Introduction
Cats are one of the most popular pets in the U.S., with nearly 25% of American households owning at least one feline friend. In some parts of the country, like Vermont, almost half of all households have a cat (Source). With millions of cat owners across the nation, many wonder if it’s safe to eat food that their pet has licked.
This is an important question, as we want to avoid risky behavior while still bonding with our furry companions. In this article, we’ll explore the health risks, examine which foods are more hazardous, and provide tips to safely share snacks with cats.
Risk of Disease
Cats can potentially transmit some diseases through their saliva, but the overall risk is low in most cases. The main disease to be aware of with cat saliva is toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are the definitive host for this parasite, which means it can reproduce sexually in their bodies.
Healthy adult cats that go outdoors and hunt are more likely to be infected with toxoplasmosis. The parasite is shed in their feces, which is how infection spreads. According to the CDC, human infection is unlikely from touching an infected cat or being exposed to cat saliva. Ingesting the parasite is the main route of transmission. This can occur through consuming contaminated water or food, or accidentally ingesting feces from an infected cat while cleaning the litter box.
Most people infected with toxoplasmosis do not have symptoms. For those who do develop symptoms, they are generally mild and flu-like. However, toxoplasmosis can cause serious complications if a woman becomes infected while pregnant or for those with weakened immune systems. Overall, toxoplasmosis infection is uncommon and rarely serious in healthy individuals.
Bacteria and Parasites
There are a variety of bacteria and parasites that can be found in cat saliva. According to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the most notable include Bartonella henselae, which causes Cat Scratch Disease (CSD). This bacteria can be transmitted through a bite or scratch from a cat and may cause swollen lymph nodes, fever, and fatigue in humans.
Another common bacteria is Capnocytophaga, which is normal flora in cat and dog mouths but can cause illness in humans. According to the CDC, this bacteria can cause sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, and eye infections if transmitted to humans through a bite or scratch.
There are also parasites like Toxoplasma gondii that cats can transmit through feces. This parasite causes toxoplasmosis which can flu-like symptoms and more serious complications in people with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.
Kitten Saliva vs Adult Cats
Kittens generally pose a higher risk than adult cats when it comes to transmitting diseases through saliva. This is because kittens have weaker immune systems that make them more susceptible to harboring bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Young kittens in particular have very immature immune systems that are still developing. Their bodies are not as effective at fighting off potential pathogens. As a result, kittens are more likely to have higher loads of infectious organisms in their saliva compared to adult cats.
Some key differences between kitten and adult cat saliva risks include:
- Kittens are more prone to shedding Toxoplasma gondii parasites in their feces, which can spread to their saliva. Toxoplasmosis infection from ingesting kitten saliva is a concern.
- Kittens have a higher prevalence of oral bacteria like Pasteurella multocida that can cause infections if transmitted to humans through a bite or saliva.
- Kittens are more likely to harbor fleas, ticks, or mites that feed on their blood and end up in their saliva.
- Viruses like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are more common in younger cats whose immune system cannot fend them off.
For these reasons, it’s recommended to take extra precautions around kittens, especially avoiding mouth-to-mouth contact or ingesting saliva. The risks decrease as the kitten’s immune system strengthens over time with maturity.
Foods More at Risk
Certain foods that have been licked by a cat pose a higher risk of disease transmission to humans than others. This is because some types of food are more prone to harbor harmful bacteria and parasites.
Raw meat and raw eggs are among the riskiest human foods that can become contaminated with pathogens from a cat’s saliva. Raw meat may contain toxoplasma gondii parasites, and both raw meat and raw eggs can contain salmonella and E. coli from a cat’s mouth [1]. These bacteria multiply quickly on moist, protein-rich foods like these.
Dairy products like milk, yogurt, ice cream, and cheese are also risky, since the warm temperature of these foods can allow rapid pathogen growth. Cats may harbor campylobacter in their mouths, which can contaminate dairy [2].
Fruits and vegetables can also transmit illnesses like salmonella and E. coli from a cat’s saliva to humans. However, the risk is lower than for raw meats, eggs, and dairy since these foods do not allow pathogens to proliferate as quickly.
