Do you ever hear your cat sneeze or sneeze from the outside? When you’ve looked at them, did they seem a little off? Do they have watery eyes? Are they feeling a little sorry for themselves? Maybe you even imagined a swollen stomach. nose? If your cat were human, you’d swear it had a cold. Can cats catch colds?
While it may not be as severe as the common cold that we get in humans, cats can still get it. A cat cold (or upper respiratory infection in cats) can be as mild as a human cold. It can become more serious and potentially even fatal. rare cases.
URIs infect cats in much the same way as they do humans – they can even cause depression-like behavior. They also exhibit similar physical symptoms. Let’s take a closer look.
Can Cats Get Colds? 3 FAQs
They can, and they do so from the same cause as humans. Viral infections can cause colds. bacteria. A viral infection can also spread through the air. This infection is often referred to in cats as feline upper respiratory infection.
The symptoms of the infection include a runny nose, sneezing, and headaches.
1. Can All Cats Get a Cold?
All cats can get a common cold, but outdoor cats are more susceptible to being infected by virus droplets. URIs are usually spread through the air by sneezes, and other particles from infected cats.
This means that cats who come in contact with other cats more often are more vulnerable than those who keep their cats indoors.
Cats who have had vaccinations and regular shots are also far less likely to contract URIs – though it does occasionally occur, even if symptoms are less severe.
2. Can cats get colds from humans?
A cat might catch Viral infection can occur from human contact. But don’t worry. There are two types of viruses that can cause colds in cats and humans. A virus that thrives in a human can’t usually survive in a cat’s system. A viral illness is not easily transmissible between cats and humans.
The most common viruses that can cause colds are:
- Rhinovirus
- Coronavirus
- Respiratory syncytialvirus
- Parainfluenza virus
Though it is not common for bacteria to transfer between cats or humans, it is possible. Despite this, the chances that one person will get a cold from another are very slim.
The bottom line is that a cat may indeed catch your virus, but it’s very unlikely to cause a severe infection or cold. These viruses are more likely to be transmitted to exotic cats than to more common breeds.
Side fact: Common pets are also at greater risk of contracting the flu from their owners. For example, ferrets can get the flu from their humans. Dogs are blessed in that they cannot catch the flu from humans.
3. Can cats catch colds from getting wet and cold?
It is common to believe that you can catch a cold by getting wet or cold. A person cannot catch a cold by just being exposed to these conditions. Colds can be caused by bacteria and viruses.
But what does happen is that being subjected to adverse conditions heightens stress and tiredness and breaks down the body’s resistance to viruses. However, your cat still needs to be infected by the virus.
Cats are more susceptible to hypothermia from cold weather and rain. Frostbite can occur if cats are exposed to snowy oricy conditions. Even if they have a cold, it is best to keep them indoors.
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease
The name for a cat cold sounds serious, but in most cases, it’s not life-threatening. Severe symptoms can cause secondary infections that could be more dangerous. These secondary infections can be more dangerous for older or very young cats.
Common symptoms of a Cat’s Cold
It’s pretty easy for a human owner to tell if their cat is feeling ill. A cat that is acting out of character will be listless or uncharacteristically isolated. These are some signs that a URI is common.
- Congestion
- Blot nose can cause open-mouth breathing
- Dehydration
- Excessive coughing
- Excessive sneezing
- Fever (A) pet thermometer. This is a great idea for the home.
- Loss of appetite
- Watery or red eyes
- Runny nose
These can all manifest in varying degrees of severity.
What to do if your cat has a cold?
If your cat does indeed have a cold, you’ll be happy to hear that there are some things you can do to make its life just a little bit more comfortable. Even a cat’s life can use a bit more comfort, right?
Turn up the humidity
A good thing room humidifierA vaporizer or humidifier will be very useful in such situations. A humidifier can make the air more breathable, especially for those living in dry climates.
Get rid of all excess goop
You may want to try to gently dab or wipe any excess discharge from your cat’s nose. Older cats may not be able to keep the area in question as clean as they’d like. If your cat objects to this, that’s fine. It’s just an extra assist if it needs it.
If your cat has red, puffy or wet eyes, a gauze pad, or light cloth, will clear the goopy residue.
Keep food handy and keep your cat occupied.
An ill cat might stop eating. It may be because it is not able to eat. smell food. But who wants to eat when you’re feeling down anyway? Encourage your cat’s regular eating habits. You may need to purchase something more exceptional tasty wet food.
Keep it warm and cozy
A warm blanket and a warm spot in your room (maybe closer than the radiator?). You will be most welcome. You might also enjoy more cuddles. affectionate cats’ spirits up. It will also help you to keep your spirits up. eyeWhether it is in a better or worsening condition.
Keep it away From Other Cats
Keep your cat away from other cats, especially if they are not vaccinated. URIs and viruses can be highly contagious.
Do Not Offer Human Remedies
Do not give your cat any hand-me-down or human medication. Only use medication that is prescribed specifically for you pet. It is suitable for it.
Is there any treatment for cat flu?
Cat flu is not curable. Most cats are fairly healthy and have an inbuilt resistance to it.
The tricky bit with the viruses that cause URI is that they can lay dormant in a cat’s system for life once contracted. This means that if for some reason, your cat’s immune system is under stress, the URI may recur.
If secondary infections are suspected, a vet might prescribe antibiotics or another medication.
Is there a way to prevent cat flu?
The best defense against cat flu is to keep up your cat’s annual vaccinations. These vaccinations can be started as early as 9 to 10 weeks of age. Vaccines can be very effective for cats who have not yet contracted the virus. Your cat may have an existing virus that can be left dormant. This could not prevent a recurring URI.
How do you consult a vet when your cat has a bad cold?
How severe should a cat’s cold be to bring it to the vet? If your cat seems to have been suffering from solid URI symptoms for four days or more, it’s time to consider asking a vet for advice. This applies even more to cats who are very young, old, or sick.
Final Thoughts
In the vast majority of cases, URIs pass by fairly quickly – at most in a week or two. Mild symptoms can be experienced by healthy cats. The worst symptoms include a runny nose, eyes, congestion, sneezing, and difficulty in breathing.
There are cases when URIs can cause more serious problems. So it’s always best to make sure that the symptoms are indeed alleviating within a reasonable time. A little TLC can help. long You both will feel better.
