Overview
The term 'common cold' refers to a group of viruses that cause cold symptoms in humans. While cats can’t catch these particular viruses, they can still get affected by two feline viruses known as feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus, which cause cold-like symptoms and can result in serious illness.
The main symptoms of a cat cold are sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose and eyes. To help prevent colds in cats, you should ensure they're vaccinated against those two viruses. Cats and humans can't give each other colds because different viruses cause them, but cat viruses are highly contagious to other cats and can spread rapidly.
Main takeaways
What is a cat cold?
How do cats catch colds
Cat cold symptoms
How do you treat a cat cold?
What’s the difference between cat colds and cat flu?
How do you prevent cats catching colds?
FAQs about cat colds
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Medically reviewed by Lizzie Youens, BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Published on 08/01/2024 • Reviewed on 31/10/2025