🐾 Quick answer: Cat upper respiratory infections cause sneezing, runny nose, and eye discharge. Learn what causes feline colds, how to care for your cat at home, when to see a vet, and how herpesvirus flare-ups work.
Upper respiratory infections are the cat equivalent of the common cold — extremely common, highly contagious between cats, and usually manageable at home. But in kittens or immunocompromised cats, they can become serious quickly.
What Causes Cat URIs?
The vast majority are caused by two viruses: Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV). Both are covered by the core FVRCP vaccine. Importantly, feline herpesvirus stays in the cat’s system permanently — many cats have dormant infections that flare up during stress.
Symptoms
- Sneezing — often repetitive and sudden
- Runny nose (clear to coloured discharge)
- Watery or goopy eyes
- Mild fever
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
- Drooling or mouth ulcers (especially with calicivirus)
- Hoarse voice or loss of voice
Home Care for Mild Cases
For a bright, eating cat with mild cold symptoms, supportive care at home is often enough. Keep the nose and eyes clear — wipe discharge gently with warm damp cotton wool. Run a humidifier near their resting spot to ease congestion. Warm their food slightly to enhance the smell and encourage eating.
The most dangerous complication of a URI in cats is when they stop eating. Cats that don’t eat for 24–48 hours risk hepatic lipidosis — especially if they were overweight. Monitor food intake carefully.
Herpesvirus Flare-Ups
Cats with latent herpesvirus often flare up when stressed — a house move, a new pet, a change in routine. Your vet may recommend antiviral eye drops if the eyes are severely affected. Reducing stress triggers helps prevent flares.
- Cat stops eating or drinking
- Discharge becomes thick, green, or yellow
- Breathing is laboured or noisy
- Kitten with URI — always see a vet promptly
- Symptoms worsening rather than improving after 3–4 days
- Eye symptoms — corneal ulcers from herpesvirus can threaten vision
Most adult cats bounce back from URIs within 7–14 days with supportive care. Keeping up with vaccinations and minimising stress are the best preventive strategies.
The PawPulse Team
Researched using current veterinary guidelines. Always consult your vet for medical advice about your pet.