Can Your Cat Catch A Cold?
Feline Upper Respiratory Infection
The viruses that cause colds in people are generally species-specific. Except perhaps under the rarest of circumstances, the viruses that make people sick with a cold are incapable of causing illness in cats. So, if you’re wondering “can cats catch a cold from people,” the answer is almost always “no.”
On the other hand, several feline viruses (e.g., feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus) and even a few bacteria do cause clinical signs that look a lot like those that people with colds develop. Upper respiratory infections can occur in any cat but are most common in kittens or under-vaccinated adults who have had contact with other cats.
Cats seek relief from most of the same cold symptoms as we do, including watery eyes, a runny nose, fever, sneezing, loss of appetite and a feeling of lethargy. They can also lose their voice, or rather, their meow. Cat colds typically last from one to four weeks depending on how quickly they’re diagnosed and treated. There is an incubation period, the time period from point of infection to when clinical signs become apparent, of 2–10 days. It is thought that the incubation period is the time of highest contagion.
Although cats can’t spread the virus to people, they can spread it to other cats.
No matter how uncomfortable your cat gets, though, you should never give her over-the-counter medicines meant for people. The most important thing is to take your cat to the vet for care before you do anything. Once you consult with your veterinarian to determine the diagnosis, you will know how to deal with your cat’s cold and what treatment options to follow.
CAT COLD SYMPTOMS
Some common symptoms of the infections that cause “kitty colds” include:
- Sneezing
- Discharge from the eyes or runny nose; this may be watery or thick and clear, white, yellow, or green.
- Excessive swallowing (if there is drainage into the back of the mouth and throat).
- Coughing
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Raised third eyelid (The third eyelid provides an extra layer of eye protection for cats and many other animals. Other names for the third eyelid include the nictitating membrane, nictitans and haw. Arising from the corner of the eye nearest the nose, the retractable third eyelid can be hidden from view or can extend across the surface of the eye. It is white to light pink in color and lies on top of the eye, but underneath the eyelids. It contains cartilage and a tear-producing gland at its base. When irritated, it can appear reddened.)
PRIMARY CAUSES OF COLDS IN CATS
“Colds” in cats are usually caused by infection with certain types of viruses. Feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus are the most common. In some cases, secondary bacterial infections can develop, which may lead to pneumonia.
Cats are also sensitive to change, so if your kitty is feeling stressed out over something like recuperating from being spayed or neutered, being boarded or a change of residence, her immune system may be weakened, which can trigger a cold.
Bacteria and viruses are very contagious and are present in the saliva and discharge produced by the eyes and nose. Healthy cats can get infected when they come into direct contact with a sick cat. Cats with retroviruses are especially vulnerable to the contagions, both through direct contact or indirect contact with contaminated objects.
IMMEDIATE CARE & WHAT TO GIVE A CAT FOR A COLD
- Keep the eyes and nose free of discharge using a soft cloth or paper towel moistened with warm water.
- Offer warmed canned cat food or meat-based baby food to encourage your cat to eat.
- Provide plenty of fresh water for drinking.
- Do not try to give your cat any kind of medication without consulting your vet as many human medications are toxic to cats.
- Cats who are not interested in food or have especially severe or worsening symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian.
DIAGNOSIS
A thorough physical exam is usually sufficient to diagnose an upper respiratory infection. If your cat is not responding to treatment as expected, blood tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests may be necessary to determine the underlying cause(s) of a cat’s symptoms and plan more aggressive treatment.
HOW TO TREAT A CAT WITH A COLD
Increase the humidity in your home. Using a vaporizer that produces warm moist air (or placing the cat in a steamy bathroom) will help the nasal passages and sinuses to drain. If you can get your cat to hang out in a steamy bathroom that can help open nasal passages while fighting infection. For those cats especially resistant to the idea, have their favorite person accompany them and encourage them with head scratching or petting.
Also, try having your kitty sit adjacent to a vaporizer with a little Vicks VapoRub added to it. Try for 30 minutes a day for two or three days. It helps relieve congestion just like in newborn babies.
If your cat has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection, your veterinarian will probably prescribe antibiotics. The viral infection, meanwhile, will usually be dealt with by the cat’s own immune system.
When your kitty is congested she can lose her sense of smell, which can result in a loss of appetite. You may be able to entice her into eating with special treats such as a teaspoon of tuna, sardine juice, raw liver, chicken baby food with no onions or a few ounces of honey and yogurt.
If your cat is reluctant to eat, you can soak dry food in water or warm up canned food to slightly more than room temperature. It may make it more palatable and enticing to eat because it brings out the natural odors of the food.
Always provide plenty of fresh water for drinking. Monitoring your cat’s hydration level is also extremely important. You can get an estimate on how hydrated she is by placing a bit of her skin on the back of her neck (the spot where a mother cat would pick up her kitten) between your thumb and forefinger and holding it like a teepee for five seconds, Osborne says. It should snap back to its original position in less than a second. Most vets estimate one percent dehydration for each extra second it takes to return to its original position. Dehydration levels above three to four percent are considered worthy of a trip to the vet.
Another way to measure hydration is to check your cat’s gums. They should be a soft pink color and wet and slippery (like a human’s gums). If your cat’s gums are red and they feel tacky or sticky on your finger then your cat is dehydrated and a trip to the vet is strongly advised.
If your cat is not eating or is dehydrated, he may need to be hospitalized to receive fluid therapy, nutritional support, and other treatments until it is safe for him to come home to continue his recovery.
OTHER CAUSES OF COLD-LIKE SYMPTOMS IN CATS
Nasal polyps and foreign objects like grass awns—sharp grass seeds that can burrow into a pet’s tissues—can cause symptoms similar to a cold, although they often start on one side of the nose and then spread to the other. Allergies, respiratory irritants, chronic infections, and benign or cancerous tumors are other causes of cold-like symptoms in cats.
LIVING AND MANAGEMENT
Once your cat returns home, continue any medications or other therapies as directed by your veterinarian. Also keep your cat’s eyes and nose clean of discharge. Make certain that your cat is eating. Cats who go without food for even a short period of time are at risk for developing hepatic lipidosis, a condition involving the liver that is potentially fatal. Cats who are infected with feline herpes virus or calicivirus may have occasional recurrences of their symptoms.
If your cat’s condition fails to improve as expected, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Additional diagnostic work may be needed.
PREVENTION
There are many viruses that can cause upper respiratory infections in cats. Fortunately, there are vaccines available for two of the most common: feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus. Be sure your cat receives the initial series of injections followed by any boosters that are recommended by your veterinarian.
If you have several cats in your home, is it especially important to prevent contagious viruses and illnesses from spreading from one cat to another.
Preventing direct contact between cats is ultimately the best way to avoid infection. If you are bringing home a new cat that has come from a breeder or shelter, it is important to have her visit the veterinarian before introducing her to any cats you currently have. Keep in mind that your new kitty may not yet be showing symptoms, so limited exposure and diligence in cleaning and sanitizing is very important in the first 1–2 weeks after adoption.
In addition to vaccination, disinfection is another highly effective way of minimizing environmental exposure. In high to minimal-risk situations, it is advisable to regularly disinfect shared items such as litter boxes, food bowls, and bedding.
Remember to wash your hands frequently when your cat is not feeling well, regardless of the diagnosis.
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