Upper respiratory infections are ubiquitous in cat populations especially in shelters. Understanding management reduces welfare harm from chronic respiratory disease.
Upper respiratory infection causes significant welfare harm through nasal congestion that reduces the ability to smell (critical for appetite in cats), ocular discomfort from conjunctivitis, and oral pain from calicivirus ulcers. Chronic URI with repeated reactivations is a common welfare problem in cats from shelter backgrounds who were exposed to high viral loads during their most vulnerable periods. Welfare management focuses on reducing stress that triggers reactivation, maintaining good nutrition including warming food to enhance smell when nasal congestion reduces appetite, and prompt veterinary treatment of acute flares. The shelter welfare prevention priority is reducing stress and viral exposure during the shelter stay.