Long-term Cat Cold with Runny Nose: What to Do?

Understanding Why Your Cat's Cold Keeps on Sneezing

Is your cat's runny nose not improving after what seems like an eternity? It might not just be a common cold. Typically, a cat's cold should clear up within 3 to 7 days with proper medication. However, if the issue is caused by other pathogens, such as the herpes virus or the calicivirus—common culprits behind a cat's cold symptoms—then standard cold remedies may not be effective. This is why, despite administering plenty of medication, you may not see any improvement.

What to Do When Your Cat's Cold Lingers

1. Ensure Comfortable Temperature and Hydration

Cats thrive in temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. If your feline friend is consistently exposed to temperatures below 25 degrees, especially during the colder months without adequate warmth, they are more susceptible to viral infections and cold symptoms.

During a cold, it's crucial to keep your cat snug and warm. In the summer, avoid keeping your cat in airconditioned rooms for extended periods, and consider dressing them in a small sweater. Once recovered, it's best to keep them indoors and away from baths to prevent a relapse.

Adequate hydration is also key. Place several bowls of fresh water around your cat's usual haunts to encourage drinking, as they may be too weak to fetch water from a distance.

2. Boost Nutrition

Prolonged sneezing and nasal congestion in cats could be due to nutritional deficiencies. If your cat's cold symptoms are mostly resolved but they still have occasional runny nose and congestion, it might just be a lingering effect. Alongside warmth, ensure your cat receives a balanced diet.

Enhance your cat's diet with nutritional supplements like petspecific nutritional chews, goat's milk powder, and cooked meats like chicken, beef, or fish. These can be mixed into their regular food. Additionally, consider adding probiotics to their diet to support gut health.

3. Be Alert for Cat瘟 and Feline Rhinotracheitis

If your cat's runny nose persists and worsens, it's essential to consider more serious conditions like feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu) or feline enteritis (cat瘟).

Both cat flu and cat瘟 are highly contagious and can be fatal. Symptoms of cat flu include sneezing, watery eyes, fever, and red eyes. Feline enteritis presents with vomiting, diarrhea, and persistent lowgrade fever, sometimes leading to bloody stools. If you suspect either, seek veterinary care immediately without delay.

We hope this guide on what to do when your cat's cold keeps on sneezing is helpful. For more information on managing your cat's cold, explore related content on cat colds.