How to Protect Your Cat From the Common Cold

Cats, like humans, can develop a common cold due to catching a viral infection. However, unlike humans, cats are pretty lucky - there's a vaccine that they can be given to help to protect them from the common cold. This guide will explain what cats' common cold virus is and how the vaccine can help to protect your cat, whether or not they've already had the illness.

FVR

Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a virus that causes typical cold symptoms: sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and conjunctivitis. Only cats can develop FVR, and it's easily spread from cat to cat. Humans can also potentially spread the virus if they come into contact with a sick cat and then interact with a healthy cat.

Feline viral rhinotracheitis is rarely life threatening, but it can be a very unpleasant experience for a cat. Since antibiotics don't work on viruses, there's very little a veterinarian can do for your cat except to help ease the symptoms while the cat's immune system beats the virus.

FVR Vaccine

Thankfully, cats can be protected from this virus. The feline viral rhinotracheitis vaccine can help to prevent your cat from developing symptoms if they're exposed to the virus, or at the very least, greatly reduce them.

Age Importance

If your cat hasn't been vaccinated against FVR yet, it's important to do so as soon as possible. Feline viral rhinotracheitis is caused by a form of herpes that's specific to cats. One commonality with the human strain of herpes is that once a cat is exposed to the virus, they carry it for life. During stressful events and other illnesses, cats can experience flare-ups of the virus that will make them sick, even if they haven't come in contact with the virus recently.

However, even if your cat has already had FVR, a vaccination could still benefit them. Vaccinations may help to reduce the chance of flare-ups in cats already carrying the virus, which will allow the cat to have a healthier life and be far less likely to infect other cats.

If you could have a shot that would protect you from the common cold, you'd probably sign up. While this isn't an option yet for humans, it can be done for your cat. Talk to your veterinarian about getting your cat the FVR vaccine to protect your cat from the illness or to reduce their likelihood of developing symptoms.