Short answer? Yep. Cats get colds (full breakdown here). I’ve lived it… more than once. And you know what? It feels a lot like having a sick toddler who can’t blow their nose and won’t admit they feel bad.
I’m Kayla, and I live with two cats—Miso (chaos goblin) and Daisy (queen of naps). I’ve also spent years with dogs, and they’re a whole different ballgame (here’s why some folks think dogs come out on top). I’ve tried humidifiers, steam, special foods, and one frantic vet visit that ended with a calm nod and a “you did the right thing.” So here’s my straight-talk, first-hand review of cat colds. Spoiler: they’re real, they spread, and they’re not fun, but you can handle it.
Also, a quick rating because I’m me:
- “Do cats get colds?” Truth Score: 5/5, absolutely.
- Fun Factor: 0/5. Sneezes on my pillow? No thanks.
- Manageable at home (for mild cases): 4/5 with some simple steps.
What it looked like in my home (the first time)
Miso got the first cold after we fostered a tiny kitten. Two days later, Miso started sneezing. Then he had a wet nose, watery eyes, and little crusts in the corners. He still chased toy mice, but he ate slower. He’d sniff the food, sneeze right into it, and walk away. Cute? Kinda. Gross? Yes.
Daisy’s cold was nerve-wracking. She’s older. Her nose sounded stuffed. She hid under the bed. She skipped dinner. That was my red flag. When a cat stops eating, it’s not “wait and see.” It’s “watch close and call your vet.”
By the way, I didn’t give it to them. Human colds don’t pass to cats. But cats do pass colds to other cats. Trust me—my couch learned that the hard way.
What a “cat cold” really is (quick and plain)
It’s an upper respiratory infection (veterinary deep dive here). Usually viral. Common names: herpesvirus (the cat kind) and calicivirus. Think sneezing, runny nose, eye gunk, less energy, and less appetite. It’s not the same as pneumonia, but it can slide that way if it gets rough. Kittens, older cats, and stressed cats have a harder time. Shelters see it a lot.
The small things that helped (my home kit)
Here’s what I actually used and how it went.
- Cool-mist humidifier: 5/5. I ran it near their bed. It loosened the gunk. I cleaned it daily so it didn’t get funky.
- Steam time: 4/5. I ran a hot shower and sat with Miso in the bathroom for 10 minutes. He hated the carrier but loved the steam. Helped him breathe. No essential oils. Just steam.
- Warm, smelly food: 5/5. I warmed canned food for 10 seconds, stirred well, and added a splash of tuna water (from the can packed in water). The smell was key. Daisy finally ate.
- Fluids: 4/5. I added a little warm water to wet food. Simple. Kept them hydrated.
- Face wipes: 4/5. I used a soft cloth with warm water to wipe their nose and eyes. Gentle strokes. No rubbing hard. If the discharge turned green or thick, I called the vet.
- Rest and quiet: 5/5. I set up a cozy corner: blanket, water nearby, litter box close. Less jumping, more naps.
And yes, I washed bowls and swapped out blankets daily. Germs don’t need an invitation.
What didn’t help (and what I stopped)
- Human cold meds: 0/5. Hard no. Many are toxic to cats. Don’t guess. Don’t “just a bit.” Big risk.
- Essential oil diffusers: 1/5. Sounds cozy; cats’ lungs say nope. Can irritate airways. I shelved them.
- Forcing food: 1/5. Stress made things worse. I used smell to tempt instead. If they won’t eat for a day, that’s vet time.
When I called the vet (the red flags I watch now)
Here’s my personal checklist. If I see any of these, I call:
- Not eating for 24 hours (sooner for kittens or seniors)
- Labored breathing (open-mouth breathing, tummy working hard, blue or gray gums)
- Thick green or yellow snot, or eyes sealed shut
- Fever signs: hot ears, very warm belly, low energy
- Dehydration: gums tacky, skin doesn’t spring back
- Coughing fits or drooling
- Kitten, pregnant cat, or senior cat acting off at all
With Daisy, the not-eating thing did it. The vet gave her meds for secondary infection and eye drops. She perked up in two days and asked for snacks like a tiny bear.
How long it lasted (because time feels slow when you’re worried)
Miso’s mild cold took about 6 days. Days 2–3 were the messiest. Day 4 was better. By day 6, just a few sneezes. Daisy took a bit longer—about 9 days—since she’s older. The vet said that’s normal.
Sometimes a cat’s cold can flare again under stress. Loud house guests, a move, or, in our case, the vacuum. So I keep life calm when they’re sniffly.
Can the other cat catch it? Yep. Here’s what I did.
I tried to separate food and water bowls. I cleaned the litter scoop after each use. I washed my hands between petting them. Did I do it perfectly? No. But it slowed the spread. Also, our cats are vaccinated (that FVRCP shot). It doesn’t block every case, but in my home, it made symptoms lighter. Worth it.
If you want a deeper dive into preventive care tactics, Pet Care Services breaks them down in plain language.
My tiny gear review (stuff I’d buy again)
- Cool-mist humidifier: Yes, please. Quiet and easy to clean. I keep one for winter anyway.
- Soft, stinky wet food: 100% kept us out of trouble. Warming it helped.
- Extra bowls and blankets: Swapping them out each day made clean-up simple.
- Calming diffuser (like Feliway): Nice-to-have. Kept the peace when both cats were moody. Not magic, but I noticed fewer hissy fits.
- A cozy cave bed can work wonders too—my neighbor’s pup swears by the one in this review.
Note: I’ve tried those “miracle powders” friends push. For us? Meh. I trust my vet over “my cousin swears by it” posts.
Little things I wish someone told me
- Your cat can sneeze on you all day; you won’t catch their cold. But your other cat might.
- A cat with a stuffed nose can’t smell food well. Warm it up and make it stinky. That’s the trick.
- Cats hide pain. If your gut says “this feels off,” call your vet. You won’t sound silly. I promise.
- Hydration sneaks in with wet food. You don’t need fancy tricks for most mild cases.
Another random pro-tip for the humans: when my cats are under the weather I end up spamming my friends with “get-well soon” cat selfies in our Kik groups. Those chats can jump from wholesome pet pics to, well, spicier territory in a heartbeat. If you’re curious about how that side of the app works (and how to keep your privacy intact), take a peek at the Kik nudes guide — it breaks down etiquette, safety pointers, and smart sharing habits so you stay in control before you ever hit send.
If being cooped up with a sniffly feline has you craving some in-person adult conversation once the fur-kids are on the mend, the local dating scene has you covered—check out Santa Ana hookups here for a quick way to browse nearby singles and set up a low-pressure coffee or cocktail date the moment you can finally leave the tissue pile behind.
So… do cats get colds?
Yes. I’ve cleaned the tissues and the teary eyes and the little nose prints on the window. Mild colds are common and often pass with rest and care. But some colds need meds. Watch the red flags. Keep things calm. Warm the food. Run the humidifier. And if your cat stops