{"id":2258,"date":"2017-11-21T06:00:38","date_gmt":"2017-11-21T06:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=2258"},"modified":"2017-11-30T22:01:49","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T22:01:49","slug":"can-your-cat-catch-a-cold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/can-your-cat-catch-a-cold\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Your Cat Catch A Cold?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can Your Cat Catch A Cold?\"\"<\/a><\/h1>\n

Feline Upper Respiratory Infection<\/span><\/h3>\n

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\u2019re wondering \u201ccan cats catch a cold from people,\u201d the answer is almost always \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0lethargy. They can also lose their voice, or rather, their meow. Cat colds typically last from one to four weeks depending on how quickly they\u2019re diagnosed and treated. There is an incubation period, the time period from point of infection to when clinical signs become apparent, of 2\u201310 days. It is thought that the incubation period is the time of highest contagion.<\/p>\n

Although cats can\u2019t spread the virus to people, they can spread it to other cats.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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. \u00a0Once you consult with your veterinarian to determine the diagnosis, you will know how to deal with your cat\u2019s cold and what treatment options to follow.<\/p>\n

CAT COLD SYMPTOMS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Some common symptoms of the infections that cause \u201ckitty colds\u201d include:<\/p>\n