Can Cats Get Colds?

Yes, cats can get colds, just like people. When a cat has a cold, it might sneeze, have a runny nose, or watery eyes. That means the cat is not feeling well.

Most of the time, cat colds are not too bad and go away on their own. But some cats, like tiny kittens or sick cats, might need help from a vet to feel better. And if one cat is sick, it can make other cats sick too  but don’t worry, people can’t catch cat colds.

In this guide, we’ll talk about what cat colds look like, when to call the vet, how to help your cat at home, and how to keep your cat from getting sick again. Let’s help your kitty feel happy and healthy!

What Is a Cold in Cats?

When a cat has a cold, it usually means they have an upper respiratory infection (URI). This is a common illness in cats that affects their nose, throat, and sometimes their eyes. It’s a lot like when people get a cold they might sneeze, have a runny nose, or watery eyes. But the viruses and bacteria that cause it are different from the ones that make humans sick.

The two main viruses that cause cat colds are feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). Herpesvirus can make a cat’s eyes red or sore, and sometimes even cause ulcers. Calicivirus can lead to mouth sores and drooling. There are also some bacteria, like Chlamydophila felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica, that can make things worse, especially if a cat’s immune system is already weak.

Most healthy adult cats can get over a cold in a week or two with some simple care at home. That means giving them a quiet place to rest, making sure they drink water, and gently cleaning their face if needed. But if a kitten, an older cat, or a cat with other health problems gets sick, it can be more serious. If they won’t eat, are having trouble breathing, or just seem to be getting worse, they should see a vet.

Cat colds can spread easily from one cat to another through sneezing, grooming, or sharing things like food bowls. This happens a lot in shelters or homes with lots of cats. The good news is, humans can’t catch colds from cats.

While many cats get better on their own, some can develop more serious problems like pneumonia or long-lasting breathing issues. Also, once a cat gets feline herpesvirus, it stays in their body and can cause symptoms again later, especially during times of stress or illness.

So, even though a cat cold might not seem like a big deal, it’s still important to watch your cat closely and give them the care they need.

What are the Common Symptoms of a Cat Cold?

When your cat has a cold, it can seem a lot like when people get sick just without the tissues and complaining. The signs are usually easy to spot if you know what to look for.

Cats with colds often sneeze a lot, have runny noses, watery or sticky eyes, and sound a little stuffed up. Since cats rely heavily on their sense of smell, congestion can make them not want to eat. You might also notice they’re more sleepy or not as playful as usual that’s a sign their body is working to fight off the cold.

Some viruses, like feline herpesvirus or calicivirus, can cause more serious symptoms. These may include red, swollen eyes, mouth sores, or even coughing. Not every cat will have these signs, but it’s good to know they can happen.

Here’s a list of the most common symptoms:

• Sneezing: This is often the first thing you’ll notice.
  
• Runny nose: The discharge might be clear, yellow, green, or cloudy.
  
• Watery or sticky eyes: The discharge might start clear but get thicker in serious cases.
  
• Stuffy nose: Your cat might breathe noisily or through their mouth if their nose is blocked.
  
• Red or puffy eyes: This can mean eye irritation or infection.
  
• Tiredness: Your cat may sleep more or seem low-energy.
  
• Fever: Warm ears or paws and a high temperature (above 102.5°F) could mean a fever.
  
• Not eating: If your cat can’t smell food, they might not want to eat.
  
• Mouth sores: Painful spots in the mouth, usually from calicivirus, can make eating hard.
  
• Coughing or hoarse voice: Some cats lose their voice or sound different if their throat is sore.

When Should You Worry?

Most healthy cats get better in a week or two. But you should contact the vet if your cat hasn’t eaten or had water for more than 24 hours, if they’re breathing with their mouth open, or if their symptoms seem to be getting worse instead of better.

Also, if their eye discharge turns thick or yellow-green, or they start squinting or showing cloudy eyes, that could mean something more serious like an eye ulcer.

The best rule? Know what’s normal for your cat. If something feels off or you’re not sure, it’s always safer to call the vet. In the next section, we’ll go over some simple things you can do at home to help your cat feel better.

Are Cat Colds Contagious?

Yes, cat colds can spread easily but only to other cats. If you live with more than one cat, it's important to know that when one gets sick, the others might catch it too. Cat colds are usually caused by viruses like feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV), which spread through sneezing, grooming, or even sharing bowls and toys.

The good news is that these viruses don't spread to humans or dogs. So, you don’t have to worry about getting sick from your cat, and your cat won’t catch your cold either. However, there are some rare bacteria, like Bordetella bronchiseptica, that could possibly spread to dogs or people with very weak immune systems but this doesn't happen often.

Even cats that stay indoors can catch colds. They might be exposed through people’s hands, clothes, or shared supplies. Also, some cats carry the virus for life after recovering from a cold. These cats might seem healthy but can start spreading the virus again when they get stressed or sick.

Here’s how cat colds usually spread:

• Direct contact: through grooming or sharing food and water.
  
• Sneezing and coughing: the virus can travel in tiny droplets in the air.
  
• Touching infected things: like toys, beds, litter boxes, or even your hands.
  
• Carrier cats: some cats don’t look sick but can still spread the virus.
  

Can People or Other Pets Catch It?

• People: Nope! The viruses that cause cat colds don’t make humans sick.
  
• Dogs: It’s super rare, but some bacteria like Bordetella might be passed between cats and dogs.
  

How to Stop It from Spreading?

If your cat has a cold:

• Keep them in a separate room for a couple of weeks, if you can.
  
• Wash your hands after touching them.
  
• Clean shared stuff like bowls and toys often.
  
• Keep things calm, since stress can make it worse.
  
• Make sure your cat’s vaccines (like FVRCP) are up to date.
  

In homes with lots of cats, or in places like shelters, colds can spread fast. But with good cleaning, quick action, and vaccines, you can help keep everyone healthy.

Can a Cat Cold Turn Into Pneumonia?

Sometimes when a cat gets a cold, they sneeze or have a runny nose. Most of the time, they get better with rest, love, and water. But sometimes, if the cold gets worse, it can turn into something called pneumonia. That means the cat’s lungs get sick and it’s harder for them to breathe.

Pneumonia can happen if the cold goes down into the lungs. This is more likely if the cat is very young, very old, or already sick. If the cat is very stuffy and breathes through its mouth, it can also get food or water in its lungs by accident. That can make things worse.

Look out for these signs:

• Breathing very fast or with their mouth open
  
• Coughing a lot or making wet sounds
  
• Blue or gray gums (that means they aren’t getting enough air)
  
• Feeling very tired or not moving much
  
• Not eating or drinking
  
• Making crackly sounds when breathing (a vet can hear this)
  

What If It Is Pneumonia?

The vet will take pictures of the cat’s chest and run some tests. Some cats need to stay at the vet hospital to feel better.

The vet might give your cat:

• Medicine to fight the germs
  
• Air support to help them breathe
  
• Steam to help their lungs
  
• Water through a tube if they’re too weak to drink
  
• A warm place to rest and heal
  

How to Help Your Cat Feel Better?

• Take your cat to the vet if they seem sicker.
  
• Make sure they drink water and eat food.
  
• Use steam from a shower to help them breathe easier.
  
• Keep things calm and quiet.
  
• Make sure your cat has all its shots.