What should I do if my cat has a cold?
Yes, cats can catch colds, and their symptoms are very similar to those of humans, as they sneeze or have a runny nose.
The most common cause is a viral infection. According to statistics, about 90% of colds are caused by feline herpes virus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV).
(a) Are cat colds contagious?
Just like human colds, cat colds are contagious and can be spread when a cat comes into contact with another cat that has a cold.
However, cat colds are not contagious to humans (and similarly, your cold is not contagious to your cat).
What are the symptoms of a cat cold?
If your cat has a cold, look for one or more of the following symptoms:
Sneezing
Discharge from the eyes or nose
Third eyelid detachment
Fever
Decreased appetite
Large weight fluctuations over a short period of time
What are the symptoms of a cold in a kitten? It’s important to take care of your kitten with nutritional supplements!
In addition to the common symptoms of sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, kittens may also develop conjunctivitis or mouth ulcers, which can prevent them from eating.
Kittens that don’t eat are more likely than adults to suffer from low blood sugar or dehydration, and may not even have the energy to fight off a cold.
For kittens with colds, nutritional supplementation is important. It is recommended that kittens be fed small, frequent meals. If the kitten is reluctant to eat at all, it can be given food supplements to help replenish the nutrients.