Cats with Cold: Dealing with Excessive Saliva
Why Does a Cat With a Cold Salivate?
Typically, cats with a cold do not salivate. However, it's important to differentiate between common colds and viral infections. If you notice your cat has a cold and is also drooling, this is usually a sign of a viral infection, which could be a combination of herpesvirus and calicivirus infections.
Since pet owners may not be able to accurately diagnose the cause at home, it's advisable to take your cat to a veterinary clinic for PCR testing. Once diagnosed, treatment should be initiated promptly. Respiratory infections caused by herpesvirus, also known as feline rhinotracheitis, can be fatal in some cases, so delay is not an option.
How to Treat a Cat's Cold with Salivation:
Treatment for a cat's cold should be tailored to the symptoms displayed. If your cat is merely sneezing, has a runny nose, and drools, with mild symptoms, providing warmth, adequate nutrition, and possibly some overthecounter cat cold remedies may suffice.
However, if your cat exhibits additional symptoms such as watery eyes, red conjunctivae, and coughing, these are signs of a more severe cold. In such cases, it's best to consult a veterinarian for treatment or to determine the cause and obtain medication that targets the specific symptoms.
Important Tips:
During the treatment of a cat's cold, it's crucial to isolate your pet for their safety and to prevent secondary infections that could worsen their condition.
In addition to colds, other diseases can also cause a cat to drool. To learn more about why cats might drool, you can read our article, "Why Does My Cat Drool?"
