How do indoor cats get sick

Each of these clients loved their cats -- they just didn't recognize their cats' illnesses. Indoor cats are not disease-free. Just like in humans, cats can get sick for a number of reasons. Infectious diseases are dramatically reduced if you keep your pet inside but not eliminated completely. As your pet ages, diseases can appear that are not influenced by exposure to the outside world. These diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, dental disease, cancer and arthritis, are just a few to mention that can occur in our beloved indoor cats.

Unfortunately, cats are extremely stoic and do not easily show their symptoms of illness to you, their caretaker. In the wild, cats intuitively hide their signs of illness so they do not become prey. Regrettably, most of our indoor cats only obviously show their signs of illness to their owners late in the disease course -- thus, reducing our chance for a successful medical or surgical outcome.

For young cats, we recommend at least once yearly comprehensive physical examinations. I concluded each of the above visits with a strong affirmation of the importance of vaccinations in the prevention of diseases in our feline patients.

Most importantly, I demonstrated the great significance of a yearly physical examination, which is priceless for early detection and intervention of disease processes. Fortunately, all three clients left my clinic better educated and most importantly, better pet owners. Finally, this week we're trying to help find homes for two kittens who are about 16 weeks old.

They have very good personalities and are in need of a loving home. If you're interested in these little darlings, please call Animal Medical Center of Chicago at News U. Politics Joe Biden Congress Extremism. These symptoms usually last seven to ten days before they get better on their own. On rare occasions, you will need to contact your vet.

Also, some colds have mild symptoms, while others can be quite severe. What makes cats different from other animals when they get a cold is their lack of appetite. This is because cats pick their food according to the sense of smell. This causes them to stop eating altogether. The first thing you can do is to wipe off her nose and snout with a clean cloth. Treat their eyes with a cloth soaked in saline solution. If you feel like the air is too dry, use a humidifier. This will make breathing more comfortable.

Put your feline friend in her pet carrier and make sure she is calm. Then, put a bowl of hot, steamy water in front of the cage. Cover both with a thin blanket for 10 to 15 minutes.

Make sure your cat keeps on eating and drinking throughout all of this. This will help her get better quicker. If she refuses to eat, try warming her food up.

Also, try switching to wet food, as it is easier to swallow. At the same time, ensure she is staying warm. Give her an extra blanket or a piece of cloth and place it in her favorite sleeping spot. Just like with humans, cat colds are usually harmless.

After approximately four days, you should see some signs of improvement. Some of the main signs your cat needs extra care are:. If your cat has any of these symptoms, she might need some medication, such as antibiotics. Sometimes, a veterinarian might give her some supportive care, such as oxygen or fluid therapy. Chances are your cat might also have some undetected, underlying condition.

In fact, some forms of coronavirus cause a common cold. These ill cats are also considered an exception, and the chances of a cat getting sick are very slim. Infected cats are deemed dangerous only for other cats in your household, and even that type of transmission is rare.

A social distancing should apply not just to people but to every household member. The first thing you should do is keep your cats indoors. So what can you do to help your indoor cats stay safe?

A good idea would be to use diluted bleach or any similar product. If one of your cats is sick, separate her from the other ones. Disinfect food bowls, litter boxes, toys, and any places she was walking on. Keep in mind that a sick cat can spread viruses up to four feet away if she coughs or sneezes!

They will look healthy but will carry viruses and spread them to other cats. Sometimes, cats will get symptoms weeks after a virus got into their symptoms. Just like humans, cats can get colds. There are many microbes that cause various diseases in felines. Just like you should know exactly how do indoor cats get colds, you need to know how to help them. Keep in mind that, even though your cat is kept indoors, it can still get infected.

Be on the lookout for any symptoms of the disease. Skip to content Winter is here, and this means we should vary of the cold and flu season. Can Cats Get Colds?