Whenever we are sick with a cold or a common flu, we might be worried about transferring our infection to our feline friend. Cats are not immune to illnesses. From respiratory infections to gastrointestinal issues, our little friends can suffer from various health issues.
One question we ponder sometimes is whether our cats can catch a cold from humans. While it is possible, it’s important to have a deeper understanding of inter-species transmission and the factors that influence it.
Understanding Feline Respiratory Infections
Before jumping to the possible transmission of colds between humans and cats, it’s crucial to understand what kind of respiratory infections cats do get sick with. Our feline friends are susceptible to various viral and bacterial pathogens that can cause upper respiratory infections (URIs). The common culprits are:
Feline Herpesvirus (FHV): A highly contagious virus that affects a cat’s respiratory system, often leading to sneezing, nasal discharge, and eye inflammation.
Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Another common virus responsible for respiratory symptoms and oral ulcers.
Bordetella bronchiseptica: A bacterium usually associated with kennel cough in dogs but it can also infect cats. It also causes respiratory issues.
These infections are spread through direct contact with infected cats, contaminated objects, or aerosolized droplets expelled during sneezing or coughing. It can most likely occur and spread in places with multiple cats, such as shelters, catteries, or multi-cat households.
Can cats catch a cold from people?
Cats are usually infected with URI’s when in contact with other cats. Though it is possible to get infected from a human, it is extremely rare. The URIs described do not affect humans, so if a cat does catch a cold, it would not be the same type of disease that humans would get sick from.
It’s worth mentioning that cats can also get COVID-19 from humans though it is extremely rare and the symptoms are typically very mild. Cats are more likely to get sick from feline coronavirus which can lead to a virulent infection Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).
The bottom line is, if your cat suddenly starts showing cold-like symptoms, it is not because you were coughing all week. Instead, it was likely something you brought on your coat or your shoes from the outside, if you have an indoor-only cat.
Whether or not your cat gets sick would depend on their immune system as well. You can read more about cat colds in our main article, Cold Symptoms in Cats: Everything You Need to Know. By maintaining good hygiene practices and paying attention to your cat’s health, you can ensure a happy and healthy kitty companion.