Short answer: No — people don’t usually give cats the common cold. Cats do get their own cold-like infections, most often from feline herpesvirus or calicivirus, which spread easily between cats.
So why the worry? Symptoms look familiar — sneezing, watery eyes, a stuffy nose — and when you’re curled up sick with your cat, it’s easy to wonder, “Did I cause this?” In most cases, colds in cats come from other cats, stress, or shelter exposure.
If you’re under the weather, take a few simple steps:
- Avoid face-to-face contact (no kisses or pillow sharing).
- Wash your hands before feeding or handling your cat.
- Watch for warning signs: discharge, loss of appetite, or lethargy.
Call your vet if symptoms linger or worsen. Think of it this way: your cold stays on your “frequency,” while your cat’s runs on another.
Can Cats Catch a Cold from Humans?
Short answer: It’s extremely unlikely. Human “common cold” viruses don’t infect cats because they’re species-specific, needing the right receptors to spread. So your cough on the couch probably didn’t cause your cat’s sneezing.
What cats do get are their own respiratory infections (like feline herpesvirus or calicivirus), which look similar but spread cat-to-cat, not human-to-cat.
That said, rare cross-species cases exist — certain influenza A strains (like H1N1 in 2009 or rare H5N1 events) and, occasionally, SARS-CoV-2. These remain uncommon and usually mild, but are worth noting.
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How Do Cats Catch Colds?
Cat “colds” don’t come from humans — they’re usually caused by feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) or feline calicivirus (FCV). These spread between cats through:
- Droplets from sneezes or coughs
- Direct contact (grooming, play, fights)
- Contaminated surfaces — bowls, bedding, toys, or even hands carrying particles (the technical term is “fomites”)
Even indoor cats aren’t completely safe. A vet visit, a new foster cat, or stress from moving can trigger illness. FHV-1 is especially sneaky because it can hide in the body and flare up under stress, which is why an indoor cat might suddenly start sneezing after a trip or a house change.
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Can Humans Catch a Cold from Cats?
It’s very unlikely you’ll catch a cold from your cat — the common feline viruses (like herpesvirus or calicivirus) are species-specific, so their sneeze won’t give you the sniffles.
Rarely, certain bacteria — such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, and in exceptional cases Chlamydia felis — have been reported in humans, usually those who are very young, elderly, or immunocompromised.
Practical hygiene tips:
- Wash your hands after handling a sick cat or cleaning discharge.
- Avoid face-to-face contact while your cat is sneezing.
- Keep vulnerable people away until your vet clears the infection.
Cat colds stay in cats, but good hygiene keeps everyone safe from the rare exceptions.
Treating a Cat with a Cold
Most cat “colds” are viral and self-limiting, so supportive care at home often helps. Keep your cat in a quiet, warm space, offer warmed wet food or low-sodium broth to encourage eating, and gently wipe away eye or nose discharge with a damp cloth.
A cool-mist humidifier or sterile saline nebulization can ease congestion — check with your vet before starting. Never give human medications without veterinary approval — drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be life-threatening to cats.
Call your vet if your cat refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, has colored discharge, shows signs of dehydration, or struggles to breathe. Vets may provide fluids, appetite stimulants, or targeted antibiotics if a bacterial infection is confirmed.
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Final Thoughts
Most human colds don’t infect cats — they get their own feline respiratory infections (like FHV-1 or FCV), which are usually mild but worth monitoring. Species barriers protect us both, with rare exceptions (some influenza strains, occasional SARS-CoV-2).
What actually helps:
- Prevention: Wash your hands, avoid face-to-face contact if you’re ill.
- Home care: keep cats warm, hydrated, stress-free.
- Vet check: if they won’t eat for>24 hrs, have colored discharge, or struggle to breathe.
Think of them like different radio stations: the symptoms may sound the same, but they’re on different frequencies. When in doubt, call your vet. Worried about your cat right now? Call your vet. If this guide helped, share it with other cat owners.
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Founder of Cats Question, a veterinarian (DVM), and lifelong cat enthusiast with hands-on experience in feline care. Passionate about helping cat owners through expert-backed, compassionate advice inspired by years of living and learning alongside cats.
