The cat’s cold, better known as upper feline respiratory tract infection, is a common condition that affects a large number of cats each year. These diseases have general symptoms similar to the common cold in humans, and it is not uncommon to hear your pet coughing or sneezing, having watery eyes or running nose. While most of these affections disappear after a few days, there are home remedies to relieve your cat and speed up its recovery process.
Like humans who are more prone to the cold when they are in small workspaces, on the road or on planes, cats develop this type of infection when they are in close contact with other cats. The most common method of transmission is through sneezing, shared water and food bowls. Stress also plays an important role because it will decrease the immune response of a cat.
Dog Cold: 5 Home Remedies That Works
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Cat Cold Symptoms
A cat with an upper respiratory tract infection will not be very happy. He will have severe seizures on the first day, followed by teary and flaming eyes, often affected by conjunctivitis. An aqueous nasal discharge and a fine fever will graft over and the owners will soon realize.
Because the affection concerns the nose, most cats will probably lose their sense of smell, and therefore they will lose their appetite, refusing food. As the days pass, the aqueous nasal discharge will thicken and become purulent and sticky. The cat can then resort to breathing through the mouth.
Here are some simple and effective home remedies to relieve your pet and thus cure the cat’s cold.
1. Moisten the air
Cats who suffer from this type of infection often have difficulty breathing. An air humidifier helps to increase the humidity levels in a room, and thus to clear the nasal passages of your pet, allowing it to breathe easier.
You can also run a hot shower for 10 minutes into a bathroom or your cats is located, and make him breathe steam. Be careful not to wet it.
2. Keep your nose and mouth clean
A cat with a URI may experience a certain amount of mucus out of the mouth and nose. If you do not clean this extra facial from your pet, this can cause irritation or other infections.
Pass a soft cloth or sponge that you will have passed under warm water and gently wipe the face of your cat. Be careful not to rub too hard, as this may cause some pain or even additional irritation.
3. Help him to eat normally
A sick cat needs to eat a regular and complete diet in order to maintain its immune system in good health and thus help fight the cat’s cold. Unfortunately, cats with this type of condition often lose some of their sense of smell, and therefore refuse to eat or lose their appetite. Be aware that it will be necessary to watch that the other cats do not eat their food. You may have to isolate it so that it eats at its own pace and without being stressed out.
If he refuses to eat or has any reluctance, try to warm his food for a few seconds in the microwave. You can also try other types of foods. It is important to ensure that your cat receives all the necessary elements for a good diet.
4. Recognize when remedies are not effective
It is crucial to respond to the symptoms of the disease appropriately. Home remedies should only be used when your cat has very mild symptoms. If your pet’s condition is deteriorating or persists for more than a few days, or even after you have tried one of the home remedies listed above, feel free to consult a veterinarian immediately.
Antibiotics are useful in the treatment of most respiratory infections. However, there are some more serious health problems that have similar symptoms to this, and only a veterinarian will be able to identify them with certainty.