Introduction
Cat flu is an upper respiratory infection caused by feline herpesvirus (FHV) or feline calicivirus (FCV), two highly contagious viruses that affect domestic cats and wild felines. The main goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of cat flu, including its symptoms, transmission, survivability on surfaces, treatment, prevention, and prognosis for infected cats.
We will define what cat flu is, explain how it spreads between cats, look at how long the virus can survive on common household surfaces, and discuss ways to treat infected cats and reduce transmission risk. This article also covers the typical recovery time for cats with cat flu and key steps cat owners can take to prevent infection.
By the end of this article, readers will have a fuller understanding of this common feline illness, including how to limit its impact in a multi-cat household.
Symptoms of Cat Flu
Cat flu refers to an upper respiratory infection caused by viruses or bacteria. The most common symptoms of cat flu include:
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Watery eyes
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Congestion
- Pneumonia (in severe cases)
Cat flu symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the type of pathogen, the cat’s immune health, stress levels, and other factors. In mild cases, symptoms may resolve within 1-2 weeks. More severe infections can lead to persistent congestion, eye ulcers, dehydration, and other complications if not treated promptly.
Kittens, senior cats, and immunocompromised cats tend to develop more severe symptoms from cat flu. However, cats of any age can be affected. Owners should monitor for signs of lethargy, appetite loss, and nasal discharge as these may indicate the need for veterinary care.
How Cat Flu Spreads
Cat flu is highly contagious and the virus spreads easily from infected cats to other cats. There are two main ways cat flu spreads:
From Cat to Cat
The virus spreads through direct contact between cats. When an infected cat sneezes, coughs, or sniffles, virus-laden droplets spray into the air and can be inhaled by other cats. The virus also spreads through saliva. Grooming behaviors like licking and sharing food bowls can pass the virus mouth-to-mouth. Aggressive behaviors like biting and scratching can also transmit cat flu.
Cats in high density populations like shelters are especially susceptible as they are in close quarters and the virus can spread rapidly in this environment.
Through Fluids and Contaminated Objects
The cat flu virus can survive in the environment for several days to weeks. Shared litter boxes, food bowls, and other objects can become contaminated with the virus. When uninfected cats use these items, they risk picking up the virus and becoming infected.
The virus is also found in respiratory discharges like mucus and saliva. Surfaces contaminated with these fluids from an infected cat can pass the virus along to the next cat that touches it.
How Long It Can Survive on Surfaces
The cat flu virus can survive on surfaces and objects for an extended period, from days up to weeks, depending on the material and environmental conditions. According to Icatcare.org, “Large amounts of virus are present in the saliva, tears and nasal discharges and the viruses may be able to survive in the environment and on surfaces for a day or more” [1]. The virus survives longer on porous surfaces like fabric, carpet, and bedding compared to nonporous surfaces like metal, plastic, and glass. Moist or wet surfaces allow the virus to survive for days or weeks, while dry surfaces shorten the lifespan to hours or a day at most.
Cold temperatures also prolong the virus’s lifespan to potentially weeks, which is why cat shelters and boarding facilities with poor ventilation pose a high risk. Overall, the cat flu virus can persist in the environment for a considerable duration, especially if conditions are favorable. This emphasizes the importance of thorough disinfection of living spaces and objects after a cat contracts the illness.
Survival Times by Material
Feline calicivirus, the virus that causes cat flu, can survive on surfaces outside of the host cat’s body for extended periods of time depending on the type of material. Specifically, studies have found the following approximate survival times:
- Plastic – Up to 2-3 days (Feline Calicivirus – Baker Institute, Cornell University)
- Metal – Up to 48 hours (Inactivation of influenza A viruses in the environment and on surfaces – Weber et al. 2008)
- Clothing – Up to 24 hours (How long do cold and flu viruses stay contagious on public surfaces? – PBS)
The virus appears to survive the longest on nonporous surfaces like plastics and metals. On more porous surfaces like clothing and tissues, the virus generally survives less than a day before it is no longer infectious.
Reducing Transmission Risk
There are several steps cat owners can take to reduce the risk of the cat flu virus spreading between cats:
Cleaning protocols: Frequently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces can help kill any lingering cat flu virus. The CDC recommends cleaning litter boxes, food/water bowls, bedding, and toys daily with soap and hot water to remove organic matter like saliva or nasal discharge where viruses can survive. Then, disinfect these items and any high-touch surfaces like doorknobs with an EPA-registered disinfectant labeled to kill viruses.
