Cats get the flu just like people. The medical term is "upper respiratory infection" or URI. It is caused by two feline viruses and will run its course in 7 to 10 days, but it must be treated. The symptoms are sneezing, runny nose and eyes, stuffiness, loss of appetite and lethargy. Home remedies for cat flu will cure your cat in 5 to 7 days.
Keep your cat eating and drinking. If she isn't eating, offer her a stronger smelling canned food such as tuna or sardines. She is probably dehydrated, so you need to get some unflavored Pedialyte for children at your local grocery store. Give it to her straight. If she won't drink water or Pedialyte, add chicken baby food to give it flavor. Do not get baby food with onions in it. Gerber chicken is the best. Last resort is giving it to her with a 3 cc syringe.
Echinacea boosts the immune system. It is available at the health food store. Purchase Sweet Echinacea for Kids alcohol free and give her of the kid's dose twice daily for 5 to 7 days. Vitamin C is antiviral and a wonderful antioxidant. Do not give your cat straight Vitamin C (Ascorbate Acid) as it will irritate her stomach. Purchase Sodium Ascorbate Crystals at your health food store and give her 250 mg once daily for 5 to 7 days. If your cat gets diarrhea, cut back on the dose.
Allium Cepa 30c is a homeopathic for watery nasal discharge causing sneezing. Give your cat 1 pellet twice daily for 5 to 7 days. It is available at your local health food store. Euphrasia officianalis 30c is also homeopathic and helps relieve symptoms of the cat flu. Give 1 pellet twice daily for 5 to 7 days. Some cats have worse nasal congestion and it makes it difficult for them to breathe out of their nose. Pediatric Otrivin has worked really well on my cats. Put one drop in each nostril three times daily for 5 days.
Colloidal Silver kills over 650 different diseases and is an alternative antibiotic. It is available at your health food store. I recommend Wellness by Source Naturals 30PPM. Give your cat 1/3 of the recommended dosage 3 times daily for 5 days and then twice daily for 5 days. You can keep her on a maintenance dose once daily after she gets better. It can also be used in her ears and eyes.
A humidifier is great for easing congestion and will help your cat breathe easier. If you don't have one, put her in the bathroom and turn the shower on hot. WARNING: Do not put her in the shower. It is advised that you stay in the bathroom with her for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep your cat in a warm area without drafts. The cat flu is highly contagious, so if you have multiple cats, keep your sick kitty in a different area.
Your cat should start to feel better in a few days after you use these home remedies for cat flu. I have used them for several years on my own cats and had great results.
