Can Cats Get Colds?

You may have already guessed it, especially if you own a cat who has at some point in their life seemed to show all the signs and symptoms of a common cold but yes, cats can indeed get colds.

There are two different viruses that are most likely to give our feline friends colds and those are the feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. Both are highly infectious and can be brought on by stressful situations lowering their immune system enough for them to become vulnerable to the virus. They are very similar to human colds or the flu in signs and symptoms depending on severity.

Luckily for our beloved pets, they are not susceptible to catching the common cold we suffer from so it’s perfectly safe to snuggle up to your moggy when you aren’t feeling very well without risking them becoming sick too.

The same goes for the other way around, we will not catch a cold off our cat. The colds we suffer from and the colds they suffer from are more species specific and cannot pass between cats and humans. Feline colds will only affect cats and while our colds can make some of our other smaller pet’s sick, they won’t impact our feline companions.

Cat cold symptoms are quite easy to recognise because we are so used to picking up on very similar ones in humans when on the lookout for a cold. Symptoms include:

Mild colds will usually not impact their eating habits or give them a cough but as it progresses and has a more severe impact on their health, it can develop into a flu like lethargy and a disinterest in food.

How you treat your beloved pet when they’ve come down with a cold really depends on what symptoms they’re showing. If they just have a bit of a runny nose or eyes, then wiping them and keeping them nice and clean will help. If you leave moisture and discharge on their face without cleaning it off as often as you can, it can harden in the fur and cause the skin beneath to become sore.

If they have the sniffles and sneezes and any difficulty in breathing normally, a humidifier can really work wonders. Some owners will take their cats into the bathroom while they shower. The moisture and heat in the air help to unclog their sinuses and their noses. A humidifier can make the air a little more comfortable to breathe and not so dry.

While we may be reaching for the cold and flu medicine when we’re not feeling well, it’s vital we don’t give our cats anything as many ingredients in medication made for humans can be toxic to animals.

Prevention is always the best form of treatment in most cases and a cat cold is no different. Part of a standard course of cat vaccinations includes vaccinations against both feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. Getting your cat vaccinated as a preventative measure might not stop them from getting a cold and having mind symptoms but it can make sure it doesn’t progress into severe cases and debilitating illnesses.

It is common for cats to go off their food while they’re feeling unwell. Eating takes energy and if they’re tired and uncomfortable they may not get very hungry but it’s important they continue to eat to keep up their strength to get them feeling better sooner.

You can help by making their food more appealing. Providing smaller portions more often can help if the size of their meals is overwhelming them. You can also heat up their wet food or add warm water to their dry food to make a gravy. Warm food gives off more of a smell and so is usually more tempting to eat.

When your cat has a cold, it will usually clear within a week or two on its own. All you must do is support your moggy in that time and make sure they are getting everything they need along with lots of cuddles. If their symptoms don’t clear up within two weeks and they continue to be feeling unwell after that then they may need to see their vet to make sure there are no underlying issues and to give them medication to help them get back to their normal selves.

For everything you need to have your cat feeling back to their usual self and all of your other kitty essentials, take a look at our wide range of products online and in-store.