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My dog has a URI. Can my cat catch his respiratory infection?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 2 years and 8 months old

Hi there. My mother's dog just went to the vet because he was sneezing and coughing and had a nasal discharge, they suspected a foreign body in his nose however I don't think it so as now my cat has been sneezing, coughing less frequently and scratching her nose violently, she also forces air out her nose and it sounds a little wet as well. She has no nasal discharge.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Kevin Sanada, DVM

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 3rd, 2017

That is definitely suspicious, because they can share certain upper respiratory diseases. If the vet did not find a foreign body, then hopefully they would be treating for infection. This would be good information to pass along to your mother's vet.

Also, Ginger should see the vet. The infections that are passed from dogs to cats are bacterial, so this will require antibiotics to clear the infection.

I hope that helps and Ginger gets better soon.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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