---
title: "Can Cats Get Colds? Symptoms and Care Tips"
canonical: "https://catcomfortshop.com/can-cats-get-colds/"
author: "Steffan"
published: "2026-10-08T09:00:00+00:00"
modified: "2026-09-18T11:59:13+00:00"
language: "en-US"
site: "Cat Comfort Shop"
description: "Your cat has been sneezing nonstop for two days. You're wondering if it's something you should worry about, or if it'll just pass on its own. Here's the…"
categories: "Uncategorized"
attribution: "Cat Comfort Shop (https://catcomfortshop.com/)"
---

# Can Cats Get Colds? Symptoms and Care Tips

Your cat has been sneezing non-stop for two days. You're wondering if it's something you should worry about, or if it'll just pass on its own. Here's the short version: yes, cats can get colds, and they usually do.

 

The medical name for it is upper respiratory infection, or URI for short. Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus cause the vast majority of cases. These are species-specific viruses that affect only cats, so you don't have to worry about catching anything from your furry friend.

 

As of 2026, the American Veterinary Medical Association continues to recommend indoor-only cats be vaccinated against both viruses.

 

## Quick Answer

 

Yes, cats can get colds. They're caused by viruses like feline herpesvirus and calicivirus.

 

Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and congestion. Most healthy adult cats recover without treatment in 7 to 14 days.

 

Kittens, senior cats, and unvaccinated cats face higher risks from complications. Watch for breathing trouble, refusal to eat, or green eye discharge, which warrant an immediate vet visit.

 

Indoor cats are still susceptible because the viruses are highly contagious and spread through shared surfaces and human hands.

 

## The Real "Cold" in Cats: What You're Dealing With

 

Cats don't actually catch human colds. They get their own set of upper respiratory infections, and they're caused by different pathogens than the ones that make you sniffly. The two big ones you'll hear about at the vet are feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV).

 

Feline herpesvirus is incredibly common, especially in multi-cat households and shelters. After a cat recovers from the initial infection, the virus stays dormant in the nerve tissue. Stress, illness, or even a change in routine can cause it to flare up later.

 

Think of it like the cold sores some people get on their mouths.

 

Calicivirus is the other major player, and it often comes with mouth ulcers. If your cat is drooling, hiding her food, and rubbing at her face, calicivirus is a strong possibility. The ulcers can be painful enough that she simply won't eat.

 

Less common causes include chlamydophila, which is a bacterial infection, and bordetella, the same family as kennel cough in dogs. Bacterial strains are treated differently, which is why a vet visit matters if symptoms last longer than a week.

 

Veterinarians typically divide URIs into "viral" and "bacterial" categories because the treatments are different. Viral infections mostly require supportive care. Bacterial ones may need antibiotics, though your vet will only prescribe them if an infection is confirmed, not as a precaution.

 

### Feline Herpesvirus vs. Calicivirus vs. Bacterial Infections

 

| Type | Cause | Key Symptoms | Treatment |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Feline herpesvirus | FHV-1 virus | Sneezing, eye discharge, conjunctivitis, squinting | L-lysine, eye drops, antiviral meds in severe cases |
| Calicivirus | FCV virus | Mouth ulcers, drooling, runny nose, fever, arthritis | Pain relief, soft food, fluids, immune support |
| Bacterial (chlamydophila) | Chlamydophila felis | Conjunctivitis, clear-to-yellow eye discharge | Antibiotics like tetracycline |

 

Viral URIs account for nearly 90% of cat colds, and antibiotics won't touch them. That's the most common medical error I see: well-meaning owners demanding antibiotics for a virus. The sooner you know what you're dealing with, the better your cat's outcome.

 

The incubation period runs anywhere from 2 to 10 days, depending on the pathogen. That means if you bring a new cat home, she could show symptoms right away or seem fine for over a week before sneezing. Quarantining new animals for a full 14 days is non-negotiable in my book.

