5 Ways To Save Your Cat From Getting Respiratory Infections

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Respiratory infections are common in animals and spread easily from one animal to the other. Cats are prone to upper respiratory infection and their nose, eyes, and mouth get infected by bacteria and viruses. If left untreated it causes sneezing, congestion, breathing difficulty, coughing, and even depression. During this period, it’s also normal for cats to lose appetite or turn away from the smell of food. While there are different ways to treat respiratory infections in cats, here are 5 common ones if your cat is suffering from such an infection.

1. Check-upTake your cat to a vet if the infection spreads or if it has just begun spreading. Often, you won’t know the extent of the disease until it affects your cat. A trained will be able to tell how bad the situation is by looking at the symptoms. Some of the common symptoms are eye and nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, irritation in the face, and fever.
2. Food and water Make sure that you are giving good quality food to your cat. Cat foods must contain the essential nutrients and should be filled with proteins. A healthy diet is a key to healthy living. Also, ensure that the drinking water is clean and is being changed every day.
3. Immunity boosters There are hundreds of immunity boosters available for cats in the market. Consult the vet and buy a good one. Use it along with the food. The immunity booster will protect your cat from contracting a variety of diseases.
4. ExerciseAlong with good food, exercise is also necessary. Ensure that your cat is getting an ample amount of physical exercise before and after each meal. Make a fixed schedule and include exercise that involves a lot of running around.
5. HygieneCats are clean creatures and they like cleaning themselves from time to time. However, nothing beats a good bath. Use shampoo and disinfectants to rid your cat’s body of any germs that might be stuck to its fur. Additionally, use a wet cloth dipped in warm water to wipe your cat’s fur. Check for its breath and observe the stool. If you find anything alarming, report to the vet immediately.

Respiratory infections are common in animals and cats are especially prone to the disease. The bacteria or virus easily spreads from one animal to the other. To protect your cat from respiratory infections, ensure that eating good quality food and getting ample amounts of exercise. Cleanliness is a big factor and gives your cat a good bath from time to time. Use cat products like shampoos and disinfectants to clean your cat's fur. Additionally, rub its body with a cloth dipped in warm water from time to time to attain the best results.

Why Are Young Kittens Prone to Upper Respiratory Infections?

If you have pets, you love them like family and want the best for them. But just like human babies, young kittens tend to fall sick often. What is one of the most common infections that affect kittens? Upper respiratory infections seem to be extremely common among kittens, especially those under 6 months of age. What are upper respiratory infections and why are young kittens prone to them?

What are feline upper respiratory infections?

Feline upper respiratory infections are similar to common colds and flu in humans. However, you have to be vigilant to know that your kitten is unwell because cats have a tendency to hide illness. Various bacteria and viruses affect different parts of your kitten’s respiratory system, causing a range of infections. Most of these infections are species-specific and only affect cats, although a handful of these infections can spread to humans with weak immune systems.

Reasons for upper respiratory infections in young kittens

There are a number of reasons your kitten might an upper respiratory infection. At times, it is preventable, and at times, there is not much you can do but treat the infection and ensure your kitten is comfortable. Here are a few reasons your kitten might be more susceptible than an adult cat to these infections.

• Weak immune system: Kittens are very similar to human babies during the first few weeks of their lives and may have weak immunity during this time. If your kitten has been unwell or has been on medication, then it might be at a greater risk of these infections.
• Sick cat in close vicinity: If there is another cat r kitten close to your kitten that is unwell and has an upper respiratory infection, it may pass on the infection to your kitten. These infections spread through bodily fluids – eye secretions, saliva, and mucus discharge from the nose – and through shared things such as toys, water bowls, and litter trays.
• Imbalanced nutrition: If your kitten is not getting all the required nutrients from its food, it will be at a greater risk of upper respiratory infections. You can check with your vet for the best-balanced diet for your kitten for its age to avoid deficiencies.
• Inadequate vaccination: If you do not get your kitten vaccinated in time or do not get all the mandatory vaccinations, you might be putting it at high risk for upper respiratory infections.

You should try and take as many precautions as possible without hampering the freedom your kitten enjoys. Get the vaccinations done on time, keep an eye out for symptoms, and keep other sick cats away from your young kitten to prevent upper respiratory infections as much as possible.