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What are the symptoms of a cat cold or upper respiratory infection?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

What are signs /symptom my cat has a cold ?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. B. DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Veterinarian

Published on May 3rd, 2019

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are very common in cats and are caused by different pathogens then what causes human colds. Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections include clear or colored discharge from the eyes or nose, coughing, sneezing, swelling of the mucous membranes around the eyes, ulcers in the mouth, lethargy, and anorexia. In rare cases, cats may have trouble breathing. Lower respiratory tract infections may cause coughing, lethargy, anorexia, and difficult or rapid breathing. Here is a link to a site with a lot of good information on this topic. I hope this helps and thank you for usinf PetCoach! https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/respiratory-infections

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 12th, 2017

    Hello again! If she is congested and has runny eyes and sneezing, I would take her into her veterinarian soon. No need to rush out today unless she worsens, but I would go within the next day or so. Your veterinarian may give her another antibiotic to try so as not to cause resistance issues. If she has recurrent URIs, your vet may do a culture to better understand what the cause of the URIs are and to ensure the appropriate antibiotic is being given. Best wishes to you and Stassi!

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    Answered By Makenzie Kurth, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 18th, 2018

    I’m sorry to hear about this. This sounds like an upper respiratory infection (URI) outbreak. The most common cause is feline herpes virus. Many cats will get by with the following support - lysine supplement- try Vetoquinol Viralys (L-Lysine) Oral Gel for Cats - treat all cats as directed on the bottle until all cats are well - try wet food or soaking kibbles and then very slightly warming the food. Cats are very smell-driven and warm wet food is smellier and more likely to be eaten by a stuffy nosed cat. - recommend a probiotic such as purina Fortiflora for every cat in the home. Odd as it sounds, we’ve found that probiotics actually speed recovery from URI’s - if any cat is squinting an eye or thick eye discharge, refuses to eat, or becomes lethargic, it’s time to see your vet. These are signs of eye ulcers and/or secondary bacterial infection. These cats will need eye ointments or systemic antibiotics. Occasionally, nebulizations or more aggressive treatment is needed. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and the kitties!

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    Answered By Rebecca, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 30th, 2017

    Hi. Those are beautiful kitties! There are multiple pathogens that can cause feline upper respiratory infections. This can present as sneezing, runny eyes, nasal discharge - like when people have a cold. Sometimes allergies can cause similar signs. URI are typically caused viruses but may also have a bacterial component. If the kitties are eating, playing and acting normal then just monitor them. Sometimes having a humidifier in a room for them, or having them hang out in a steamy bathroom while thier humans take showers can help irritated nasal passages. If it progresses to thick green or yellow discharge, not eating or being lethargic they probably should see the vet. The vet may prescribe antiviral or antibiotic medications as well as treat fever if present. If cats can't smell they won't eat, so this is one time smelly canned cat food might be a good thing. Hope they feel better soon.

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