Cats do get “colds,” but the usual human cold viruses do not infect them, so you cannot give your cat a standard human cold. However, there are a few human illnesses (like COVID-19 and some flu strains) that can sometimes be passed to cats, so basic hygiene still matters.

Quick Scoop

  • Human common cold viruses (like rhinoviruses) are species-specific and do not jump to cats.
  • Cat “colds” are usually upper respiratory infections caused by feline herpesvirus or calicivirus, totally different from human cold bugs.
  • You generally will not catch your cat’s cold, and your cat will not catch your everyday cold from you.

When Can Humans Make Cats Sick?

Most of the time, your sickness will not affect your cat at all, but there are a couple of notable exceptions.

  • Certain influenza A strains (like H1N1) and avian flu have been documented in cats, though confirmed human‑to‑cat transmission is rare and not clearly proven in most cases.
  • Cats can catch SARS‑CoV‑2 (the virus that causes COVID‑19) from infected humans and may show respiratory or digestive signs, or sometimes no signs at all.

Signs Your Cat Has a “Cold”

If your cat is under the weather, it usually looks a lot like a human having a bad head cold.

Typical cat cold/URI signs include:

  • Sneezing and nasal discharge
  • Watery or goopy eyes
  • Mild cough or snuffly breathing
  • Reduced appetite and lower energy

If breathing is labored, your cat stops eating, or symptoms last more than a few days, a vet visit is important.

How to Protect Your Cat When You Are Sick

You do not need to quarantine from your cat for a simple human cold, but a few precautions are still smart.

  • Wash hands before handling food, bowls, and toys, especially if you have flu or COVID‑19.
  • Avoid kissing your cat’s face or sharing pillows if you have a known transmissible virus like COVID‑19.
  • Keep your cat’s vaccines, especially respiratory and flu-related ones recommended by your vet, up to date.

Simple Home Care (But No Human Meds)

If your cat has mild cold‑like signs and is otherwise bright and eating, home comfort measures can help while you monitor closely.

  • Use a steamy bathroom (run a hot shower and sit nearby with your cat) to ease congestion.
  • Keep eyes and nose gently wiped with a soft damp cloth if discharge builds up.
  • Never give human cold or pain medications to cats; many are toxic even in tiny amounts.

Bottom line: Your everyday human cold will not usually jump to your cat, but viruses like COVID‑19 and some flu strains can, so basic hygiene and watching for symptoms in your pet are still important.

Meta description: Wondering “can cats get colds from humans?” Learn how human colds differ from feline colds, when illnesses like COVID‑19 can affect cats, and what symptoms to watch for. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.