Does Your Cat Have a Cold? Here’s How to Tell (And Why It’s Not Just a ‘Winter Thing’)
Read time: 4 min
Sniffles, sneezes, razor blades in your throat, sleepy eyes, the unmistakable sense that you might actually be dying — sound familiar?
When the weather turns chilly, it’s natural to assume your cat might be prone to a winter cold, just like us humans. But cats don’t follow the same seasonal logic we do. Their ‘colds’ can happen any time of year: summer, winter or that confusing inbetweeny part of March where it’s somehow both at the same time.
Read on to find out how to recognise, treat and prevent colds and keep your cat feeling their best year-round.
First things first: cats don’t actually get colds (like ours)
What we call a ‘cat cold’ is usually an upper respiratory infection, most often caused by feline herpesvirus or calicivirus (yes, they sound dramatic, but they’re pretty common). Think of it as your cat’s version of a sniffly, sneezy bug. And it’s usually transmitted through contact with another cat.
Most cats carry herpesvirus. The vaccine doesn’t prevent infection, it only reduces the severity of symptoms. This virus is often latent, meaning it can flare up from time to time, usually triggered by stress rather than cold weather. When it does, you’ll see classic cold-like signs: sneezing, and runny eyes and nose.
Calicivirus, on the other hand, mainly affects young, unvaccinated cats. Once a cat recovers from it, the virus typically doesn’t cause recurring respiratory symptoms, though it can sometimes contribute to long-term issues like gingivitis or stomatitis.
Prevention relies on vaccination, combined with stress reduction and environmental enrichment to keep your cat healthy and resilient.
Signs your cat might have a cold
Keep an eye out for these symptoms, they’re your cat’s way of saying, ‘I’m under the weather’:
Sneezing and sniffling: Especially if frequent.
Runny nose or eyes: Watery, crusty or cloudy discharge can all be signs something’s up.
Coughing or wheezing: Think less hairball moment and more ‘I can’t quite catch my breath’.
Loss of appetite: If your cat’s turning their nose up at food, it could be because they can’t smell it properly.
Low energy: Less zoomies, more snoozies.
What to do if your cat’s under the weather
Most mild cat colds clear up in a week or so, but a little TLC goes a long way.
Keep them cosy: A warm, quiet spot helps your cat rest and recover. Reduce stress and keep all their essentials nearby (like water and their litter box).
Encourage hydration: KatKin is a great choice as it provides natural hydration through a high moisture content, supporting your cat’s health the way nature intended. Always keep fresh water available throughout your home, too.
Cleanliness: Keep their bedding clean and gently wipe away any discharge from their eyes or nose with a soft cloth or slightly damp cotton wool ball.
Make food extra tempting: Warm their KatKin meals to help release the meaty aroma.
Check with your vet: Especially if symptoms worsen, linger or your cat stops eating. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.