Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat is sick after new kitten. Is it a cold or stress?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Devon Rex | Male | neutered | 15 lbs

My 9-year-old Devon Rex, Archie, began acting different yesterday. (August 15th, we adopted a new kitten.) Archie's skin feels warmer than usual. He simply wants to sleep and not move from my bed or his. His meows are raspy and short. He is not eating as much as usual. He randomly will dry heave/gag - but nothing will come out. Him and the kitten have been getting along - they sleep together, Archie cleans the kitten continuously - I feel like his symptoms could be stress but want to confirm.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on August 20, 2017

This sounds like Archie caught a cold from the new kitten. This does not sound like stress to me. Just like when kids go to school for the first time they catch things from other kids that they had not previously been exposed to. So even if your kitten appears to be healthy he may have given an upper respiratory infection to Archie. It can cause a fever, lethargy, and often coughing and clear discharge from the nose and eyes. Just as we get colds and are miserable for a few days then recover it's the same with cats. If he gets green nasal or eye discharge and stops eating he may have a secondary bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics. I'm glad they are getting along so well and Archie is so attentive to the little one. He should be feeling better in a week or so. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Archie.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My kitten has cold symptoms, is weak, and won't eat. What's wrong?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description and the pictures, I suspect that he has an upper respiratory infection. Many times upper respiratory infections can be contributed to the herpes virus in cats. I would recommend taking Catty in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. An antibiotic will likely be prescribed / administered to help with any secondary bacterial infections. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction and that Catty feels better soon. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Training & Behavior

Why is my new kitten making noisy breathing sounds after adoption?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds as though he might be congested. An upper respiratory tract infection (URI) due to a viral or bacterial infection is the most common reason for congestion in kittens. Common signs of a URI are: congestion, raspy throat breathing, nasal or eye discharge, sneezing and coughing. Herpes virus is the most common cause and usually runs it's course but it can lead to a secondary bacterial infection. If the nasal discharge is yellow or green, he is lethargic and not eating well that indicates a need to be seen by your Vet. If he is eating and drinking then you can watch him since it has only been 2 days since you adopted him. If his symptoms persist for a week or more then he should be seen. Have a good day!

Updated on September 23, 2025

My new kitten is sneezing and coughing. Should I take them to the vet?

what the staff at the shelter told you is true about the possibility of forming respiratory issues due to stress. the symptoms that you are describing are indeed symptoms of a respiratory infection and antibiotics are needed. The coughing you are hearing likely has no connection to a hairball issue and is likely the infection progressing. My best recommendation to you would be to have them seen by your veterinarian at your earliest convenience to have them treated before their illness progresses into something worse than the "simple kitty cold"

Updated on September 23, 2025

My cat is vomiting after new kitten with cold. Is it contagious?

I am sorry to hear this! Yes, it is possible he picked up something from the new kitten even if she was asymptomatic. I would recommend taking them both in and having them tested for infectious diseases and worms at a minimum. I hope it is nothing too serious but better safe than sorry! I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23, 2025

My cat lost her meow. Is it a cold from the new foster kitten?

That can be a sign of an upper respiratory infection or cold. She may be getting a mild cold from your foster kitten. If the older cat has been vaccinated she shouldn’t get very sick and the symptoms should resolve quickly. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your cats.

Updated on September 23, 2025

My cat has weepy eyes and sneezes after new cat. Is it a cold?

Megz most likely got an upper respiratory infection from the new cat. There are several strains so even if she is vaccinated she can still catch a cold. Usually they will recover without treatment but if she develops yellow or green discharge or stops eating you should take her to your veterinarian for an exam. They will probably give her a course of antibiotics.

Updated on September 23, 2025

My kitten has a cold, now my other kitten is lethargic and vomiting.

Yes, it is possible that your three month old kitten caught Mycroft's virus. I would take them both into the vet for an exam, as they may benefit from medications. In the meantime, you can try a few home remedies in addition to the vet visit. First, you can try starting them on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If they are congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing them into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share