Your cat sneezes coughs and has watery eyes. Don't panic; your protected may have caught a slight cold.

COLD SYMPTOMS IN CAT

The cat cold presents similar symptoms to those of humans, even if the consequences are stronger in our four-legged friends (they are more sensitive to the dysregulation of the immune system).

Typical symptoms of cat colds are:

-tearing;

-sneezing;

-exhaustion/shortness of breath;

-fever;

-runny nose and stuffy birth;

-breathing difficulties.

If the cold is poorly treated, it can also lead to watery, crusty eyes, mouth ulcers, difficulty swallowing, lack of appetite, and, in worst cases, bone loss or pneumonia.

For a healthy cat, a cold can last about ten days. Still, it is strongly recommended to consult a veterinarian at first, especially if your cat is very young (kitten), old, or fragile, if it is a breastfeeding female or if your cat is not vaccinated against coryza (cat flu).

Vaccination against coryza is recommended for kittens from 8 weeks. Therefore, vaccination is the best possible prevention, knowing there is no cure for coryza.

CAN I CATCH MY CAT'S COLD?

Know that the common cold is not contagious for humans (no risk for you or your children), but on the other hand, it is very infectious for its congeners cats. So put your hairball away to avoid infesting your other cats.

CAN MY CAT CATCH MY COLD?

In the same way, the cold that we catch in humans is not contagious for our cats, so do not panic; your felines cannot have your cold!

Note: so-called 'anthropozoonosis' diseases are diseases or infections that can be transmitted from humans to animals. This is not the case for the human cold.

WHICH BACTERIA? IS IT A VIRUS?

In most cases, cat colds are caused by feline herpes viruses or caliciviruses. However, bacteria (bordellos, chlamydia) are also possible.

Unfortunately, the pathogens favor each other, which is why several can often be detected in a cat with a cold. In addition, they are often responsible for different symptoms.

Even if the initial diagnosis is obvious (watery eyes, runny nose), it is more difficult to identify the real cause of the cold (bacteria or virus). Therefore, if necessary, your veterinarian will carry out additional examinations (such as a smear of the mucous membranes) to find out the strain responsible for your cat's discomfort.

HOW TO TREAT IT? HOW TO REDUCE YOUR PAIN? CAT COLD TREATMENT

If the origin of the cold is viral, there is no cure. However, if the source of your cat's cold is bacteria, treatment with antibiotics may be offered.

Important note: It is crucial to administer the antibiotic as prescribed until the last day, even if the symptoms have disappeared. Also, never give a human medicine to your cat.

YOUR TRUE VALUE: RELIEVING IT

With its four cute little paws, the cat can do nothing to clear its nose and bronchial tubes and wipe its eyes.

This is where you will finally be able to give him back some of all the love he gives you, and you will have to help him and cuddle him:

Clean his nose and eyes

Clean his nose with a soft (and clean) cloth and warm water. Clean his eyes with saline solution.

Humidify his bronchi and promote his breathing

It's essential to keep your cat in a humid room, such as the bathroom, as much as possible when taking a hot bath. If you have a humidifier, ensure the rooms are well-humidified. You can easily find a humidifier on the internet for around thirty euros, for example: click here.

Offer him inhalations

You can also help him with his breathing by forcing inhalations: place him in the transport cage and cover both the bowl with boiling water (with the product in it) and the cage with a large towel (the bowl is outside the cell to prevent your cat from drinking the product or getting burned). Let your cat inhale for about 15 minutes and repeat the operation 2/3 times daily.

MONITOR YOUR CAT'S TEMPERATURE

Your cat must be neither too hot nor too cold. Make sure that the temperature in your home is around 20 degrees and increase the number of blankets in your home: in their bedding and their favorite resting places (sofa, bed, furniture, etc.)

To keep your pet warm, you can use an electric heater. You plug it in for a few minutes, it will stay warm for 4 hours, and you can place it under one of the blankets. We also leave a blanket without a heater and one with it. Your little cat will quickly make his choice, and if he is too hot, he will curl up in the other blanket.

HELP HIM GAIN STRENGTH

You will mainly have to help him eat and drink properly.

For food, slightly moisten the croquettes if he has trouble swallowing them; this will make them more tender and give him a water supply. Since his taste and smell will be diminished, do not hesitate to provide him with food that has a more intense flavor than usual, and if your cat accepts it, give him food in the form of pâté. Do not hesitate to heat the pâté a little to give it more flavor.

For water, keep an eye on how much water your cat drinks. As mentioned above, feel free to mix a little water with his food if necessary. If you can (or have one), a cat water fountain can make it easier to hydrate.

GIVE HIM LOVE

This is a time when your cat needs you. Show him love and take care of him as much as possible. Do not force him to play but show him that you are there. Leave him also moments of calm so that he can rest.

The significant point is that he does not let him go outside nor meet his congeners. 

He will infest them, which means the disease will spread in the neighborhood and return to him once he is cured.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR CAT COLD

There are homeopathic remedies to relieve our little kitties during their colds. However, before making your choice, it is important to seek advice from your veterinarian. We will talk about it in a future article.