Cat Colds: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Cats can develop upper respiratory infections that are commonly referred to as “cat colds.” While they aren’t the same viruses that cause human colds, they can cause similar symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, and nasal discharge.

Most cat colds are caused by viral infections and resolve within seven to 10 days, although some cats develop complications that require veterinary treatment.

Do Cats Get Colds?

Yes, cats can develop illnesses commonly called "cat colds," but they are not caused by the same viruses that cause colds in people.

A cat cold is a general term used to describe upper respiratory infections that produce symptoms similar to those of the common cold in humans, such as sneezing, nasal discharge, and watery eyes.

Most cat colds are caused by viral infections, which is why they are often referred to as viral upper respiratory infections rather than true human-style colds.

Cat Cold Symptoms

Cats with a cold commonly develop sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, and other signs of an upper respiratory infection.

Common symptoms of a cat cold include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Discharge from the eyes or nose
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Mouth sores (oral ulcers)
• Corneal ulcers

For many otherwise healthy cats, these symptoms improve on their own within 7–10 days.

However, some cats develop complications, including secondary bacterial infections or pneumonia.

A secondary bacterial infection may cause thick yellow-green discharge from the eyes or nose. Severe nasal congestion can also reduce your cat's ability to smell or taste, leading to a decreased appetite.

Cats that develop pneumonia may cough, have difficulty breathing, and require hospitalization for supportive care and treatment.

What Causes Cat Colds?

Most cat colds are caused by highly contagious viral infections, with feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus responsible for about 90% of cases.

These viruses spread easily between cats, particularly in environments where multiple cats live together.

Feline Herpesvirus

Feline herpesvirus (also called feline rhinotracheitis virus) is one of the most common causes of upper respiratory infections in cats.

Because it spreads easily, outbreaks are frequently seen in shelters, rescues, breeding facilities, and multi-cat households.

Once infected, cats carry the virus for life. Many cats experience long symptom-free periods when the virus remains dormant.

However, stressful events—such as boarding, grooming, illness, or other situations that suppress the immune system—can reactivate the virus and cause temporary symptoms like sneezing and runny eyes.

Feline Calicivirus

Feline calicivirus causes many of the same upper respiratory symptoms as feline herpesvirus and is also highly contagious.

Compared with herpesvirus, cats infected with calicivirus are more likely to develop painful mouth ulcers and other oral symptoms.

Fortunately, both feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus infect only cats and cannot be transmitted to people.

Vaccines against both viruses are considered core vaccinations for kittens and adult cats. Although vaccination may not completely prevent infection, it can significantly reduce symptom severity and help protect against serious disease.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Cat Colds

If your cat is showing symptoms of a viral infection, your cat’s veterinarian will perform a thorough examination.

It’s important that you give your vet a thorough medical history about your cat, including the onset and nature of your cat’s symptoms.

Based on their exam findings, your veterinarian may recommend routine diagnostic tests to check for possible complications of a cold.

These tests may include blood work and chest X-rays to check for pneumonia or other conditions like asthma or a fungal infection.

For cats with recurrent, severe upper respiratory signs, an upper respiratory PCR panel may be recommended by your cat’s veterinarian to figure out what virus or bacteria is causing her symptoms.

This test is performed by collecting secretions from the eyes and nose with swabs and submitting them to a laboratory, where they are analyzed for pathogens that cause respiratory disease.

For cats with mild symptoms, a PCR test isn’t usually performed.

How to Treat a Cat Cold

Most mild cat colds improve with supportive care at home, while more severe infections may require veterinary treatment.

Cats with mild upper respiratory infections often recover without prescription medications, but supportive care can help keep them comfortable during recovery.

Helpful home care measures include:

• Sitting with your cat in a steamy bathroom while you take a hot shower to help relieve nasal congestion.
• Using a humidifier if your home is dry to reduce airway irritation.
• Reducing stress by providing a quiet room with easy access to food, water, a litter box, and a comfortable bed.
• Using feline pheromone products if recommended by your veterinarian.

Cats with more severe illness—or those that develop a secondary bacterial infection—may require antibiotics, which are typically prescribed as oral or topical medications.

In some cases, veterinarians may also prescribe antiviral medications for cats suspected of having feline herpesvirus, particularly if the infection is severe or the cat has an immune-compromising condition such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

If your cat is having difficulty breathing, refuses to eat, or becomes severely ill, hospitalization may be necessary for one to two days until they are stable enough to continue treatment at home.

Cat Cold Recovery and Management

Most healthy cats recover from a mild cat cold within 7–10 days without the need for medical treatment.

During recovery, continue monitoring your cat's appetite, energy level, breathing, and nasal or eye discharge. Most uncomplicated viral upper respiratory infections improve with supportive care and time.

Cats that develop more severe symptoms or complications—such as secondary bacterial infections or pneumonia—may require a longer recovery period and additional veterinary treatment.

Following your veterinarian's treatment plan and minimizing stress during recovery can help support healing and reduce the risk of complications.