Kitty Under The Weather? 4 Steps To Ease The Symptoms Of Feline Flu

If your cat is acting a bit under-the-weather, it might have the flu. Unfortunately, your cat can't tell you when it's not feeling well, so you have to pay attention to the signs. Some signs of feline flu include sniffling, sneezing, and a mild cough. Here are four simple steps you can take to help your kitty feel better.

Encourage Eating

Your cat isn't going to be extremely hungry while it's sick. However, it's important that you try to encourage it to eat as often as possible. Going without food can deplete your cat's immune system, which can make the symptoms get worse. Place food in front of your cat as often as possible while it's not feeling well. If it still won't eat, try placing a small amount of food on its mouth. Your cat will lick the food off, ensuring that it's getting some nutrients while it's sick.

Push the Fluids

When your cat is sick, fluids are the most important thing you can provide it with. Dehydration can be detrimental for the health of your cat. Watch your cat. If it hasn't consumed water in several hours, you'll need to take matters into your own hands. Fill a medicine dropper with water. Place the opening of the dropper in your cat's mouth and press down on the plastic bulb. Repeat this several times a day to make sure that your cat stays hydrated.

Reach for the Saline Drops

Feline flu can cause your cat to develop a thick nasal discharge, which can make breathing difficult. If your cat has a runny nose, accompanied by a thick discharge, you can use saline drops to clear things up. Saline drops can be found in the health and beauty department of most stores. Place several drops of the saline solution in your cat's nose. It's also important that you wipe its nose whenever you notice a discharge.

See the Vet

In most cases, feline flu is not life-threatening. However, it can become serious, especially in young kittens or aging cats. If your cat refuses to eat or drink, or has difficulty breathing, you should contact your veterinarian, such as Southwest Florida Veterinary Specialists & 24-Hour Emergency Hospital, as soon as possible.

If your cat isn't feeling well, it might have a case of feline flu. You can help alleviate the symptoms by following the suggestions provided above. Be sure to contact your veterinarian if the symptoms don't resolve themselves in a few days.

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