Safe Food Handling
Avoiding disease transmission when handling food requires some basic precautions:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after petting cats before handling food or eating. This removes pathogens like Salmonella that may be present on cat fur (1). Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness.
- Do not allow cats to lick cooking utensils, dishes, cups or anything else that comes in contact with human food. Cat saliva can contaminate these items (2).
- Be sure to fully cook any raw meat, fish or eggs that your cat may have tasted or eaten from. Heat from thorough cooking kills bacteria and parasites.
- Clean any kitchen surfaces touched by cats using a disinfectant. Keep cats away from food preparation areas.
Practicing good hygiene and separating pet contact from food handling is prudent when living with cats. Simple precautions can reduce health risks.
(1) https://www.purinainstitute.com/science-of-nutrition/neutralizing-allergens/breakthrough
(2) https://www.quora.com/If-the-raw-fish-was-bitten-by-a-cat-is-it-still-safe-to-cook-to-make-it-food-for-people
Immune System Health
Having a strong immune system is important for fighting off diseases and infections. When your immune system is compromised, you are more susceptible to getting sick from bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
You can help boost your immunity through diet and lifestyle choices. Eating a balanced diet rich in whole fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains gives your body the nutrients it needs to keep your immune system healthy. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and reducing intake of sugary beverages is also beneficial. Getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and exercising regularly can further strengthen your immune response.
Some foods thought to be particularly beneficial for immunity include: citrus fruits, berries, garlic, ginger, yogurt, nuts and seeds, green tea, fatty fish, mushrooms, bell peppers, and green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium also support immune function.
Overall, leading a healthy lifestyle with sound nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep gives your immune system the best chance of defending you against illness and infection. Focusing on immune-boosting foods and practices can offer great benefits for your health.
Sources:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/nutrition-and-immunity/
https://www.lifespan.org/lifespan-living/foods-boost-your-immune-system
When to See a Doctor
While a single lick of cat-saliva on food is unlikely to cause an infection, consult your doctor for persistent concerning symptoms that appear within days or weeks after a cat bite or scratch. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seek medical care if you notice the following symptoms of cat scratch disease:
- Fever under 102°F
- Flu-like symptoms like headache, fatigue, and joint pain
- Poor appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- An infected wound from a cat bite or scratch
Cat scratch disease is caused by the Bartonella henselae bacteria carried in cat saliva. While it often resolves on its own, antibiotics can help treat persistent infections. Consult your doctor promptly for concerning symptoms.
Those with weakened immune systems, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with HIV/AIDS or taking chemotherapy, should take extra care. Their bodies have a harder time fighting off infections. Seek medical attention after any cat bite or scratch to prevent complications.
Precautions for Cat Owners
The primary step cat owners should take is frequent handwashing, especially before eating, handling food, or touching your face. Any time you are handling cat food, litter boxes, or soiled bedding, wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Also make sure to maintain hygiene by keeping cats’ vaccinations up to date, eliminating fleas and parasites, and disinfecting litter boxes and other surfaces regularly.
It’s also important to keep cats away from food prep areas and separate their feeding stations from human eating areas. Store cat and human food separately and prevent them from touching any human food or dishes. Whenever possible, avoid letting your cat lick utensils or surfaces that will come into contact with human mouths later.
Following basic hygienic precautions like these can greatly reduce the small risk of disease transmission from cats.
Conclusion
To summarize, while there is some risk of disease transmission from eating food that your cat has licked due to bacteria and parasites, the actual risk is quite low in most cases. Cats generally have very low rates of transmitting salmonella, E.coli and other harmful bacteria compared to dogs. Parasites like toxoplasmosis are only a major concern for pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. For healthy individuals, eating small amounts of food licked by your cat is unlikely to cause illness in most cases. However, it’s still best practice to throw out food and beverages that come in contact with cat saliva, especially raw meats, baby food and formula. Practicing good hygiene like hand washing after petting cats is also recommended. While occasional lapses likely won’t cause harm, it is prudent to err on the side of caution when it comes to food your cat has licked.
To directly answer the central question – can I eat food my cat licked – the answer is it’s generally not recommended, but low risk in small amounts for healthy people. Throwing out food and liquids that cats lick is the safest approach.
