Can Cats Catch Pneumonia From Humans – Symptoms & Causes

Having a cat to snuggle you when your feeling sick is one of the best feelings. Getting to spend the day with your cat while you rest is one of the only positive outcomes of getting sick. Plus, your cat loves that you are home for the day and paying attention to you. For them, it feels like a special reward. Have you ever gotten worried that all this time spent with your cat while you’re sick can get them sick? Especially with a more severe illness like pneumonia, is it possible for your cat to contract illness from you? Can cats catch Pneumonia from humans? 

No, cats cannot catch pneumonia from humans.

It is more possible for your cat to catch a common cold from you than for them to contract pneumonia. This is also highly dependent on their breed and how contagious you are. It is, however, still entirely possible for cats to contract pneumonia. It is vital you know the signs of pneumonia to give them the proper treatment immediately. 

Can My Cat Catch My Cold

Your cat is rarely going to catch your cold, but it is not entirely impossible. Cats are susceptible to contracting common cold viruses and H1N1 from humans. Exotic breeds of cats are even more likely to contract these diseases from humans. Bengals are an exotic cat breed that is particularly prone to this. 

You do not have to worry much about staying away from your cat if you have a cold. It is very unlikely they are going to contract whatever illness you have. If you are concerned, refrain from kissing them and breathing near their faces while you are sick. Disinfect your surfaces frequently, change your pillowcase often, and do not share food with them. These easy steps help to guarantee your kitty will not get a cold from you.

9 Signs Your Cat Has Pneumonia

Knowing the signs of pneumonia and identifying them in their early stages is the best way to guarantee your cat will get the treatment they need to recover quickly. 

1. Deep Cough

It is very common for cats to cough frequently when trying to get a hairball to come up. When they have a cough due to pneumonia, it will sound much deeper. Coughing to get a hairball up almost sounds like they are trying to spit something up, while a cough due to pneumonia is going to sound deeper and more impulsive.

2. Noisy Breathing And Wheezing

Your cat should regularly breathe rather quietly, so if you notice them wheezing, you may want to take them to be examined. If your cat has asthma, you need to train your ear to identify an asthma wheeze vs. an illness wheeze. An illness wheeze will typically sound wetter than asthma.

3. Rapid Heartbeat

If you can, try to gently lay your head on your cat’s belly so you can listen to their heartbeat. A fast heartbeat can indicate that they are not feeling well and could have pneumonia. 

4. Blowing Out Of Their Mouths

Most cats breathe in and out of their noses. If you notice your cat opening their mouth to breathe and blow air out, then it may be struggling to breathe. 

5. Bluish Lips

If you notice your cat’s lips starting to turn blue, this means that there is an oxygen deficiency in their blood. Pneumonia can cause this deficiency, and it is crucial to discover this as early as possible.

6. Green Or Yellow Nasal Discharge

It is relatively common for cats to have some clear nasal discharge because they use their noses to smell and identify their surroundings. You should be concerned if this discharge ever turns a green or yellow color because this could signal that your cat is not feeling well.

7. Fever

You may notice your cat has a fever if they start to pant to cool themselves down. If you notice them panting, take their temperature to confirm if they have a fever and seek medical attention for treatment. 

8. Lack Of Appetite

If your cat has pneumonia, it may start to lose their appetite because of how sick they are feeling. Pay attention to your cat’s eating patterns and know how to identify when they are not consistently eating. 

9. Behavioral Changes

You may find your cat more tired than usual or not wanting to play as much as they usually do. Or they could be hiding more often because cats seek solitude to heal when they are in pain. If you notice any behavioral changes in your cat like this, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

What Causes Pneumonia In Cats

There are four significant ways cats can contract pneumonia. The most common is infectious pneumonia, which results from a viral or bacterial infection in their lungs or airways. Cats can catch this type of pneumonia from other cats, other pets, and in extremely rare instances, their owners. It is most plausible that your cat will have contracted another kind of illness that develops into pneumonia. 

If your cat inhales a foreign material, it can irritate the lining of its airways and develop aspiration pneumonia. The lining of their lungs is very sensitive, so that any foreign material inhalation can lead to pneumonia. The most common way cats contract this pneumonia is through improper medication administration.

If your cat requires liquid medicine, you must do your best to ensure it goes down their throat and does not get inhaled. Cats can also accidentally inhale their own vomit and cause aspiration pneumonia. 

Fungal pneumonia develops from a fungal infection that isn’t treated soon enough and becomes pneumonia. Usually, these fungal infections come from inhaling spores in the soil. If you have an outdoor cat, occasionally check their breathing so you can identify signs of a fungal infection and treat it before it becomes pneumonia. 

Parasites in cats can also invade their bronchi and cause pneumonia. Parasites like lungworms or flukes have been known to do this. To avoid this, you should keep your cat up to date on their vaccinations and notice any changes that could indicate they have a parasite.

Can Cats Recover From Pneumonia

Cats absolutely can recover from pneumonia. In rare cases where cats are too young, too old, or have a compromised immune system, then it is possible that they will not survive a battle with pneumonia. If pneumonia is not diagnosed and treated early on, it can become deadly for cats.

However, most cats are able to receive treatment and fully recover. Knowing the signs of pneumonia and regularly checking your cat will help to make sure you catch any illness early on. Once they see their veterinarian, they may be sent home with some medicine for you to treat on your own, or they may need to be hospitalized for some more severe treatment.

How To Treat Pneumonia In Cats

If your cat is diagnosed with pneumonia, they will be given antibiotics or anti-fungal medication to combat the illness. They may also need intravenous fluids to deal with dehydration from being sick. In the most severe cases, they could be hospitalized to be consistently monitored and given oxygen treatments.

Things To Consider

Your cat cannot catch pneumonia from you. If you currently have pneumonia, you do not need to worry about avoiding your cat to keep them safe. However, just because they cannot catch it from you does not mean they can’t contract pneumonia from another source. It is essential to be well-versed in the signs of pneumonia so you can get your cat the treatment they need as soon as possible.