Winter brings warm fires, hearty meals and festive celebrations along with it. Sadly, winter also brings nasty colds, particularly when it’s wet and chilly. This is tough on your cat’s immune system, just like it is for us humans. Seasoned cat owners have probably already experienced the misery that a simple cold can bring.
Spotting your cat’s cold
If your cat’s nose is running, it’s eating less or hiding away in a corner more often than usual, this may mean your cat is coming down with a cold.
Other possible symptoms:
- Discharge from the eyes or nose (clear, yellow or green coloured)
- Coughing or excessive swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- Raised third eyelid
5 steps to treating your cat’s cold
Unfortunately, there is no cure for a viral cold. However, treating the symptoms will make your cat more comfortable during this unpleasant time and hopefully help it towards a faster recovery.
- Peace and quiet
Give your cat some peace and quiet for a few days. Don’t force your cat to play, but give it the time and space it needs to recover. Avoid contact with other cats, as it is likely that the illness could spread!
- Bundle up
Warmth is very important for sick cats. Keep your feline wrapped up in a blanket as much as possible. A thermal or heated blanket can provide a safer alternative to using a heat lamp.
- Wipe that nose
Keep the eyes and nose free of discharge using cotton moistened with warm water.
- Get out the thermometer
Measure your cat’s temperature. The normal temperature can be between 38 and 39 degrees. In order to take your cat’s rectal temperature, use Vaseline to moisten the thermometer and carefully insert it. A temperature above 39 degrees is serious, and you should take your cat to the vet immediately to have it examined.
- Stay hydrated
Make sure your cat has enough fluids. If your cat refuses to drink, add some water to their food to help keep them hydrated. Warm canned cat food to encourage your cat to eat. Adding vitamin supplements to your cat’s food may help the immune system to do its job.
When to go to the vet’s
If your cat still seems ill after three days or becomes weak from refusing to eat or drink, you should take it to the vet. Also, if your cat is very young or quite old, you should always take it to the vet, as the immune systems of young and old cats is weaker and they may need medication to help them recover.
Follow these steps and your cat will hopefully be back to causing mayhem in no time at all!