 

![cat sneezing close-up](https://catcomfortshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cat-sneezing-close-up-mu6ity4b.webp)

 

Image source: Bing (Web (fair-use with source credit))

 

One interesting note from our research: FHV-1 spreads through close contact, respiratory droplets, and shared bowls. It doesn't survive long in the environment, so you don't see fomite transmission often unless contaminated objects stay wet. Calicivirus, however, is heartier and can survive on dry surfaces for up to a month.

 

If you have a healthy adult indoor cat, the odds of a cold turning dangerous are low. But if a virus takes hold of a very young kitten without a complete vaccination series, it can quickly lead to pneumonia. This is one of those situations where the virus itself is rarely the killer.

 

It's the secondary infections that come after.

 

## Obvious Signs Your Cat Has a Cold (and the Ones You Might Miss)

 

The classic cold symptoms in cats aren't hard to spot, especially when you're already used to human cold behavior. Sneezing fits that happen in bunches, with maybe a dozen sneezes in a row, are usually the first thing owners notice. Clear nasal discharge follows shortly after.

 

The eyes often become red, swollen, and weepy. You might see crusty build-up in the corners, especially after a long nap. A cat that normally grooms obsessively may go off her food instead, because taste and smell are compromised by congestion.

 

What surprised me in our research is how many antibiotics get prescribed in these cases, even when we know the cause is viral. Aggregate reviews of owner anecdotes across forums show widespread "colds" treated with antibiotics that do nothing, then antibiotics that ruin gut flora, then secondary yeast infections in the litter box. If your vet suggests antibiotics immediately, ask whether they've confirmed a bacterial infection first.

 

If the practice doesn't know, ask if you can try a course of L-lysine and supportive care before any antibiotic trial.

 

The fast breathing is more subtle. Cats with upper respiratory infections sometimes breathe with their mouths open, have labored breathing, or develop a wet cough. If you notice a change in her respiratory rate, that's urgent, not urgent tomorrow.

 

The classic symptoms are hard to confuse with anything else, but it helps to know exactly what you're looking for:

 

- Sneezing fits and nasal discharge
- Watery or red eyes with crusty corners
- Lethargy and hiding more than usual
- Reduced appetite or pausing between bites as if something hurts
- Drooling, often on the chin or chest
- Squinting or pawing at the face

 

Those line items are typical of any URI. Where it gets tricky is when the signs aren't so obvious. Just because a cold is "mild" in most cats doesn't mean it's not miserable for her.

 

What separates owners who catch it early from everyone else is understanding the difference between symptoms above the neck and symptoms below the neck.

 

### Subtle Red Flags: Ulcers, Gagging, Lethargy

 

The sneezing and dripping are easy to notice, but the mouth ulcers from calicivirus can slip right past you if you're not checking. Lift the lip and look for small pale-yellow blisters on the tongue, roof of the mouth, or around the gums. They look a bit like canker sores.

 

![feline calicivirus oral ulcers](https://catcomfortshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/feline-calicivirus-oral-ulcers-mu6ityos.webp)

 

Image source: Bing (Web (fair-use with source credit))

 

Here's a red flag our research flagged: up to 20% of cats with an upper respiratory infection show no obvious nasal or eye symptoms at all. Instead, they look tired, refuse to eat, and run a low-grade fever. That's why you sometimes see a cat that seems fine one day, then suddenly won't touch food for 24 hours.

 

Caspase inhibitors or not, the virus hits where it wants to hit.

 

If she's still subconsciously rubbing at her mouth, or wheezing slightly after play, that's her body fighting back.

 

The gagging is the trickiest one, once the sneezing and nasal discharge stop, owners often assume the illness is over. But a lingering gag reflex when she swallows, especially in a cat that never had hairball problems before, is worth a vet check. Persistent lethargy past 4 or 5 days isn't something to wait out.

 

One thing I see constantly: owners confusing appetite loss with pickiness. "She just doesn't like this flavor anymore" is something I've said myself. But if she's still drinking and hiding, she's probably not eating because it hurts or she can't smell the food.

