Cats are pretty self-sufficient creatures. They can take care of themselves, and seem to do just fine without us humans around. Unless you own a cat that is completely dependent on human intervention for food, water, or litterbox needs (which would make them more like a dog than a cat), it’s not likely your feline friend will need any medical attention from you anytime soon.
But if they do catch something from their person? Well then the tables turn and now we’re in charge of looking after our furry friends! It seems cats can get colds too–on rare occasions–but catching one from another human isn’t very common at all.
We all know that human colds are transmitted by direct or indirect contact with an infected person, by breathing in small particles that contain the cold virus (for example, when the sick person sneezes). Can a cold be transmitted from a human to a cat? In other words, can a cat catch a cold from a human? If so, how?
How do indoor cats catch colds?
With winter just around the corner, many people are wondering how to keep their pets healthy this season. We know that our feline friend will need any medical attention from you anytime soon. But if they do catch something from their person? Well then the tables turn and now we’re in charge of looking after our furry friends! It seems cats
Indoor cats have specific needs, and there are things you can do to make sure they’re happy and healthy. One of these is ensuring that they’re getting the right amount of sunlight, which is essential for their overall health.
This means that you’ll need to let your cat outside on a regular basis. If you live in a neighborhood that isn’t very cat friendly, or if your cat is too frightened to explore, your first order of business is to set up a secure outdoor enclosure for your feline friend. You’ll need a small enclosure, like a dog pen or doghouse, or you can build a protected outdoor enclosure if you have the time and skills to do so.
It’s a common misconception that cats are healthier when they stay inside. While this may be true in some cases, there are many dangers of keeping your cat indoors, including not being able to catch colds naturally. In fact, research shows that indoor cats are more likely to catch colds than cats that have access to the outdoors.
Cold weather and dry indoor air can wreak havoc on your indoor cat’s immune system. If your indoor cat gets sick, you may be tempted to take it to the vet and seek out medications. The good news is that you can usually treat your cat’s common cold at home, without resorting to antibiotics or other drugs.
Can I give my cat anything for a cold?
Yes, you can give your cat most over-the-counter medicines you might have around your house. But since cats are so tiny, you’ll need to use about 1/4 the dose recommended for humans. Also remember that many cold medications are designed to treat coughs in people, and they may not be very effective at treating a runny nose.
While many people consider the common cold a minor inconvenience, for cats, it can sometimes be a serious matter. That’s why owners may look into giving their cats something for a cold — or at least natural remedies — to help them feel better. But can cats take over-the-counter cold medications, like Nyquil or other cough and cold medicines?
The answer depends on what kind of cat cold medication you’re thinking of giving. If your cat has a simple, mild upper respiratory infection, some veterinarians say that a decongestant like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine might help, as might saline nasal spray to help flush out mucus in the nose. But your vet would be the best to advise you on cold.
Other illnesses that humans can spread to cats
If you are a cat owner, there are a number of illnesses that you can spread to your cat. But most of the time, cats are the ones who are in charge of spreading illness to humans, not the other way around. However, the following are the top five illnesses that humans can spread to cats in the United States. All of these illnesses can be quite deadly if they are not treated properly.
- 1. The Flu
- 2. Chickenpox
- 3. Whooping Cough
- 4. HIV
- 5. Herpes