Lifestyle

FIV-Positve Cats Can Live With Other Cats Because … Science

By Jackie Brown

, September 6, 2016

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the July/August 2016 issue of Catster print magazine. Click here to subscribe to Catster magazine.

Great news for people who have cats with feline immunodeficiency virus: A recent and long overdue scientific study showed that FIV-positive cats do not transmit the virus to FIV-negative cats through typical daily activities like sharing food and water, grooming each other, and playing together.

Catster’s JaneA Kelley wrote a commentary on the timing of the study earlier this year.

Grooming doesn't spread FIV. Two cats grooming one another by Shutterstock — Grooming doesn’t spread FIV. Two cats grooming one another by Shutterstock

In the past, FIV was thought to be highly contagious, and many cats were euthanized or segregated from healthy cats. In recent years, however, cat lovers and those in the rescue community anecdotally noticed that not only did their FIV-positive cats usually live long and uncomplicated lives, but they did not seem to pass the disease on to other cats in the household.

Proper introductions will prevent fights that lead to injury and possible transmission of FIV. Cats sniffing one another by Shutterstock

The study, published in The Veterinary Journal by Dr. Annette L. Litster of Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, also found that mother cats did not pass FIV on to their kittens like previously thought.

Tags: Catster Magazine, Health & Care, In The News

Jackie Brown

Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. She is contributing writer for National Geographic’s Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care (April 2019) and author of the book It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases (Lumina Press, 2006). Jackie is a regular contributor to pet and veterinary industry media and is the former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101 and the Popular Cats Series. Prior to starting her career in publishing, Jackie spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals where she assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds and one memorable lion cub. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons and miniature poodle Jäger. Reach her at jackiebrownwriter.wordpress.com.

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