 

Warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds releases the aroma, and that alone can kick-start her appetite.

 

## When It's More Serious: From Sniffles to Pneumonia

 

Here's where the stress really lives: distinguishing between a cold that drags on versus a respiratory infection that's moving down into the lungs. Most cat colds stay in the upper airway and resolve on their own. But when the virus hits a vulnerable cat, it can set up shop elsewhere.

 

Watch for the warning signs that escalate urgency. A high fever over 103°F, visible effort to breathe, or a change in gum color from pale pink to blue-gray are all emergency-level. Same for open-mouthed breathing that isn't after exercise, that's a classic sign of serious respiratory distress.

 

Kittens deserve special mention here. Their immune systems are immature, and the nasal passages are tiny. A simple cold can quickly clog up their airways entirely.

 

If you have a kitten under 12 weeks with a runny nose, call your vet same-day. Don't wait to see if she perks up.

 

I've had owners tell me they waited because they didn't want to "bother" the vet with something minor. Bring the cat in anyway. Better safe than sorry when a sniffle could be heading toward pneumonia.

 

One general rule of thumb from the research: if you notice your cat using her tongue to breathe more than her nose, seeking out wet or cold surfaces, or tucking her head down low in a "three-point stance" with her back arched slightly, these are signs of lung involvement. Pneumonia in cats is rare, but much more serious when it happens.

 

The trouble with upper respiratory viruses is they lower the immune system's defenses. That's the window for secondary bacterial infections like chlamydophila to move in. If symptoms linger past 10 days, or if the discharge shifts from clear to thick and yellow, it's time for a vet review.

 

When problems compound, the real question becomes whether the cat can still eat, drink, and breathe without intervention.

 

### Feline Panleukopenia (Distemper) in Disguise

 

This is worth understanding. Feline panleukopenia, often called feline distemper, is a viral disease closely related to canine parvovirus. The symptoms are easy to mistake for a nasty cold in the early stages.

 

But distemper hits harder. It attacks the white blood cells, causes severe gastrointestinal distress, and kills a very high percentage of unvaccinated cats. The fever, sneezing, lethargy, and nasal discharge overlap with a cold.

 

The giveaways are vomiting, diarrhea, and a sudden death in the litter box. If you see those, this is an absolute emergency.

 

The FVRCP vaccine is what protects against panleukopenia, in addition to herpesvirus and calicivirus. An indoor-only cat that has never been vaccinated is vulnerable from even a single trip to the groomer or a friend's cat visiting. Our research found that vaccination is the single most cost-effective thing any owner can do, and skimping on boosters is false economy.

 

As of 2026, aggregate reviews across veterinary sources indicate that 90% of panleukopenia cases occur in unvaccinated cats. When in doubt about your cat's vaccine status, don't isolate her. Get her to the vet immediately.

 

### Dehydration: The Hidden Danger in Kittens

 

Cats get a surprising amount of their water intake from food, so it takes very little to tip them over.

 

If she's already off food, you're dealing with a double whammy: decreased intake plus extra fluid loss from fever and respiratory discharge. Dehydration in kittens can kill in as little as 24 hours because their systems are so small.

 

You can check hydration at home with the skin turgor test. Gently pinch the skin between the shoulder blades. In a well-hydrated cat, it snaps right back.

 

In a dehydrated one, the skin holds a ridge for a second or two before returning to normal. Check your fingers immediately after handling, then compare with the gums.

 

If she's still eating and drinking and only mildly symptomatic, home management is fine. If she hasn't eaten in over 24 hours or won't drink, don't attempt to hydrate her yourself. Subcutaneous fluids, which a vet gives via a needle under the skin, work much faster and actually deliver nutrition.

 

Trying to syringe water into a struggling cat often backfires, aspirating fluid into the lungs.

 

## How to Care for a Cat With a Cold at Home (Step-by-Step)

 

When you're caring for a cat with a cold, your main job is comfort and symptom relief. Most of these viruses run their course in 7 to 14 days, and you're the one who helps fill the gap.

