Cat flu (upper respiratory infection)
Sneezing, runny eyes, runny nose, off food in a cat — phone the vet today; cats can lose smell and stop eating dangerously fast.
In the next 60 seconds
- Phone the vet — same day, especially for cats off food.
- Isolate from other cats.
- Warm strong-smelling food (sardines, tuna in spring water).
- Steam therapy in a steamy bathroom can help clear airways.
- Wipe discharge from eyes and nose gently with cooled boiled water.
Recognise the signs
- Sneezing
- Watery or pus-like eye and nose discharge
- Mouth ulcers
- Drooling
- Off food (often because they can't smell it)
- Fever, lethargy
- Difficulty breathing in severe cases
First aid steps
- Phone the vet — same day, especially for cats off food.
- Isolate from other cats.
- Warm strong-smelling food (sardines, tuna in spring water).
- Steam therapy in a steamy bathroom can help clear airways.
- Wipe discharge from eyes and nose gently with cooled boiled water.
Do NOT
- Do not give human cold medicines.
- Do not delay if the cat won't eat — fatty liver risk.
- Do not introduce new cats to a household during an outbreak.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Cat off food more than 24 hours
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe lethargy
- Kittens — can deteriorate rapidly
When it can usually wait
- Mild sneezing in a bright eating cat can be monitored briefly, but vet contact recommended within a day or two.
Common causes
- Feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV)
- Highly contagious, especially in multi-cat households and shelters
- Lifelong carriage and recurrence with stress
What you'll need
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Cats with flu often stop drinking. Running water encourages intake, which is critical to prevent dehydration during a respiratory illness.
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What the vet will need to know
- Vaccination status
- Other cats in household and signs
- Recent contact with new cats
- Eating, drinking, breathing
Aftercare
- Antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection.
- Antiviral treatment for severe cases.
- Supportive care — fluids, appetite stimulants.
- Lifelong carriage means flares possible at stress events.
Prevention
- Vaccinate (core vaccine).
- Manage stress in known carriers.
- Quarantine new cats.
- Treat early at signs of recurrence.
Frequently asked questions
Can humans catch cat flu?
No — cat flu viruses don't infect humans. Standard hygiene after handling is sufficient.
Will my cat always have flares?
Carriers often have flares at stress events (boarding, new pets, moving). Good management reduces frequency.
Is cat flu fatal?
Mild cases recover fully. Kittens, severely affected adults, and those with secondary bacterial pneumonia can be seriously ill.
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