.
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Can You Catch a Cold From Your Cat?
You will not catch a cold from your cat. Viruses usually stick to infecting one species and do not pass between different animals and humans.
Do Cats Get Sick From Cold Temperatures?
Cold weather doesn’t make cats ill. But, if they are exposed for too long without the right shelter or enough food, their immune system may weaken. This can make it easier for them to catch infections. Cats that are kept warm and well-fed stay healthy even when it gets chilly outside.
Cat Cold Symptoms
When cats have upper respiratory infections, you might notice these signs:
- They sneeze a lot
- Their nose may be stuffy or blocked
- Their nose might have discharge
- Their eyes could be watery or have discharge
- Eating less food
- Moving around less or feeling low on energy
- Sores in the mouth or on the tongue
- High body temperature
- Not drinking enough water
- Enlarged lymph nodes
These cold symptoms last around 7 to 14 days.
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What You Should Do If Your Cat Has a Cold
If the infection seems mild, take care of your cat at home. Keep them in a cozy warm spot to rest. Wipe their face using a soft, damp cloth. Use a humidifier to help them breathe better. Warm up their food to make it smell stronger, as congestion can make eating less appealing.
Never give your cat human cold medicine unless a vet says it is okay. Cats handle drugs than humans, and many medicines safe for us can be deadly for them. You should never give your cat acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, because it is poisonous to them. Although aspirin might work in rare cases a vet should figure out the correct amount based on your cat’s weight.
Most of the time, a cat’s cold will go away on its own with enough time and the right care. But if medicine is needed, a vet can give safe cat-specific options.
When to Take Your Cat to the Vet
If your cat has mild sneezing with clear nose discharge but seems otherwise fine, you can skip a vet visit.
But if your cat struggles to breathe, take them to the vet because it might be an emergency.
- Constant coughing
- Discharge from the nose or eyes that is thick or has color
- No interest in eating for more than 24 hours
- Mouth sores or ulcers on the tongue
- Noticeable mood changes or signs of depression
These signs mean it’s time to see a vet. Kittens older cats pregnant cats, or those with weak immune systems might need a vet’s help even if their symptoms seem mild.
How to Treat Cat Colds
Vets work on easing the symptoms instead of treating the cause. They might suggest running an upper respiratory panel test to figure out what’s causing the sickness making it easier to choose the right treatment.
Most cat colds don’t have a specific cure, but vets can give medications to ease symptoms and treat secondary bacterial infections. They might use eye ointments to soothe sore eyes, prescribe antibiotics if they believe bacteria are involved, or suggest antiviral meds for bad viral infections.
In more serious situations, they may give fluids through an IV to treat dehydration, provide oxygen therapy, or use a feeding tube if the cat refuses to eat.
Ways to Stop Your Cat From Catching a Cold
- Follow the vaccination schedule that your vet recommends. The RCP vaccine also called FVRCP or feline distemper, helps your cat build immunity to calicivirus and rhinotracheitis, which is also known as feline herpes. Some types also protect against chlamydia. Even though vaccinated cats might still get these illnesses, they get less sick and recover more .
- Keep your cat away from sick cats or cats with unknown health conditions. Try to keep your cat indoors, or if they go outside, make sure it’s only with supervision, like on a leash or in a secure enclosed space.
- Keep your cat’s home clean and make sure there’s good airflow.
- Feed your cat a balanced healthy diet to help keep their immune system strong and support their overall health.
Source:
Date Eldredge Basedow (Updated on September 11, 2025). Can Cats Get Colds? Here’s How to Help a Cat With the Sniffles. Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/can-cats-get-colds-7492503
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