Quarantining cats: Isolating sick cats from healthy ones is key. House sick cats separately, preferably in a bathroom or spare room that can be thoroughly disinfected. Restrict access and have separate litter boxes, food, water, and bedding. The AVMA recommends quarantining for up to 6 weeks.
Avoiding shared objects: Don’t allow cats to share toys, bedding, food/water bowls, litter boxes, or grooming tools, which can spread germs. Wash hands after touching infected cats before caring for others.
Treating Cat Flu
There is no cure for cat flu, so treatment focuses on supportive care, managing symptoms, and preventing secondary infections. According to the Blue Cross, the main treatments for cat flu are:
Supportive Care: This involves ensuring your cat stays hydrated by encouraging them to drink or giving fluids under the skin if needed. Appetite stimulants may help a cat who has gone off their food. Steam inhalation can help clear nasal congestion and make breathing easier. Cats with eye discharge may need gentle cleaning and antibiotic eye drops/ointment. Your vet can show you how to do this safely at home.
Antiviral Medications: Currently there are no antiviral drugs that are effective against the viruses causing cat flu, according to Trudell Animal Health. Antibiotics may be prescribed by a vet if secondary bacterial infections develop, but they do not treat the underlying viral infection.
Preventing Secondary Infections: As cat flu compromises the immune system, secondary infections are common. Vets may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and other medications to prevent or treat secondary infections of the eyes, mouth, respiratory tract, and elsewhere in the body.
Prognosis and Recovery
Cat flu is often self-limiting in healthy cats, meaning it will typically run its course and resolve on its own within 1-2 weeks without treatment.1 However, the prognosis tends to be worse for kittens and cats with compromised immune systems, who are at higher risk of developing secondary infections like pneumonia if the illness goes untreated.
In mild cases affecting healthy adult cats, full recovery usually occurs within 5-10 days.2 More severe cases involving pneumonia may take 4-6 weeks or longer to fully resolve, even with appropriate veterinary treatment. Cats remain contagious for 2-4 weeks after apparent recovery.
While most cats fully bounce back from cat flu, the illness can potentially be fatal in vulnerable populations like kittens, senior cats, or immunocompromised cats. Consult a vet promptly if your cat has difficulty breathing, seems overly lethargic, or shows other signs of distress, as early treatment greatly improves the prognosis.
Prevention
There are several ways to help prevent the spread of cat flu virus and reduce your cat’s chances of becoming infected:
Vaccines
Vaccinating your cat against cat flu is the best way to protect them. There are vaccines available that protect against the major viral causes of cat flu such as feline herpesvirus and calicivirus. Speak to your veterinarian about the recommended vaccine schedule for your cat. While vaccines don’t provide 100% protection, they can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms if a cat does become infected. It’s important to keep vaccinations up to date.
According to Cat Flu | Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, “The vaccine cannot prevent symptoms from occurring if the animal already has cat flu.”
Hygiene and Cleaning
Maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness can help prevent spread. The cat flu virus can survive in the environment for several days to weeks depending on conditions. Routinely disinfect and sanitize any surfaces, bedding, food bowls, litter boxes and toys that may become contaminated with virus from nasal and eye discharge. Use a disinfectant that is effective against viruses.
Reducing Exposure
Since the cat flu virus is highly contagious between cats, limiting exposure to potentially infected cats can reduce risk. This includes keeping any new cats separated from your existing cats for a quarantine period, avoiding multi-cat households, and keeping cats indoors. Catteries, shelters and boarding facilities can have a high risk of exposure.
Key Takeaways
The key takeaways from this article on cat flu are:
- Cat flu is a highly contagious viral infection of cats that causes upper respiratory symptoms like sneezing, nasal discharge, and eye infections (cite: https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-flu-upper-respiratory-infection/)
- It spreads easily through direct contact, shared litter trays, and contaminated objects, so prevention and controlling transmission are critical (cite: https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/cat-flu/)
- Though most cats recover within 2-4 weeks, kittens and immune-compromised cats are at higher risk for complications like pneumonia
- Vaccination, keeping cats separate when infected, disinfecting, and good hygiene practices reduce cat flu transmission
- Even vaccinated cats can get mild cases, so early treatment helps reduce severity and duration
- Controlling cat flu means vigilant prevention – get cats vaccinated, isolate infected cats, disinfect thoroughly, and monitor unvaccinated kittens
Following prevention and hygiene best practices is key to protecting cats from cat flu and limiting transmission when outbreaks occur. Vaccination, routine disinfecting, and keeping infected cats isolated will help control this highly contagious virus in multi-cat households.