Upper Respiratory Infections in Cats: Cat Colds, Causes and Care

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Sneezing, goopy eyes and a stuffy nose are as familiar to cat owners as the common cold is to people. In cats, these signs are called an upper respiratory infection, or URI. It is among the most common illnesses in cats, particularly kittens and cats from shelters, and it usually responds to good care.

What causes it?

Most URIs are caused by two viruses:

• Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1). Causes sneezing, eye inflammation and discharge. Once infected, cats usually carry the virus for life, and signs may return during stress.
• Feline calicivirus (FCV). Causes sneezing, mouth ulcers, fever and sometimes lameness. Some strains are severe.

Bacteria such as Chlamydia felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica can also cause or complicate infections, and secondary bacterial infection is common.

These viruses do not infect people or dogs.

How it spreads

URIs spread by direct contact, sneezing, shared bowls and bedding, and on hands and clothes. Risk is higher in shelters, multi-cat homes and catteries, among stressed cats and in unvaccinated kittens. See adopting a cat from a shelter.

Signs

• Sneezing and congestion
• Clear, yellow or green nasal discharge
• Watery or sticky eyes, squinting or swollen eyelids. See cat eye problems.
• Drooling or mouth ulcers, especially with calicivirus
• Fever and lethargy
• Reduced appetite, since cats that cannot smell often will not eat
• Hoarse voice or coughing

See also why is my cat sneezing for other causes.

When to see a vet

Contact a vet if your cat:

• Stops eating for more than a day
• Has trouble breathing or breathes with an open mouth. See the emergency warning signs guide.
• Has thick, colored discharge or eye ulcers
• Is a kitten, a senior or has other illness
• Has signs lasting more than about ten days
• Has a fever or looks very unwell

Use the US vet directory to find a clinic. Kittens can become dangerously ill quickly. See kitten sneezing and eye discharge.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis is usually from signs, but your vet may take swabs for testing in severe or repeated cases. Treatment depends on the cat:

• Supportive care, with fluids and warm, strong-smelling food
• Antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections
• Eye medication
• Anti-viral drugs or supplements in some herpesvirus cases, as prescribed
• Nebulization to loosen congestion
• Hospital care and feeding tubes in severe cases

Do not give human cold medicines. Many contain ingredients that are toxic to cats.

Home care

• Keep your cat eating. Warm food to enhance smell. See wet vs dry cat food.
• Clean eyes and nose gently with a warm, damp cloth.
• Offer water and keep your cat hydrated.
• Use steam, such as a bathroom with a hot shower, to ease congestion, with the cat supervised and not in the water.
• Keep the home warm and quiet, and minimize stress.
• Isolate the sick cat from other cats.
• Wash hands and bowls, and clean bedding.

Prevention

• Vaccinate. The core vaccine includes herpesvirus and calicivirus. It does not prevent infection fully but makes illness milder. See cat vaccination schedule.
• Reduce stress. Stress triggers flare-ups. See cat-friendly home setup.
• Quarantine new cats before introductions. See how to introduce a new cat to your cat.
• Keep things clean in multi-cat homes.

Tracking recovery

Keep a short daily note on eating, discharge and energy. Improvement should be steady. If signs worsen after a few days, if discharge turns thick and colored, or if your cat stops eating, call your vet. Weigh your cat regularly during illness, since weight loss is a warning sign.

Boarding and shelters

Cats in boarding facilities and shelters are exposed to many viruses, and stress makes flare-ups more likely. If you must board a cat with a history of URIs, tell the facility and make sure vaccinations are up to date. See cat sitter vs boarding.

Hydration and appetite

A stuffy cat cannot smell its food, so it may refuse to eat. Warming wet food slightly, offering strongly scented options such as fish-flavored food and hand feeding can help. If your cat has not eaten for more than a day, it needs a vet, since cats that stop eating risk liver problems. See hepatic lipidosis in cats.

Immune support and stress

Some cats benefit from the amino acid L-lysine, though evidence is mixed, so ask your vet before using it. Reducing stress is the best-supported way to prevent flare-ups, so keep routines steady and give each cat its own resources.

Long-term carriers

Cats that recover from herpesvirus usually carry it for life and may sneeze or get eye problems during stress. Management includes minimizing stress, keeping vaccinations current and treating flare-ups early. Chronic sinus and nose problems occur in some cats, and your vet can advise. Cats with FeLV or FIV tend to get more severe URIs. See FeLV and FIV in cats.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.