Bordetella Infection in Cats – Signs and Care

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your cat has this – it can become serious. It is a bacterial infection in cats that can cause disease.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet today if you think your cat has this.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that can cause disease in animals.^[1] In some cats, especially young kittens and cats experiencing high levels of stress, the infection can be more severe and sometimes cause life-threatening pneumonia.^[1]

Signs

Mild sneezing
Coughing
Discharge from the nose
Discharge from the eyes
High temperature (fever)

Causes and risk factors

Young kittens
Cats experiencing high levels of stress

How vets treat it

Treat the infection with antibiotics.
Hospitalise your cat for further supportive treatment if the infection is severe.

What the experts say

“However, in some cats (especially in young kittens, and cats experiencing high levels of stress) infection may be more severe and can sometimes cause life-threatening pneumonia.”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs can Bordetella bronchiseptica infection cause in cats?

Signs can include mild sneezing, coughing, discharge from the nose, discharge from the eyes and a high temperature (fever).^[1]

How do vets treat Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in cats?

Bordetella bronchiseptica infections are treated with antibiotics. If the infection is severe, your cat may need to be hospitalised for further supportive treatment.^[1]

Can Bordetella bronchiseptica infection become serious?

In some cats, especially young kittens and cats experiencing high levels of stress, infection can be more severe and can sometimes cause life-threatening pneumonia.^[1]

Sources

International Cat Care (iCatCare)

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages