Do Cats Get Colds Or Flu

Cats do catch upper respiratory infections though also known as cat flu which have similar symptoms to colds that we get.

Do cats get colds or flu. Its very common in cats and kittens and is usually caused by either the feline herpes virus FHV or feline calicivirus FCV. Cats can have a cold or even flu just as we humans can. Cat flu also known as feline respiratory disease is a little like a human cold in terms of symptoms.

Although cats do catch colds it isnt the same common cold virus that us humans catch. Human colds are caused by the rhinovirus and are host specific. Just like their humans cats can catch colds and suffer.

However this is not to say that a cat with a cold should just be overlooked and or left untreated. People cant catch cat flu and cats cant catch human colds or influenza viruses. These viruses produces symptoms similar to the common cold in humans.

That cats are susceptible to the virus is a relatively recent discovery so not all veterinarians are aware of this fact or that human beings can transmit the flu to cats. There is no cure for a viral infection however the cat can be kept as comfortable as possible by keeping it warm and treating the symptoms. Cat colds or flu can be caused by several viruses or bacteria the most common are the feline herpesvirus feline calicivirus and chlamydiosis.

Your vet may prescribe eye drops or ointment for the conjunctivitis. Cats can get both viral and bacterial sicknesses with the feline herpesvirus which can cause eye ulcers and the feline calicivirus which can cause oral ulcers being responsible for 95 percent of cat colds Dr. These are dangerous to the cat and can be fatal.

Usually a cats cold lasts for about the same amount of time as a human cold 7-10 days and they will eventually get over it as we do. He points to reports of H1N1 found in cats in the United States. Cat flu is much more common than dog flu.