Common & Contagious Illnesses in Cats

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your cat is sick because they are experts at hiding their discomfort which is why cat parents have to pay attention and be knowledgeable about the signs of contagious illnesses that are common among cats.

Your Cat's Health

Cats are impassive animals and are very talented at hiding signs of pain or symptoms of illness. Often, cats will hide out of sight when they don't feel well. This is what makes it hard to tell if your cat is sick. This makes it very important for pet parents to keep an eye on their cat's health and be prepared for when their beloved kitty does show signs of being unwell. 

Common & Contagious Illnesses Among Cats

There are contagious illnesses that are seen more frequently than others among cats, and there are a couple you should know about if you have a cat in your home.

Upper Respiratory Infections (Cat Colds)

Viruses and bacteria such as feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus can lead your cat to develop an upper respiratory tract infection which affects their nose, throat, and sinuses.

These illnesses are very contagious among cats that live in multi-cat homes, in shelters, or spend a lot of time outdoors and encounter other cats. Feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus are transmitted during regular activities such as grooming, sharing a food or water bowl, or coughing and sneezing. Cats infected with the virus can then easily go on to transmit the illness to other cats within the household, or within the neighborhood. Common symptoms of upper respiratory illness in cats include:

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV as it is commonly called, is most often seen in male outdoor cats with a tendency to fight. This cat illness can be very serious and is often spread through bites obtained during fights, however, in rare situations, it can be passed from a female cat to her kittens.

FIV is a slow-acting virus and sometimes the symptoms might not even show up until years after the initial infection occurs. That said, FIV can severely weaken your cat's immune system once the disease takes hold, making your feline friend susceptible to several serious secondary infections.

With the appropriate treatment, infected cats that are kept in an indoor, stress-free environment can live comfortable lives for several months or years before the disease reaches its chronic stages.

If your cat is infected with FIV, symptoms may not become apparent for months or years, or they could be intermittent. If your kitty is displaying any of the following symptoms it could be suffering from Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and require immediate veterinary care to help prevent symptoms from becoming more severe.

Common symptoms of FIV include:

Can I Catch an Illness From My Cat?

Yes. There are a few illnesses that are common among cats that can be spread to people, these are called Zootonic illnesses. But you will be happy to know that it's very uncommon to get sick from your pet. However, you are at a higher risk if you have a weakened immune system.

Don't worry, you don't have to give up your cat, you just need to take the proper measures recommended by your vet such as keeping your cat indoors, staying up to date with your cat's routine vaccinations and parasite prevention, and taking your cat to the vet for regular checkups.

Below we have provided a list of some of the most common Zootonic cat illnesses:

• Rabies
• Toxoplasmosis
• Hookworms
• Roundworms
• Cat-Scratch disease
• Salmonellosis

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

If your cat is displaying any signs of a contagious cat illness, talk to a veterinarian near you for diagnosis and treatment to help your cat feel better.