Have you noticed your cat sneezing or having a runny nose and worried they might have caught a cold? Cat colds (also known as feline upper respiratory infections) are a common health issue in cats, especially during seasonal changes or in multi-cat environments. This article provides a detailed explanation of cat cold symptoms, causes, treatment methods, and home care tips to help you determine when your cat needs to see a vet.

What Is a Cat Cold?

A cat cold is medically known as "Feline Upper Respiratory Infection" (URI), an infectious disease affecting the cat's nasal passages, throat, and trachea. Similar to human colds, feline upper respiratory infections are mainly caused by viruses and bacteria, with symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, and eye discharge.

Main Pathogens of Cat Colds

Approximately 90% of feline upper respiratory infections are caused by the following pathogens:

Cat Cold Symptoms: 8 Warning Signs

Below are common cat cold symptoms that owners should watch for closely:

1. Sneezing

Cat sneezing is the most common early symptom of a cat cold. Occasional sneezing is normal, but if your cat sneezes continuously or frequently, it may be a sign of infection.

2. Runny Nose

A cat's runny nose is usually clear and watery initially. As the condition progresses, it may become yellow or green and thick, indicating a possible secondary bacterial infection.

3. Eye Discharge

Cats may develop watery or thick eye discharge, red swollen eyes, and conjunctivitis. Severe cases may develop corneal ulcers.

4. Nasal Congestion

Cats with nasal congestion will breathe through their mouth, have louder breathing sounds, and may snore. Since cats rely on their sense of smell to eat, nasal congestion severely affects appetite.

5. Decreased Appetite

Nasal congestion prevents cats from smelling food, and combined with feeling unwell, appetite noticeably decreases or they may refuse to eat entirely.

6. Fever

Normal cat body temperature is 38–39°C; above 39.5°C indicates fever. Cats with fever will be lethargic, with warm ears and nose.

7. Lethargy

Cats with colds have reduced activity levels and spend most of their time hiding or sleeping.

8. Other Symptoms

• Coughing or dry heaving
• Drooling (especially with calicivirus infection)
• Oral ulcers
• Hoarse voice

Will a Cat Cold Go Away on Its Own?

Mild cat colds can usually improve on their own within 7–10 days with proper care. However, you should bring your cat to the vet as soon as possible in the following situations:

Warning Signs That Require a Vet Visit

• Symptoms persist for more than 7–10 days without improvement
• Nasal or eye discharge turns yellow/green (sign of bacterial infection)
• Complete refusal to eat for more than 24 hours
• Difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing
• Persistent high fever (temperature above 39.5°C)
• Severe dehydration (skin loses elasticity, dry gums)
• Kittens, senior cats, or immunocompromised cats
• Eye ulcers or severe redness and swelling

High-Risk Cats

The following cats are more prone to worsening conditions after feline upper respiratory infection and should seek veterinary care early:

• Kittens under 8 weeks old
• Senior cats (over 10 years old)
• Unvaccinated cats
• Cats with FIV or FeLV
• Flat-faced breeds (such as Persians, Exotic Shorthairs)

Cat Cold Treatment Methods

Veterinarians will develop a cat cold treatment plan based on the severity of the condition:

Medical Treatment

• Antibiotics: For secondary bacterial infections (viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics)
• Antiviral Medications: Such as Famciclovir, for feline herpesvirus
• Anti-inflammatory Medications: To reduce inflammation and discomfort
• Eye Drops/Ointment: To treat eye infections
• Nasal Drops: To relieve nasal congestion
• Nutritional Supplements: Such as L-Lysine, which helps suppress herpesvirus

Supportive Treatment

• Fluid Therapy: Intravenous or subcutaneous fluids for severe dehydration
• Nebulisation Therapy: To relieve respiratory symptoms
• Assisted Feeding: May be necessary for prolonged refusal to eat

Home Care for Cat Colds

In addition to medical treatment, the following home care can help cat cold recovery:

Keep the Environment Warm and Comfortable

• Provide a warm, quiet resting space
• Avoid direct air conditioning or overly cold environments
• Use a humidifier to increase air humidity and soothe the respiratory tract

Encourage Eating and Drinking

• Warm the food: Slightly warm food has a stronger aroma and can stimulate appetite
• Choose wet food: Higher moisture content, easier to eat
• Feed small, frequent meals: Reduces pressure during each feeding
• Ensure fresh water: Maintain water intake

Clean Eye and Nasal Discharge

• Use cotton balls soaked in warm water to gently wipe eyes and nose
• Clean 2–3 times daily to keep airways clear
• Apply veterinary-prescribed eye ointment after cleaning

Steam Therapy

Bring your cat into a steamy bathroom (run hot water to create steam) for 5–10 minutes to help relieve nasal congestion.

How to Prevent Cat Colds?

Prevention is better than cure. The following measures can help reduce the risk of feline upper respiratory infections:

Vaccination

The core vaccine (FVRCP) can prevent feline herpesvirus and calicivirus infections. While vaccines cannot 100% prevent infection, they can significantly reduce symptom severity.

Reduce Stress

Stress lowers immunity and can reactivate latent viruses. Avoid sudden environmental changes, reduce multi-cat conflicts, and provide adequate hiding spaces.

Quarantine New Cats

New cats should be quarantined for at least 2 weeks before entering the household to observe for signs of infection and prevent transmission to other cats.

Maintain Environmental Hygiene

• Regularly clean litter boxes, food bowls, and water bowls
• Maintain indoor ventilation
• Viruses can survive in the environment for over 18 hours; thorough disinfection is needed

Cat Cold FAQs

Petcore Veterinary Clinic Cat Cold Services

Petcore Veterinary Clinic provides comprehensive cat cold and feline upper respiratory infection diagnosis and treatment services:

• Physical Examination: Assessing overall health and infection severity
• Viral Testing: FIV/FeLV testing to rule out immune system diseases
• Medication Prescriptions: Antibiotics, antivirals, eye drops, etc.
• Fluid Therapy: Supportive treatment for dehydrated cats
• Vaccination: FVRCP core vaccine to prevent infection
• Nutritional Advice: Dietary guidance suitable for the recovery period

Contact Us

• Yuen Long Clinic: G/F, 30A Fuk Tak Street, Yuen Long, N.T. | Phone: 2394-7300
• Sai Kung Clinic: Shop 2, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, N.T. | Phone: 2394-4228
• WhatsApp: 9889-5518
• Website: www.petcore-vet.com

If your cat shows cat cold symptoms such as sneezing or runny nose that persist for several days without improvement, please bring your cat for examination as soon as possible. Early treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and help your cat recover sooner. The professional team at Petcore Veterinary Clinic is always ready to provide quality medical care for your beloved cat.