Essential Cat Cold Medications for Home Use

Significant fluctuations in day and night temperatures can often weaken the resistance of the respiratory mucosa. Cats, when exposed to cold stimuli, may struggle to adapt to these changes quickly, leading to a cold. Additionally, if a cat sweats after exercise and is then exposed to a cold breeze, it is also susceptible to catching a cold.

Symptoms of a Cat's Cold

In the early stages of a cat's cold, you might notice symptoms such as a runny nose, excessive eye discharge, and in some cases, diarrhea or an unpleasant odor from the mouth.

With a mild cold, a cat's spirit and appetite may remain unchanged, allowing them to continue their usual activities of eating, playing, and resting. However, cats with lower overall health may exhibit more severe reactions.

Severe colds in cats are quite noticeable, with symptoms such as ulcers on the surface of the eyes and inside the mouth. The cat may become very sleepy, develop mouth ulcers, sneeze frequently, have watery eyes, vomit, become dehydrated, and suffer from diarrhea. These symptoms are often accompanied by a slight increase in body temperature.

Moreover, if the cold progresses to bronchitis, the cat may experience a persistent rise in body temperature, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing, among other systemic symptoms.

Cats rely on their sense of smell to stimulate their appetite, and the flu can impair this sense, thereby affecting their appetite.

Treatment for a Cat's Cold

It's important to note that colds are more common in kittens, as their immune systems are not as robust. Even a slight chill or infection can lead to a cold in these young felines.

What Home Remedies Can You Use for a Cat's Cold?

If a cat has a simple cold, you can administer a fruit root glycyrrhizin oral liquid, which is effective in relieving coughing, asthma, and phlegm, while also providing antiinflammatory and antiviral properties.

In cases where symptoms include a runny nose and coughing, additional treatments such as nebulization, antiviral eye drops, and nasal drops may be necessary.

Pet owners should also ensure that their cats maintain a balanced diet to boost their immune systems.

Care for a Cat with a Cold

Keep your cat indoors, avoid bathing or taking them outside, use a litter box for waste, and keep the windows closed to minimize drafts, but allow for occasional ventilation.

Do not let your kitten lie on the floor or tiles (especially if using air conditioning or a heat lamp), and maintain a constant indoor temperature of 25 degrees. Avoid changing the cat food or feeding anything other than what the vet has recommended.

Should your kitten vomit or cough, be sure to take photos or videos to document the symptoms, which can be invaluable for the vet's assessment.