Can Cats Catch Colds from Humans? Understanding Risks & Precautions
Preventing and Treating Feline Respiratory Infections
If you have a cold, you may wonder if your cat can get this illness too. While cats can be infected with viruses that cause symptoms that may look similar to human colds, they are unlikely to catch your cold virus. However, several common upper respiratory infections occur in cats and may require veterinary care. Here’s what to do if you think your cat has a cold or other respiratory illness.
Can Your Cat Catch Your Cold?
No, cats can’t catch the common cold from humans, but they can contract other respiratory diseases. Your cat cannot catch a cold virus from you because most cold-causing viruses in people are specific to humans.
When people “catch” colds, they become infected with viruses that cause symptoms of upper respiratory illness. These may include a sore throat, cough, runny nose and congestion, headache, and body aches. Viruses that commonly cause colds in people include respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, some human coronaviruses, adenovirus, and human metapneumovirus.1
Cold viruses are spread by person-to-person contact, and there is no cure. Treatment involves supportive care, like getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated, while the immune system fights off the infection. Most people recover from colds in about 7-10 days. Colds may pose a greater risk to people with compromised immune systems or who suffer from respiratory conditions like asthma.1
Even though your cat won’t catch your cold virus, there are other illnesses they can get from people or other animals. If you are sick, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your cat.
Warning
There are some respiratory viruses that you can spread to your cat. Influenza A viruses can spread from people to cats,2 and cats have become infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) from contact with infected people.3
If you are sick with either of these illnesses, it is best to isolate yourself from your cat and have someone who is not infected care for them until you are better. In most cases, illnesses have been mild in domestic cats who have become infected with the flu or COVID-19.
