Introduction

The number one way to prevent respiratory infections in cats is to properly vaccinate kittens and cats against these diseases. Keeping cats away from other cats whose vaccination history is unknown, and using quarantine measures when new cats enter a household, will also help to prevent feline respiratory illnesses.

Preventing Respiratory Infections in Cats

If a kitten has recently been adopted, and its vaccination history is unknown, the vaccination series for respiratory infections should begin as soon as possible. Vaccinations should then be kept up-to-date for the rest of the cat's life

Respiratory infections are highly contagious, so it is important if you have an unvaccinated cat, or kitten, to keep it away from other cats that may be carrying an infection. Just because another cat appears healthy does not mean that it is not carrying a respiratory infection, some cats carry these illnesses without showing any symptoms.

If you have adopted a new cat or kitten whose vaccination history is unknown, and you have other cats in your household, keep the new pet in a room away from the other cats until at least two to three weeks after it has been vaccinated.

There have been cases where pet owners unknowingly brought a respiratory infection home to their cats after they had handled cats or kittens. Pet owners should always wash their hands and change their clothes before they interact with their own pets if they have been handling stray animals or animals whose vaccination history is unknown.