Upper respiratory tract infections in cats is common. Symptoms are limited to those in the head and throat -  nose, throat and sinus. The lungs are not involved, so you won't see heavy or laboured breathing.

When there is congestion, the cat may mouth breathe.

It may remain in the upper area or descend into the lungs. This depends on the immunity level of the cat. If the immune system is in good shape, it may heal on its own. If it's in reasonable health, it may remain as is. If it's in poor shape, it may descend.

Common symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections include:

• sneezing
• nose discharge
• eye discharge
• nose or sinus congestion
• cough

Rarely is there a loss of appetite, although if the nose is congested, smell maybe affected. Cats like to know what they're eating!

Fever is unlikely as this is a mild condition, more like a cold in us.

The eyes can be sore, with squinting just as with an allergic reaction.

The function of the immune system is to keep the body healthy.  That involves prevention to a large extent. When that can't be prevented, then self recovery after a short period of malaise.

Wild cats need to be healthy to ensure they don't die out. And when you see how successful wild cats are, then you can appreciate that their immune systems must be in excellent shape.

Domestic cats fare less well. This can be explained in a nutshell:

• diet
• health care
• toxins
• stress

Commercial cat food is one of the major causes of the poor health that is endemic in cats today.  The problem include:

• non species-specific makes it difficult to digest and utilise
• poor quality ingredients leading to nutrient deficiency
• cooked at high temperatures, destroying and altering the few remaining nutrients
• synthetic supplements are toxic
• preservatives are toxic

All veterinary drugs suppress the immune system. Their design, by the drug companies, are not to cure. Drugs are synthetic. They are not natural to the body. This means they are toxic. Many contain heavy metals.

Cats do not possess the complex livers of herbivores and omnivores. Carnivores do not have this need. This means that they are much more sensitive to toxins than we are.

Few mainstream vets will diagnose your cat's conditions as toxicity. There is no drug to sell for that. Yet probably 90-95% of domestic cats today are suffering from this condition.

Cats, as prey animals, don't show their feelings easily. It doesn't mean they don't have them. Far from it. They keep their feelings to themselves as a self survival skill. Predators are good at spotting even a hint of weakness in their prey.

Cats are excellent mothers. The common removal of their kittens at much too early an age, stresses both mother and kittens immensely.

Other major stressors to cats include:

• journeys
• vet clinic
• shelters, pet shops/stores
• new homes
• noise
• lack of a private bolt hole
• never feeling the earth under their paws, the direct sun on their fur

Healing really just involves reversing the existing habits.

For example:

• feed your cat a species-specific, quality, natural diet. This alone can do wonders for a cat’s health, reversing often severe, deep and destructive pathology, including the target issue.
• holistic health care, especially homeopathic treatment works fabulously well on animals, as well as people. Instead of suppressing the immune system, it supports it. Your cat’s health starts to improve overall, bringing joyful energy
• reduce the toxins in your cat's environment by changing to natural cleaning products, etc
• reduce stress by keeping your home harmonious and peaceful, providing safe bolt holes, if possible allowing some safe time outside

Upper respiratory tract infections in cats, as well as all the other problems domestic cats are prone to, can be a thing of the past. It’s not just good for your cat. It’s also great for your bank balance. Any your peace of mind.