How To Treat A Cat With A Cold
Introduction
Sure, cats are known for having nine lives, but sometimes they seem more fragile than we give them credit for. When a cat catches a cold, it can feel downright helpless as you watch them sneeze and wait for the symptoms to go away. That’s why it’s important to give your kitty extra TLC when she comes down with a cold. Here’s how to ensure your cat gets the care she needs when she’s under the weather:
Make Sure Your Cat Has Plenty of Water.
There are a few things you can do to make sure your cat stays hydrated. You should always offer at least one full bowl of water each day, and if you see that your cat is going through the water too quickly, it’s okay to give them a little more at once. Some cats may not drink much for two or three days before coming down with a cold, so it’s important to keep their water supply full during this time.
The best way to give your cat water is by using their own drinking bowl — this way they’re more likely to drink from it as opposed to another container like an old dish rag or dirty sock (both things I’ve seen). Also remember that many cats don’t like running water; some prefer stillness. So if you have a faucet nearby where you feed them, turn it off!
Make Sure Your Cat Has Plenty of Food.
The next step is to make sure your cat eats regularly and enough. Cat diets should consist of high-quality, meat-based protein sources in the form of dry cat food or wet food.
In addition to making sure your cat eats enough to maintain a healthy weight (which can be difficult when they’re sick), there are other ways you can help them fight off a cold:
Keep Your Cat Warm and Dry.
Keeping your cat warm and dry will help to reduce the severity of a cold. Make sure that your cat is not exposed to drafts and does not sleep in an area where there are sources of heat such as radiators or space heaters. Also, keep your pet away from sinks, as they often become damp due to frequent cleaning. If you have carpeted floors, be sure that they are kept clean so that your cat can avoid allergens which may trigger allergic reactions during times when he/she becomes ill.
It is also important to keep cats out of the kitchen while preparing food or cleaning up after meals; germs from raw meat or fish (if used in cooking) could make their way into your cat’s mouth if he/she attempts to scavenge for scraps on the floor near his/her bowl!
Keep Your Cat Away From Other Pets.
As with many other illnesses, you want to keep your cat away from other pets and people as much as possible. If you can’t isolate them completely, then at least try to limit their exposure by keeping them in a separate room from anyone else that has a cold or the flu.
Cats are known for being able to pass germs between each other very quickly and easily. They have also been shown to be able to spread these same germs on their fur onto things like doorknobs and door handles where they will then be transferred onto human hands when we touch them later on in our day-to-day activities.
Get a Veterinarian’s Opinion.
The first step to treating a cat with a cold is to get a veterinarian’s opinion. You may need to bring your cat in for an examination, or you might be able to diagnose him at home using online resources and knowledge of his medical history. However, if you are unsure how best to treat your cat’s condition, it is always best to call up your vet and ask for advice.
If the vet recommends starting treatment right away, make sure you understand exactly what they are recommending before commencing!
Take Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Your Cat.
It is important to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your cat. When you are well rested, feeling healthy and eating well, exercising regularly, spending time for yourself and getting enough social interaction, you are more likely to be able to keep up with the demands of your cat’s illness.
Make sure your cat gets the care they need while they have a cold.
To care for your cat and ensure that they get better quickly, you need to pay attention to their specific needs. Cats are typically very independent and don’t like feeling weak or stressed out by others, so it’s important not to force them into situations where they will feel uncomfortable or threatened.
Make sure your cat has access to plenty of water at all times. If you’re worried about them drinking enough water with a cold, try adding some honey, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to their water bowl; this helps relieve congestion in their throat and lungs.
Make sure your cat has access to plenty of food at all times as well! This is especially important if they’ve lost any weight due to being sick—they need those extra calories now more than ever! Feeding them high-calorie foods such as chicken soup or tuna will help put weight back on without stressing out the digestive system further (which could cause other problems).
Conclusion
Cats are very good at hiding their illness and pain, so if you notice that your cat is not acting like themselves, take them to a veterinarian right away. You should also keep an eye out for the telltale signs of a feline cold: sneezing, coughing, runny nose or eyes, loss of appetite, fever, lethargy and difficulty breathing. If your cat does get sick with one of these common respiratory illnesses, make sure to follow the steps outlined above so that they can get the best possible care from you!