Most feline diseases are caused by microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Many cat-related diseases only affect felines. A few feline-borne illnesses can make humans sick.
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1. Know the Main Disease Culprits
The following diseases can be transmitted to humans by cats:
• Campylobacteriosis
• Cat scratch disease
• Cat tapeworm
• Cryptosporidiosis
• Giardiasis
• Hookworm
Cats may not show any symptoms when infected with some of the above diseases. Human symptoms range from fever to stomach issues to rashes and even more depending on the disease.
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2. Understand How Cat-Related Diseases Spread
Some of the cat-borne diseases above are spread by contact with pet saliva and/or feces. Feline fecal matter can be encountered in more places than just the litter box.
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2. Understand How Cat-Related Diseases Spread
People can come in contact with tiny to large amounts of cat feces when they do the following:
• Change cat’s litter box
• Pick up cat feces
• Pet or carry their cat
• Groom their cat
• Touch surfaces where cat has been
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2. Understand How Cat-Related Diseases Spread
If cats have been in your yard, their feces may be in the dirt around your property. Some diseases, including hookworms can be contracted by talking a walk, kneeling, or sitting on areas that contain infected cat feces.
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2. Understand How Cat-Related Diseases Spread
Imagine you leave a glass of water on the counter while you answer the phone. Your cat hops on the counter, fresh from scratching in their litter box, and dips their paw into the water glass and takes a few licks off their toes.
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2. Understand How Cat-Related Diseases Spread
When you come along later and take a drink out of that now-infected glass of water, you may acquire a fecal-borne disease if your cat has one.
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2. Understand How Cat-Related Diseases Spread
In addition, cats can transmit diseases via infected ticks. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other illnesses can be transmitted by ticks.
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2. Understand How Cat-Related Diseases Spread
Other feline-related diseases are transmitted via a scratch from the cat. Raised, swollen, or red areas near cat scratches can indicate infections. You should follow up with your doctor if any of these occur.
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3. Schedule Routine Feline Veterinary Checkups
Routine veterinary checkups and vaccinations are the keys to keeping your cat and yourself free of diseases.
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3. Schedule Routine Feline Veterinary Checkups
At a routine wellness exam, your cat will be checked with both a physical exam and maybe additional diagnostic procedures to ensure your cat is parasite- and disease-free.
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3. Schedule Routine Feline Veterinary Checkups
When your feline pet visits the veterinarian on a regular basis, your cat receives timely rabies shots to safeguard your family against the dangerous disease.
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3. Schedule Routine Feline Veterinary Checkups
If your cat regularly spends time outdoors or in the woods near your home, your cat’s vet can provide advice on how often to immunize your feline against rabies.
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3. Schedule Routine Feline Veterinary Checkups
Veterinarians also provide reliable, safe tick-and-flea repellents that keep the pesky, disease-carrying parasites off your cat.
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3. Schedule Routine Feline Veterinary Checkups
If your cat is infected with a bacteria or other illness, your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics and effective treatments.
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4. Practice Careful Cat Hygiene
With a few proper cat-handling habits, most of the above diseases can be avoided. Most people don’t get sick from their cats. However, people with weakened immune systems should take special precautions when in contact with cats.
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4. Practice Careful Cat Hygiene
Institute a strict policy of handwashing in your household. All persons should thoroughly wash their hands before eating and after any contact with your cat, their feces, or the surfaces where cats roam.
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4. Practice Careful Cat Hygiene
Other steps to follow include:• Don’t let cats drink toilet water.
• Don’t feed cats raw meat.
• Discourage people from kissing cats on the mouth.
• Keep cat living spaces clean and tidy.
• Change cat litter daily and wash hands very well afterward.
• Spay or neuter your cat.
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4. Practice Careful Cat Hygiene
Keep cats away from kitchen storage, food-prep, and serving areas. Disinfect any countertop or prep areas where cats have been before you prepare food on the surfaces.