Does a cat with a cold need the vet?

[Precipitate]

I think my cat has a cold. He's fine in himself sleeping and eating as usual. But his breathing sounds a bit noisy like he's a bit stuffed up. Do they get colds like we do? Does he need to see a vet?

I would, they don’t usually get colds like we do unless they’ve had previous cat flu and then you’ve still got to check incase they have a bacterial infection too.

I took my new rescue cat to the vet last week as we’d just adopted her, she needed more vaccinations and a general health check. She was snotty, sneezing, coughing a bit but still eating/drinking/using her litter tray. The vet diagnosed her with cat flu and as a new owner, I was glad I took her. She had already had one vaccination before rehoming which I think meant her symptoms were mild, but she was definitely ill for a few days.

She’s perked right up today, dashing about all over the place, which has made us realise she was feeling very sorry for herself now her true personality is coming out. If you’re at all concerned, I think its worth calling the vet. But as I said, I’m very new to all this - I did have some wonderful advice from more experienced cat mums here though 😊

I always would just to be safe - cat flu is nasty for them. Definitely worth a check - or if it's easier, vets now have an online service which I've used several times and has been incredibly useful as both of mine, no matter how sad and lethargic and unwell, turn into angry octopuses with knives for legs when I try and get them into a carrier!

https://www.vets-now.com/videovet/

(I have no affiliation with vets now, but am a fairly neurotic cat owner and have found this so helpful as they'll tell you whether your pet needs emergency vet, normal vet the next day or just keeping an eye on! My own vet is I think also thankful as I phone them panicking less often...)

He's been and have been prescribed antibiotics. It is just an upper respiratory infection and he should be fine in a few days.