Can Cats Get Colds Or Flu? | Sneezes, Sniffles, Next Steps

Yes, cats can catch contagious respiratory infections that feel like a cold, with sneezing, runny eyes, and a stuffy nose.

Your cat is sneezing, the eyes look watery, and the nose is dripping. It’s natural to wonder if cats get “colds” or “flu.” In cats, most sniffly illnesses are upper respiratory infections (URIs). They spread between cats, can linger for days, and can hit kittens and older cats harder than healthy adults.

This article helps you sort mild sniffles from urgent warning signs. You’ll get a clear symptom checklist, practical at-home steps, and a simple way to track what’s changing.

Can Cats Get Colds Or Flu? What Owners Notice First

People often say “cat cold” or “cat flu.” Vets usually call it an upper respiratory infection. Many cases start in the nose, throat, and eyes. Sneezing and watery eyes tend to show up early. A cat may blink more, squint, or get crust at the inner corners of the eyes. Nasal discharge may start clear and turn thicker as irritation builds.

Appetite can drop fast because cats rely on smell to eat. A blocked nose can turn meals into a shrug. Low energy is common too, along with hiding or sleeping more than usual.

Clinical signs vary, but Cornell’s respiratory infections overview lists common signs such as discharge from the eyes or nose, coughing, sneezing, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, lethargy, and reduced appetite.

Why “Cat Flu” Isn’t The Same As Human Flu

When people say “flu,” they usually mean influenza viruses. In day-to-day cat talk, “cat flu” points to a different cluster of germs. The Merck Veterinary Manual’s feline respiratory disease complex page describes a cluster of illnesses where feline herpesvirus type 1 and feline calicivirus are common causes, with other organisms sometimes involved.

So the pattern can look like a human cold, but the usual viruses are cat-specific. That’s one reason you don’t catch your cat’s herpesvirus or calicivirus from a cuddle.

How Cats Catch Respiratory Illness

Cats spread these infections through saliva and secretions from the eyes and nose. Direct contact is the big driver: grooming, nose touches, shared bowls, and close living quarters. Germs can also hitch a ride on hands, carriers, bedding, and toys.

Some cats become carriers after they feel better, then shed virus later, often when stressed. VCA’s feline upper respiratory infection article notes that with feline herpesvirus, many cats become chronic carriers and stress can reactivate signs.

Signs That Often Fit A Mild URI

• Sneezing fits a few times a day
• Clear eye or nose discharge
• Nasal stuffiness and louder breathing while asleep
• Less interest in food, yet will eat warmed wet food
• Normal breathing effort at rest

Many adult cats get better with careful at-home care and a vet call if signs drag on or worsen.

Red Flags That Need Same-Day Vet Care

• Open-mouth breathing, belly pumping, or obvious struggle to breathe
• Blue or gray gums or tongue
• Refusing food for 24 hours, or a kitten not eating for 12 hours
• Severe lethargy plus feverish feel and thick discharge
• Eye held shut, eye cloudiness, or a visible sore on the eye

The Cornell page also notes that, in rare cases, cats may have trouble breathing. Treat breathing trouble as urgent.

Can Cats Get A Cold Or The Flu In Winter? Triggers And Timing

Cats can get URIs in any season. Cold air doesn’t “cause” a virus, but more indoor contact between cats can raise spread. Stress can also set off flare-ups in cats that carry herpesvirus.

VCA describes an incubation period of about 2–10 days before signs appear, and many uncomplicated cases last around 7–14 days, though signs can persist longer in some cats.

At-Home Care Steps That Help

Home care won’t erase a virus overnight, but it can keep eating and hydration on track while your cat gets better.

Make Eating Easier

Offer warm, aromatic wet food. Warm it slightly to boost smell. If your cat likes gravy-style foods, that texture can be easier when the nose is clogged. Feed small portions more often so each try feels low-pressure.

Loosen Congestion With Humid Air

Moist air can soften nasal gunk. VCA mentions increased humidification, such as sitting with your cat in a steamy bathroom for 10–15 minutes a few times per day.

Keep Eyes And Nose Clean

Use a warm, damp cotton pad to soften crust. Wipe from the inner corner outward and use a fresh pad for each eye. This reduces irritation and keeps discharge from sealing the eyelids shut.

Track Three Basics

Write down appetite, energy, and breathing at rest. “Ate half a can at 8am” is clearer than “ate some.” That detail helps your vet decide next steps if you call.

Symptom Tracker And What It Can Mean

Use this table to log what you see and stay consistent day to day.

What You See	Likely Pattern	What To Do Next
Sneezing with clear discharge	Early viral URI	Home care; call vet if worse after 48 hours
Watery eyes, mild squint	Conjunctivitis linked to URI	Clean gently; vet if eye stays shut
Thick yellow-green discharge	Inflammation plus bacterial overgrowth	Call vet; exam may be needed
Mouth ulcers, drooling	Calicivirus can be linked to oral sores	Vet visit; pain relief may be needed
Not eating and hiding	Systemic illness risk	Same-day vet call, sooner for kittens
Coughing or fast breathing at rest	Lower airway involvement risk	Urgent vet evaluation
Recurring flare-ups after stress	Carrier state with reactivation	Vet plan for flare control
One eye red, painful, tearing	Corneal irritation or ulcer risk	Vet exam soon

What The Vet May Do And Why

A vet visit checks breathing effort, hydration, mouth sores, and eye health. Some clinics use targeted testing in select cases, and treatment choices depend on what the exam shows.

Plans often include one or more of these:

• Eye medication when discharge is thick or the eyes are inflamed
• Antibiotics when a bacterial component is suspected, or when a kitten is at higher risk
• Antiviral medication in selected cases
• Pain relief for mouth ulcers so the cat will eat
• Fluids if dehydration is present

If breathing is strained or the lungs sound abnormal, the vet may suggest imaging or further tests to rule out pneumonia, asthma, heart disease, or a foreign object.

Home Hygiene When You Have More Than One Cat

You can’t erase exposure, but you can cut spread.

• Use separate bowls and a separate litter box for the sick cat.
• Handle healthy cats first, then the sick cat, then wash hands.
• Wash bedding and wipe hard surfaces the sick cat touches often.

Prevention: Vaccines And Smart Routines

Vaccines don’t block every sneeze, but they can reduce disease severity. AAHA’s core vaccines for cats lists core vaccine targets that include feline herpesvirus-1 and feline calicivirus.

Routine choices also matter:

• Separate new cats for a short period and watch for sneezing or eye discharge.
• Disinfect carriers after travel.
• Avoid crowded cat housing when possible, since close contact raises spread.

Table: Quick Call Checklist For The Next 48 Hours

This table is a simple “what now” list you can follow without second-guessing every sneeze.

Time Window	What To Check	What To Do
Morning	Appetite, discharge color, energy	Offer warmed wet food and fresh water
Midday	Breathing at rest	Seek urgent care if open-mouth breathing appears
Afternoon	Eye comfort	Clean crust; call vet if eye stays shut
Evening	Food intake total	Call vet if adult ate almost nothing all day
Anytime	Red flags	Same-day vet care for breathing trouble or blue gums

If your cat is eating, drinking, and breathing normally at rest, most sniffles settle with time. If the pattern turns sharper, don’t wait it out—call your vet and share your notes.