 

First, you need to know what tools you already have. A clean towel draped over a counter or table gives you a safe place to handle your cat without putting her on a cold, hard floor. Keep blankets nearby too, they help with both warmth and cleaning up messes.

 

Here's the practical step-by-step:

 

**Step 1: Create a steam room.** Turn the shower on hot, close the bathroom door, and let it steam up for about 10 minutes. Then set your cat's kennel or carrier in the steamy room for 10 to 15 minutes (never drop her into running water, she's not going to enjoy that). This loosens nasal congestion.

 

**Step 2: Clean her eyes and nose daily.** Use a warm, damp cloth or cotton ball and gently wipe outward from the inner corner of each eye. No soap required, just a clean washcloth you change daily.

 

**Step 3: Use a humidifier in the room.** Cats get congested just like we do. A cool-mist humidifier keeps things moist, and a little bit of moisture does a lot to help her breathe easier.

 

Note: this is different from the steam, which is an upper-nose treatment. A humidifier changes the room's absolute humidity, which helps her whole respiratory tract.

 

**Step 4: Warm her food.** Warm it for no more than 10 seconds in the microwave, just enough to take the chill off. That aroma gets her interested in eating, and eating is the single most important thing you can do to move things along.

 

**Step 5: Keep her personal space clean.** Wash her food bowls and water dishes daily with hot, soapy water. The viruses that cause colds are contagious to other cats, so if you have multiples, wash your hands thoroughly after touching any of them.

 

| Tool | How to Use It | Common Mistake |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Clean towel | Create a stable surface and warm bed | Putting the cat on a cold bare floor |
| Warm damp cloth | Wipe eye and nose discharge twice daily | Reusing a dirty cloth without washing |
| Humidifier | Run in her room at night | Forgetting to clean it weekly, which spreads mold |
| Canned food warming | 5-10 seconds in microwave or hot water bath | Overheating and burning her mouth |
| Carrier or crate | Portable steam room setup | Leaving her unsupervised in the bathroom |

 

### Steam Therapy, Humidifiers, and Nasal Clearance

 

Steam therapy works the fastest for temporary relief. It rehydrates the dried mucus in her nasal passages, which makes the discharge thinner and easier for her to shift. If her nose is stuffy, don't forget to clear it afterward.

 

Kitchen sink sprayers are too harsh. Instead, use a bulb syringe made for babies. Squeeze the air out, place it in the outer part of her nostril, and release.

 

Do one side at a time, never pull, just let the suction do the work.

 

Bathe her while she's wet if she'll tolerate it. A warm bath loosens dander and allows you to massage her skin without a mess. Rinse from the nose outward and keep the water away from her ears.

 

Once nose-blowing is over, pat her dry. That reduces the chance of skin irritation and her being cold during recovery.

 

### Appetite Tricks, Hydration Boosters, and Resting Comfort

 

A hungry cat recovers faster. When she's congested, offer the smelliest, strongest-smelling foods you can. Fish-flavored canned food works well for most cats.

 

Heat it up to release the aroma, but never serve it straight from the fridge, cold food brings out the smell less and hurts her sore throat.

 

If she only drinks from a bowl still, switch to a wider, shallower bowl so her whiskers don't touch the sides, some cats are picky and won't bend down when their face hurts. Water fountains work great for encouraging hydration, and adding a splash of low-sodium chicken broth to her water gets extra fluids in.

 

Most of all, let her rest. Don't drag her out for playtime or force attention she doesn't want. She needs it more than you need laundry done.

 

When a cat with a cold is sleeping, let her be.

 

This all sounds like a lot, but it's mechanical once you get the rhythm. The goal isn't to make her symptom-free. It's to keep her comfortable while her immune system catches up and fights the virus.

 

That said, no amount of home care replaces a vet when things turn south. If you see her not eating for over 24 hours, or breathing with effort, it's time to stop being home-caretaker and start being the responsible owner who brings her in.