Identifying Cat Cold Symptoms: Signs & Tips

Identifying a Cat's Cold: Key Signs to Look Out For

When a cat catches a cold, it's important to recognize the symptoms early. Here's what to watch for:

Red and Swollen Eyes: Look out for redness, tears, or excessive eye discharge. There might be an increase in mucus and crusty eye boogers.

Conjunctivitis and Corneal Issues: The eyes may swell, and the cornea could become inflamed or even ulcerated, making it difficult for the cat to open its eyes.

Nasal Congestion: In severe cases, the cat may struggle to breathe through its nose, resorting to mouth breathing.

Drooling: This can be a sign of mouth inflammation or glossitis, leading to excessive saliva production. Severe cases may also include a decrease in appetite, leading to weakness.

Sneezing: Persistent sneezing can be a common symptom.

Loss of Appetite and Fever: High fevers, reaching up to 40°C, can make the cat feel very uncomfortable. With a blocked nose, the cat may not be able to smell food, resulting in a lack of appetite.

While these symptoms are similar to those in humans, there are a few unique to cats, such as excessive eye discharge and tears, and abnormal conjunctiva and cornea conditions.

In the early stages of a cat's cold, you might notice frequent sneezing, clear nasal discharge, excessive tearing, and a lot of eye mucus, along with drooling.

In more severe cases, expect symptoms like coughing, loss of appetite, excessive sleepiness, fever, thickened nasal discharge, congestion, openmouth breathing, and hoarseness.

How to Treat a Cat's Cold

If the cold is mild, ensure the indoor temperature is comfortable (around 25°C) and wellventilated. Keep food and water clean and nutritious. Gently wipe your cat's eyes and nose with a clean, soft cloth, and consider using a humidifier to help with congestion. If medication is needed, respiratory infections are often treated with petspecific amoxicillinclavulanate potassium, enrofloxacin, or mafenide acetate.

For more severe cases, it's crucial to consult a veterinarian. They may prescribe oral medications and eye drops, and provide instructions for home care. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary, including intravenous fluids and monitoring.

If you have multiple cats, separate the healthy ones from the sick cat until it has fully recovered from the cold.

Remember, cats should never be given human cold medications, including those for children. These can be toxic to cats. If you're unsure about treating your cat's cold, it's best to seek advice from a vet or an online pet healthcare professional.