How Do I Know If My Cat Is Cold? Shivering & Cold Ears

Key Takeaways: Cat Cold Guide

The Signs (URI): A cat cold is typically an Upper Respiratory Infection. Watch for sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and loss of appetite.
No Cross-Infection: You cannot catch a cold from your cat, and they cannot catch one from you. These viruses (like Feline Herpesvirus) are species-specific.
🚫 Toxic Warning: NEVER give human cold medication (like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin). These are toxic to cats and can be fatal even in small doses.
Steam Therapy: To relieve congestion, bring your cat into a steamy bathroom (run a hot shower) or use a humidifier to help thin the mucus in their airways.
Appetite Tricks: Cats won’t eat if they can’t smell. Warm up wet food or use strong-smelling tuna juice to tempt them, as nutrition is vital for recovery.
When to See a Vet: Most colds resolve in 7–10 days. Seek help immediately if discharge turns yellow/green, breathing becomes labored, or your cat hasn’t eaten in 24 hours.

How Do I Know If My Cat Is Cold Symptoms Checklist

If you are wondering, “how do i know if my cat is cold,” it is important to distinguish between your cat feeling chilly temperature and your cat being sick. In the context of a URI, you are looking for signs of respiratory distress rather than shivering.

Cat cold symptoms typically affect the nose, throat, and eyes. Watch for these common signs:

Respiratory Issues Frequent sneezing is the most common sign. You may also notice a runny nose or nasal congestion.
Eye Irritation Watery eyes, redness, squinting, or discharge (clear, yellow, or green) are telltale signs.
Behavioral Changes A sick cat often becomes lethargic (loss of energy) and may hide more than usual.
Loss of Appetite Cats rely heavily on smell to stimulate their appetite. A stuffy nose means they cannot smell their food, leading to a refusal to eat.
Fever A higher-than-normal body temperature.

Warning Sign If you notice ulcers (sores) in the mouth or on the tongue, this may indicate Feline Calicivirus (FCV) specifically.

Transmission Can My Cat Catch My Cold

A common fear among pet owners is cross-species transmission. You might ask: Can my cat catch my cold? or conversely, can you catch a cold from a cat?

The short answer is no.

Cat colds are usually caused by feline-specific viruses, most commonly Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) or Feline Calicivirus (FCV). Human colds are typically caused by rhinoviruses or coronaviruses specific to humans.

You cannot give your cat your cold.
Your cat cannot give you their cold.

How do cats catch it? Cats catch colds from other cats. Transmission occurs through direct contact with saliva or eye/nose secretions, or through shared objects like food bowls, water fountains, and bedding. Stress such as moving to a new home or boarding can also cause a flare-up in cats that are chronic carriers of the virus.

Professional Cat Cold Treatment

When searching for cat cold treatment, it is vital to know when home care is enough and when a vet is needed.

How to treat a cat with a cold medically involves diagnosis and supportive care.

Diagnosis If symptoms are severe, your vet may perform physical exams or PCR tests to identify the specific virus or bacteria.
Antibiotics It is important to note that antibiotics do not kill viruses. However, vets often prescribe them to treat secondary bacterial infections that complicate the cold.
Supportive Care In severe cases where a cat has stopped eating or drinking, hospitalization for IV fluids and nutritional support may be necessary to prevent dehydration and fatty liver disease.

Cat Cold Medicine and Home Remedies

If the symptoms are mild (eating well, active, clear discharge), you may be wondering how to treat a cat cold at home or what can i give my cat for a cold.

CRITICAL WARNING What to Avoid
Never give your cat human cold medication. drugs like Tylenol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen, or aspirin are toxic to cats and can be fatal even in small doses. There is no safe over-the-counter cat cold medicine at a human pharmacy. Always consult your vet.

Safe Home Care Homemade Medicine
While there is no “miracle” homemade medicine for cat cold and cough, specific home care techniques can act as natural remedies to speed up recovery:

Steam Therapy To help with congestion, take your cat into the bathroom with you while you run a hot shower. The steam helps thin the mucus in their airways, making it easier for them to breathe. A humidifier in their room also works wonders.
Gentle Hygiene Keep your cat comfortable by gently wiping away discharge from their eyes and nose with a warm, damp cloth. A clogged nose makes it hard to breathe and smell.
Nutritional Support Since a stuffy nose reduces appetite, how to help a cat with a cold involves tempting them to eat. Warm up canned food (do not make it hot, just warm) to release the aroma, or use strong-smelling foods like tuna juice (in water, no salt) to encourage eating.
Rest and Warmth Ensure your cat has a warm, quiet place to rest, away from drafts and other pets. Stress reduction is key to immune system recovery.

Recovery How Long Does It Last

How long does a cat cold last? In most mild cases, a cat cold will run its course in 7 to 10 days.

However, you should monitor them closely. You need to see a vet immediately if:

Symptoms last longer than 10 days.
Discharge turns from clear to yellow or green (signaling a bacterial infection).
Your cat has difficulty breathing (open-mouth breathing or panting).
Your cat has not eaten for 24 hours.

Note on Chronic Carriers Cats infected with Feline Herpesvirus often carry the virus for life. They may appear healthy but can experience recurrent “colds” during periods of stress.

Prevention

While you cannot prevent every germ, keeping your cat up to date on core vaccines (which cover Herpesvirus and Calicivirus) significantly reduces the severity of illness if they are exposed. Additionally, if you introduce a new cat to your home, isolate them for at least two weeks to ensure they aren’t bringing a cold into the household.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult with a professional veterinarian regarding your pet’s health.