It’s not unusual for us to find ourselves with cats on our kitchen counter, in our bed, or even following us to the bathroom! If you’ve ever been woken by the sandpapery tongue, you might wonder: Can my cat make me sick?
Fortunately, there are very few diseases that humans can get from cats purely by sharing their home, but there are certainly some infections and parasites that we could contract from our feline friends. Let’s take a look at 10 diseases humans can get from cats, what to look out for, and how to minimize your risks.
The 10 Diseases We Can Catch From Cats
A disease that can be transmitted directly between animals and humans is called zoonotic. There are some parasites of cats that can also affect humans, such as tapeworms, that are not spread directly from one to the other, so are not classified as zoonotic.
Fortunately, most of these diseases can be avoided by adhering to good hygiene practices and avoiding interactions with feral cats. Let’s start with the most dangerous:
1. Rabies
Caused by a deadly Rhabdovirus, rabies is a preventable disease that attacks the neurological system of those infected and is invariably fatal once clinical signs appear. In many parts of the world, dogs are the main source of human infection, but in North America, cats have the highest number of reported cases.
The virus is transmitted when the saliva of an infected animal enters the body, either through a bite, scratch, open wound, or direct contact with a mucous membrane (e.g., eyes, mouth, etc.).
Vaccination is our best defense against the virus, with vaccination against rabies mandatory in most US states for all dogs, cats, and ferrets over the age of 4 months. Vaccination for humans is not usually recommended unless your line of work puts you at a higher risk of rabies infection. Even vaccinated humans need to follow a strict post-exposure protocol1 (PEP) if they are potentially exposed to rabies to ensure they do not contract the virus.
Pet cats, particularly those kept indoors, should still receive a rabies vaccination but pose minimal risk to their humans.
2. Bacterial Infections
There are three main ways in which cats are likely to transmit a bacterial infection to humans: bites, scratches, and ingestion.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Pasteurella multocida are bacteria that are commonly found in the mouths of cats, and a bite from an affected feline is like having bacteria injected under the skin. This can be particularly dangerous if it enters a joint or the bloodstream.
Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli are all bacteria that can live in the intestinal tract of cats that we can contract through accidental ingestion of fecal particles. Equally, our cats can also become infected by the same bacteria from us. Infection can be asymptomatic or result in severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a common bacterium that, through the inappropriate use of antibiotics, has become resistant to virtually all antimicrobial treatments. It commonly causes skin infections that can invade deeper structures or cause septicemia, with potentially deadly results. In reality, most cases of MRSA in cats are likely to have come from humans, rather than the other way around.
3. Cat Scratch Disease
Also known as cat scratch fever, this condition is caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae, transmitted from cats to humans, unsurprisingly, through scratching. It can also be spread when an infected cat licks an open wound or licks you enough to cause your skin to break.
Cats are often asymptomatic, but humans will often develop fever, headaches, reduced appetite, and enlarged lymph nodes. In rare cases, the infection can spread to the eyes, brain, heart, or other organs, requiring intensive treatment.
4. Ringworm
Despite the name, ringworm is actually caused by a multitude of fungal organisms and is also known as dermatophytosis or tinea, with different species affecting different parts of the body. Affected cats may have dry, crusting lesions that are not always easy to detect. The infection is transmitted to humans via direct contact with the lesions, or from other objects, like brushes, that contain fungal spores. We can also be the source of infection for our cats.
Fortunately, ringworm infection is rarely severe and responds to antifungal preparations.
5. Tularemia
This bacterial infection is often transmitted via ticks, but humans can also become infected through direct contact with infected cats. Tularemia is often fatal in cats and is potentially life-threatening for humans but tends to respond well to antibiotic treatment. Clinical signs in humans depend on how the bacteria enter the body, but all include a very high fever.
6. Q Fever
Caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, Q fever is most commonly found in farm animal species but can also affect cats and is usually concentrated in the reproductive organs. In cats, it can cause abortion and reproductive problems, but human infections are often asymptomatic or may develop flu-like symptoms. Pregnant women are most at risk, with infection potentially leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery, or low birth weight.
7. External parasites
Although fleas do not tend to stick around on humans for very long, they can still jump on for a ride and a meal. This usually only results in mild itching, but it can put us at risk for contracting diseases transmitted through fleas, such as plague (Yersinia pestis), cat scratch disease, and flea-borne typhus.
8. Cryptosporidium
This protozoal infection can be transmitted from cats to humans via the ingestion of material contaminated with fecal matter. In most people, the infection is asymptomatic or causes mild diarrhea, but immunocompromised people can develop life-threatening complications.
9. Giardia
Similar to Cryptosporidium, Giardia is a protozoal infection spread via contaminated feces, causing diarrhea, vomiting, gas, bloating, and abdominal cramping, although many individuals (cats and humans) are asymptomatic.
10. Toxoplasma
These protozoa rarely cause clinical signs in cats, but if pregnant women come into contact with the urine or feces of infected cats, it can result in severe birth defects. In the past, this resulted in many cats being rehomed or abandoned by their expectant owners, but simple hygiene is enough to prevent infection from felines. Most human cases of Toxoplasmosis come from eating undercooked meat.
Final Thoughts
While it’s important to be aware of the potential diseases we can catch from cats (and from us!), it is just as important to know that almost all can be avoided by maintaining good hygiene, parasite control, and following recommended vaccination protocols.
If you are immunocompromised (e.g., HIV positive or undergoing chemotherapy), extra precautions should be taken when dealing with the cat litter box or handling cats showing signs of illness or infection.
Related Read:
- Can Cats Catch Diseases from Goats?
- Multiple Myeloma in Cats: Our Vet Explains Signs, Causes & Treatment
Featured Image Credit: Hananeko_Studio, Shutterstock
The 10 Diseases We Can Catch From Cats
4 Responses
A neighbor gave me a street kitten, it has crusty ears and beige little dandruff looking crust. have not bathed him. I feel itchy on thighs and arms.
Hey Myrna Maldonado Badillo. Thank you for taking in a street kitten and for reaching out!
It's common for kittens rescued from the street to come with a few things that need attention. The "crusty ears" and "dandruff-looking crust" are definite signs that the kitten needs to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. These signs are often associated with things like ear mites, fleas, or fungal issues (like ringworm), which can all be quite contagious and are treatable by a vet.
Given that you are now feeling itchy, it is absolutely vital for the health of both you and the kitten to seek professional guidance immediately. Please avoid handling the kitten more than necessary until a medical professional has provided a diagnosis and treatment plan.
I am very ill. Bloody gravy diarrhoea. Terrible pains cramping and bloating. This is 9 th day. Sample stool now with GP's surgery. I have 2 old sick cats. Hoping for an answer.
Hi MARGARET DOYLE, we wish you a fast recovery and good health. Hopefully, your MD will find a diagnosis and suitable treatment.