Cat Flu: Symptoms and When to See a Vet
Quick answer
Cat flu is a common upper respiratory infection, caused mainly by feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. Cats Protection lists sneezing, a runny nose and eyes, dribbling, loss of appetite, fever, mouth ulcers, sleeping more and coughing, and says to contact your vet if you notice any of these. It can be life-threatening for very young, very old or immunocompromised cats. Vaccination does not stop infection but lowers the risk of severe illness.
From Cats Protection. Not veterinary or financial advice. Worried about your pet now?
On this page (7 sections)
What it is
Cats Protection describes cat flu as a common illness of the upper respiratory tract, much like a cold in people, caused mainly by two viruses: feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. Bacterial infections can follow and make it worse. Source: Cats Protection, Cat flu.
Symptoms
- Sneezing
- Runny nose and eyes
- Dribbling
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Mouth ulcers
- Sleeping more than usual
- Coughing
Cats Protection says to contact your vet if you notice any of these. It warns that cat flu can be life-threatening for very young, very old or immunocompromised cats. A cat that stops eating or struggles to breathe needs a vet quickly: find an emergency vet. Source: Cats Protection, Cat flu.
How it spreads, and carrier cats
It spreads much like a cold, through coughing and sneezing passing germs to other cats. Cats Protection notes that some cats that recover continue to harbour the infection and can relapse, especially when stressed or ill. Keep a sick cat away from other cats where you can. Source: Cats Protection, Cat flu.
Caring for a cat with flu
Alongside your vet's treatment, Cats Protection suggests keeping your cat warm and quiet with a comfortable bed, reducing stress at home, gently wiping away eye and nose discharge with damp cotton wool, encouraging eating with warmed or strong-smelling food, encouraging drinking, and letting your cat sit in a steamy room such as a bathroom to ease congestion (supervised, and never forced). Source: Cats Protection, Cat flu.
Vaccination
Cats Protection says vaccination does not prevent infection, but it reduces the risk of severe symptoms and of needing hospital treatment. Kittens have their first vaccinations at around eight to nine weeks, as the protection from their mother fades. More: kitten and cat vaccination schedule. Source: Cats Protection, Cat flu.
Questions people ask
What are the symptoms of cat flu?
Cats Protection lists sneezing, a runny nose and eyes, dribbling, loss of appetite, fever, mouth ulcers, sleeping more than usual and coughing. Contact your vet if you notice any of them.
Is cat flu dangerous?
Cats Protection says it can be life-threatening for very young, very old or immunocompromised cats. A cat that stops eating or struggles to breathe needs a vet quickly.
How does cat flu spread?
Much like a cold, through coughing and sneezing passing germs between cats. Some recovered cats continue to carry the infection and can relapse when stressed or ill.
Does the vaccine stop cat flu?
Not completely. Cats Protection says vaccination does not prevent infection but reduces the risk of severe symptoms and of needing hospital treatment. Kittens start at around eight to nine weeks.
Sources
- Cats Protection, Cat flu, read 10 November 2026.
Related pages
Cat vomiting: when to worry, signs your cat is in pain, cats in cold weather and everything for cat owners.