That’s right — today we’re sharing a home cure for cat cold. Because imagine it or not, our sweet furry friends can get the sniffles identical to us.
Just like humans, colds in cats are often the results of a virus.
This then causes various uncomfortable symptoms that could make your fur baby feel under the weather.
Cat colds are quite common, but should still be taken seriously. They may be unpleasant on your cat, and if left untreated could cause secondary complications.
Viruses may be extremely contagious and simply transmitted to other cats, so catching and treating your cat’s cold symptoms quickly will help stop the virus from spreading too far.
Fortunately, humans cannot contract colds from cats. And the principal culprits that cause cat colds, Feline Herpesvirus and Feline Calicivirus, are easily preventable with the suitable vaccinations.
Today, we’re going to take you thru the best way to spot signs of an oncoming cold in your cat, what the risks are of your cat catching — and possibly spreading — viruses, and a few helpful home remedies for cat colds that can assist keep your fur baby more comfortable as they get well.
Away we go!
Key Takeaways – Home Treatment for Cat Cold
Here’s what you’ll be able to expect from this blog:
- Probably the most common causes of cat colds are Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus and Cat Flu. These may be easily prevented by keeping your cat up so far with their vital vaccines.
- Kittens, senior cats and cats with pre-existing health conditions are more at-risk of severe effects brought on by colds. So catching things early is the important thing to a successful recovery.
- Common symptoms of cat colds include: lethargy, coughing, sneezing, discharge coming from the eyes and nose, fever and lack of appetite, often attributable to congestion or a lack of taste or smell.
- Seek the advice of your vet if you happen to are concerned about your cat’s health before trying a home cure for cat cold.
- Home remedies for cat colds include: reducing your cat’s stress, steam therapy and air maintenance. Also keep your cat warm, hydrated, nourished and well-groomed whilst they’re sick.
What Are Cat Colds and How Do They Affect Your Cat?
Cat colds are brought on by viruses which are often very contagious and might spread quickly amongst cats. It’s critical to seek skilled medical advice out of your vet if you happen to’re in any respect concerned about your cat’s health. And it might even be empowering as a pet parent to concentrate on the names and symptoms of known feline viruses.
Common viruses that may affect your kitty include:
- Feline Herpesvirus — Characterised as an upper respiratory infection, this virus can grow to be lively again even after recovery attributable to a latency period in a cat’s nerves.
- Feline Calicivirus — One other upper respiratory infection, Calicivirus could cause nasal discharge and sneezing, in addition to oral inflammation and ulcers. In additional intense cases, the virus could cause crusting, hair loss, hepatitis, and might even be fatal.
- Cat Flu — The cat flu virus could cause symptoms reminiscent of sneezing, a sore throat, runny eyes and nose, mouth ulcers, fever, dribbling and a lost voice. If you have got a kitten, a senior cat or a cat with a pre-existing health condition, be looking out for symptoms of cat flu. It will probably be rather more detrimental to their health than for a young and healthy cat.
All of these viruses are easily preventable with the administration of the suitable vaccines. Vaccinating your cat is a crucial responsibility as a pet parent to assist keep your fur baby secure from the nasty bugs and diseases of the world.
To learn more, examine What Vaccines Do Cats Need? here.
And if you have got an indoor cat and are wondering whether or not they need vaccines too, take a look at our article on Do Indoor Cats Need Vaccines? for further info.
Symptoms of Cat Colds
Symptoms of a chilly, while just like those we experience, will present barely in another way in cats.
And so it is crucial to discover symptoms and changes in behavior which will indicate your cat is feeling poorly.
Normally lasting around 7 – 10 days, symptoms of cat colds include:
- Noticeable discharge coming from the nose or eyes
If not closely monitored, cat colds can turn into secondary complications reminiscent of pneumonia or unpleasant bacterial infections.
Signs that your cat’s cold has progressed into something further
If left untreated, here’s indications that the virus has progressed:
- Discharge coming the nose or eyes that has turned yellowish-green in color
- Congestion because of this of discharge
- Lack of taste and smell which may result in a refusal to eat.
Treating Cat Colds at Home
In case you are in any respect concerned about your cat’s health, you need to seek the advice of your vet to get a correct diagnosis and skilled medical advice and treatment.
More importantly: at all times ask your vet before trying remedies at home.
Cat colds will often clear up on their very own. Nevertheless intervention could also be required in case your cat is particularly distress or it becomes evident that their cold has progressed right into a secondary condition or infection.
There are a number of at-home remedies which some have found to be effective within the treating and soothing of cat cold symptoms:
- Stress reduction — Cats are particularly vulnerable to stress, small changes or lapses in routine sending them into distress behaviors, which may exacerbate symptoms in the event that they have a chilly.
It will probably be useful to create a calmer space on your cat while they get well. For instance, keep them in a separate room with all their home comforts and essentials. Provide them with calming treats in the event that they are still as much as eating. And look into pheromone plug-ins to assist keep them calm from the within out.
The calmer the cat, the more energy there body could have to fight the cold and stave off further infection.
- Air maintenance — Air can get particularly dry during winter months; it’s prime cold and flu season. Using a humidifier can bring some moisture back into the air and help with any airway irritation your cat could also be experiencing because of this of their viral infection.
Just a few things to assist keep your kitty comfortable
And here’s some extra suggestions, to maintain your cat as calm and cozy as possible:
- Make certain they’re kept warm — Similar to humans, cats with colds must be kept warm and snuggly to assist them fight off the infection.
- Keep them hydrated and nourished — Your cat could have a decreased appetite after they have a chilly. Make certain they’re receiving appropriate hydration and nourishment. Seek the advice of your vet for further guidance on the best way to do that in case your cat is refusing food and water.
- Grooming — After they are feeling under the weather and particularly congested, cats are inclined to stop grooming themselves and in order a pet parent it is crucial that you simply take up the responsibility of keeping them clean and well-groomed to avoid hair matting and general discomfort.
- Clean away any discharge and gunk brought on by the cold — If discharge across the eyes and nose are left to accumulate, it might be uncomfortably crusty on your cat. So wipe away any excess discharge from these areas to assist keep your kitty comfortable in recovery.
The Wrap-Up
Your fur baby being poorly may be difficult and distressing. But with research, time and a little bit bit of additional TLC your cat might be back to their old self very quickly!
So there we go, a number of handy ways to maintain your kitty comfortable when cold and flu season hits.
Above all else, keep an in depth eye in your cat. Get to know them and the warning signs of after they are off their game. It will provide help to to catch any illness quickly, so you’ll be able to get them back to chasing their catnip toys very quickly.
From our own experience with Yoda, we understand how stressful it’s coping with a poorly kitty. Our recommendations are to present your cat a number of fuss and make their environment as comfortable and calm as possible.
That way, you’ll be able to rest easy within the knowledge that you simply are doing every little thing in your power to maintain your fur baby completely satisfied and healthy.
Do you have got experience with cat colds? How did you manage your unwell kitty? Are there any secure and effective at-home remedies which you found really helped your feline friend to get well quickly? We wish to know!
