Yes — cats can get the flu, but like dogs, it’s different from the human version. What we usually call “cat flu” is a group of contagious respiratory infections that affect felines.
🐾 What Cat Flu Really Is
- Causes: Most commonly from feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV).
- Not the same as human flu: You can’t give your cat the flu, and they can’t give you human flu.
- How it spreads: Through sneezing, coughing, grooming, shared bowls, or close contact with other cats.
🐾 Symptoms of Cat Flu
- Sneezing and coughing
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Fever
- Mouth ulcers (sometimes with calicivirus)
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy (sleeping more, less active)
🐾 Things to Know
- Kittens, elderly cats, and cats with weak immune systems are most at risk.
- There are vaccines available for FHV-1 and FCV — usually part of the “core” vaccines vets give kittens and adult cats.
- Most cats recover in 1–3 weeks, but some become lifelong carriers of the virus and may have flare-ups under stress.
✅ Bottom line: Cats can’t catch your flu, but they do have their own version of flu-like respiratory infections. Vaccination, good hygiene, and quick vet care if symptoms get severe are the best protections.