How to Reduce URI Infections in Cat Kennels

When large numbers of cats are housed together, one of the most common medical problems is upper respiratory infection (URI). Stress and overcrowding are two factors that increase the likelihood of URI in cats, and cats commonly experience these two factors when housed in kennels or shelters. Despite URI being highly contagious and vaccines being only somewhat effective, there are steps you can take to reduce feline URIs in your kennel.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat toys
  • Scratching posts
  • Cat trees
  • Bleach
  • High-quality cat food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Evaluate the number of cats you can realistically house in your kennel without overcrowding. Calculate this number by dividing the total number of cubic feet of cage space in your kennel by 30, the number of cubic feet each cat needs, per the Cat Fancier's Association. Limit the number of cats in your kennel to below that number to reduce feline URI in your kennel.

    • 2

      Create an environment that reduces stress for the cats. Provide places for the cats to hide, install different levels of perches for the cats, keep the environment quiet, provide cycles of light and dark, and keep temperatures comfortable. Add toys and scratching posts to reduce cat stress.

    • 3

      Provide adequate air exchange in your kennel. Install screened windows, which supply a constant source of fresh air and are the simplest means of creating an adequate air exchange during warmer seasons, according to the Cat Fanciers' Association. If windows aren't possible---or during colder seasons---bring in fans to maintain air flow.

    • 4

      Disinfect your kennel regularly, at least once per day and preferably twice per day. Mix a solution of one part bleach to 32 parts water to disinfect against most URI agents. Use this solution to clean cages, kennels, floors, bowls, litter boxes and other surfaces. Dry cages, floors and other surfaces before putting cats back inside.

    • 5

      Feed your cats a high-quality diet. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on brands of food best suited for your particular cats.

    • 6

      Vaccinate cats before bringing them into your facility and keep vaccinations up-to-date for resident cats.

    • 7

      De-worm cats coming into your kennel and provide regular de-worming for resident cats. Intestinal parasites have been linked to URIs in cats.

    • 8

      Isolate cats with obvious symptoms of upper respiratory infection, including runny nose, runny eyes, sneezing, fever and lack of appetite.

    • 9

      Quarantine cats coming into your kennel for two weeks before allowing them to join the general population.