Although the benefits of having a furry friend far outweigh the risks, there are certain diseases that can pass from your cat to you—also known as zoonotic diseases. Learn how you can protect yourself and your cat from the most common zoonotic diseases.
What are zoonotic diseases?
Zoonoses refers to infections or diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 61% of all human diseases are zoonotic in origin; furthermore, 75% of new diseases discovered in the last decade are zoonotic.
Today, zoonotic diseases are less of an issue in developed countries like the U.S., yet remain a major concern in many developing countries.
Which diseases can you get from a cat?
Let’s reiterate the fact that it is very unlikely that you will ever get sick from your cat—particularly if you keep your cat indoors. That being said, you should be aware of which feline infections and diseases might be contagious to you.
Rabies
Rabies is nearly always fatal in both humans and animals. Any mammal can be exposed to rabies through exposure to saliva of a rabid animal. Signs of rabies typically occur within 3-12 weeks of bite exposure, but it can have an incubation period of 1 week up to and beyond 1 year. Once symptoms develop, death is typically seen within 1-10 days. Learn more about rabies and why your indoor cat needs a rabies vaccine.
How humans are exposed: through saliva via bite wounds.
Toxoplasmosis
Cats can contract the parasite Toxoplasma gondii from eating raw meat (such as outdoor prey) or from contaminated soil. Once infected, a cat can shed the parasite in its feces for up to two weeks. Although most healthy people won’t show symptoms, women who are infected just prior to or during pregnancy can pass the parasite on to their unborn children—with dire consequences. Learn more about toxoplasmosis and pregnancy.
How humans are exposed: gardening without gloves, eating raw or undercooked meat, or handling infected cat feces.
Cat scratch disease (aka cat scratch fever)
Is a cat nail scratch dangerous? Rarely, yes. Cat scratch disease is an infection caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. It spreads when an infected feline scratches or bites a person hard enough to break the skin, or licks a person’s open wound. Typically, “cat scratch fever” causes a mild reaction in people, including swelling, lesions, or pus at the site of the bite or scratch. Rarely, the disease can cause serious complications. Learn more about cat scratch disease.
How humans are exposed: through bites, scratches, or saliva on an open wound by an infected cat.
Salmonella and campylobacter
It’s possible to contract salmonella or campylobacter poisoning through the stool of infected cats. Felines contract these bacteria groups from feeding on raw meat and wildlife. Usually salmonella or campylobacter poisoning resolves on its own, but some people require medical attention to treat diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
How humans are exposed: gardening without gloves, eating raw or undercooked meat, or handling infected cat feces.
Giardia
Another infection passed through cat feces is caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia. Cats may become infected through contaminated water sources or uncooked food items. People who are infected may experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and dehydration. Prescription drugs usually clear up the infection in no time.
How humans are exposed: gardening without gloves, eating raw or undercooked meat, or handling infected cat feces.
Ringworm
Ringworm, or Dermatophytosis, is a common fungal disease of the environment. Cats can carry it on their fur and shed it to humans they come in contact with. Ringworm often presents in people as red, hairless, dried circular patches on the skin. Topical medication like Tinactin usually clears up the infection. Learn more about ringworm in cats.
How humans are exposed: contact with an infected animal or person.
Roundworms and hookworms
Can humans get worms from cats? Yes, intestinal parasites including roundworms and hookworms can be transmitted from cats to humans via cat feces. Children may be more susceptible due to a higher likelihood of coming into contact with contaminated cat feces while playing in soil. Most people who become infected don’t show signs of illness. Learn more about worms in cats.
Note: Cats cannot transmit heartworms to humans.
How humans are exposed: gardening or playing in soil / sandboxes without gloves, eating raw or undercooked meat, or handling infected cat feces.
Fleas and scabies
External parasitic pests like fleas and scabies (mange) can be passed between cats and humans. Flea bites cause itching and inflammation, while scabies burrow into the skin and cause itchy, raised lesions. Treating your pet is most important for ridding the household of these pests. Learn more about flea treatment for cats, as well as mange in cats.
Note: Cats cannot transmit Lyme disease directly to humans.
How humans are exposed: contact with an infected animal.
Tips to prevent the spread of diseases from cats to humans
It’s especially important to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases if members of the household have immature or weakened immune systems, including:
- Infants
- The elderly
- People with autoimmune disorders or acquired immune deficiencies like AIDS
- People undergoing chemotherapy treatment or receiving other drugs that may suppress their immune systems
Keep your cat indoors
The odds of your cat contracting a zoonotic disease are dramatically reduced or even eliminated if they don’t have access to all of the risks the outdoors brings: ingesting wildlife, fighting with other cats, digging in soil, and more.
Stay up-to-date on vaccines
Not only is it legally required, but keeping your cat up-to-date on their rabies vaccine ensures you don’t have to worry about this terrible, 100% fatal disease every time a bat flies out of the attic or your cat slips outside.
Wear gloves while gardening
This simple precaution can reduce the risk of exposure to toxoplasmosis, salmonella, campylobacter, giardia, roundworms, hookworms, and more.
Feed your cat cooked, commercially processed food
Contact with raw cat food—while you prepare it or while your cat eats it—that’s been contaminated with toxoplasmosis, salmonella, campylobacter, or giardia can sicken multiple species in your household.
Wash cat bites and scratch wounds immediately
Use soap and running warm water to flush out any bacteria. Don’t hesitate to see your doctor to determine if additional treatment like antibiotic therapy is necessary.
Consider adopting an older cat
Kittens less than one year old are more likely to shed certain zoonotic diseases, including toxoplasmosis and cat scratch disease.
Use preventative flea treatment
To reduce the risk of a household pest infestation, talk to your veterinarian about preventative flea treatment. There are products on the market that address fleas, ticks, and heartworm prevention in an easy-to-apply monthly topical medication.
Wash your hands after scooping the litter box – or try a self-cleaning litter box
A disproportionate amount of zoonotic diseases occur after handling the feces of an infected cat, the most well known of which is toxoplasmosis. Always wash your hands after cleaning the litter box. Health care providers recommend that immunocompromised or pregnant people avoid cleaning the litter box, or wear gloves if that is not an option.
With a self-cleaning litter box like Litter-Robot, you’ll never have to scoop litter again. Cat feces and urine clumps are automatically cycled into the Litter-Robot waste drawer—all you need to do is empty the drawer when it’s full. No unpleasant contact required!
Can cats get sick from humans?
Rarely, certain diseases and infections can be passed from humans to cats. These include the following:
- Viruses such as H1N1 and COVID-19
- Ringworm
- Salmonella
- Giardia infection
- Smoking-related diseases (don’t smoke around your pets!)
If you are sick with a cold, the flu, or a fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection, you should take care to avoid direct contact with your cats and other pets, just as you would with humans.
Sources:
- Cornell Feline Health Center
- The World Health Organization
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
- Zoonotic Diseases in Cats
