Can cats catch a cold?
While cats don’t catch the same common cold that us humans do, they can catch cat flu. Symptoms are similar to that of a cold, with sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose. Your cat may also have some muscle or joint pain and not move around as much.
Like many viruses, cat flu is easily caught through sneezing, saliva or eye discharge. Kittens and older cats with poor immune systems are most at risk of catching cat flu, but in the majority of cases healthy felines will make a full recovery.
If your cat is under the weather, ensure water bowls and bedding are cleaned daily to prevent reinfection, and gently wipe away any eye or nose discharge with clean water (preferably saline). You may also need to treat your cat to some tasty treats to keep their strength up.
You can, of course, prevent or reduce the severity of symptoms by ensuring your cat is vaccinated each year to prevent cat flu – speak to your vet for advice.