Introduction
There are over 70 million stray and feral cats in the United States, according to some estimates. With large populations of cats roaming freely outdoors, a common concern is whether these felines can transmit diseases to pets and even people. While the risk exists, proper precautions and management of stray cat colonies can minimize dangers.
Stray and feral cats have complex relationships with humans and pets. On one hand, they face dangers living outdoors, including disease, starvation, and accidents. Yet cats allowed to roam also raise public health concerns. Understanding the true risks, and how to mitigate them through humane population control, is critical for communities with stray cat colonies.
Common Diseases in Stray Cats
Stray cats are susceptible to several infectious diseases that can be transmitted between cats or even to humans in some cases. Some of the most common diseases seen in stray cat populations include:
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) – FIV is a lentivirus that causes an immunodeficiency syndrome in cats similar to HIV in humans. It is one of the most prevalent infections in stray cats. FIV suppresses the immune system, making cats more prone to secondary infections. It spreads through bite wounds between cats. There is no cure, but infected cats can live for years with proper care (source).
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – FeLV is a retrovirus that infects and replicates within lymphocytes. It causes immunosuppression, anemia, lymphoma and leukemia. It is transmitted through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, milk and blood from infected cats. There is no cure, but a vaccine is available (source).
Feline Panleukopenia – Also known as feline distemper, panleukopenia is caused by a parvovirus. It attacks rapidly dividing cells like bone marrow and intestinal crypt cells. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and sepsis. It spreads via fecal-oral route and is often fatal if untreated.
Bartonellosis – Caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria and transmitted by fleas. Cats are reservoirs for human bartonellosis infections. Symptoms include fever, lymphadenopathy, endocarditis, and neurological signs. Treated with antibiotics.
Rabies – Rabies is a fatal viral disease that infects the central nervous system. All mammals are susceptible, including humans. It is transmitted through saliva of infected animals via bites or scratches. There is no treatment once clinical signs appear.
Disease Transmission
Stray cats can transmit diseases through several means of direct and indirect contact:
Direct contact between cats, such as mutual grooming, allows diseases to spread through saliva. Respiratory illnesses like feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus can spread through coughing and sneezing as well (https://bettervet.com/resources/pet-diseases/how-are-cat-diseases-transmitted).
Diseases can also spread through indirect contact in a shared environment. Using the same food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes can allow the transmission of diseases like feline leukemia virus (https://northamerica.covetrus.com/resource-center/blogs/animal-health/animal-health/2018/06/11/communicable-cat-diseases).
Some airborne diseases like feline viral rhinotracheitis can spread between cats without direct contact as well.
Risks to Owned Cats
Interactions between stray and owned cats can potentially transmit diseases. Two of the biggest disease threats to owned cats from strays are feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) [1].
FIV weakens a cat’s immune system, making it more susceptible to other infections. It is primarily spread through bite wounds from infected cats. FeLV suppresses the bone marrow’s ability to produce blood cells and can cause anemia, immunosuppression, and cancer. It is spread through close contact such as mutual grooming, sharing food bowls, and bite wounds [2].
Owned cats allowed to roam outdoors unsupervised are at a higher risk of contracting these viruses if they encounter infected stray cats. Owned cats who are not vaccinated against FIV and FeLV are also more vulnerable. Keeping owned cats indoors and ensuring they receive recommended vaccines can reduce the risks from stray cat interactions [3].
Protecting Owned Cats
There are several important steps cat owners can take to protect their pets from diseases potentially carried by stray cats:
Keep cats indoors. Keeping your cat inside your home full-time is the best way to prevent exposure to stray cats and any illnesses they may carry. Indoor cats live longer, healthier lives overall.
Vaccinate cats. Make sure your cat is current on all core vaccinations, including feline distemper (FVRCP) and rabies. Vaccines protect against many common transmittable diseases.
Avoid contact with strays. If you spot stray cats around your property, take steps to deter them like blocking access points and removing outdoor food sources. Supervise your cat outdoors to prevent direct interaction.
Spay/neuter your cat. Unaltered cats are more likely to roam outdoors and risk exposure. Spaying/neutering owned cats also helps reduce the overall stray population.
Consult your vet for tailored guidance to reduce your cat’s disease risks. With proper precautions, owned cats can stay healthy despite strays in the area.
Risks to Stray Cats
Stray cats suffer from a lack of routine veterinary care and are vulnerable to severe disease as a result. According to a study from Alley Cat Allies, the most common diseases affecting stray cats are upper respiratory infections, abscesses, ear mites, and intestinal parasites. These illnesses can become debilitating or even fatal without proper treatment.
In addition, when cats congregate in colonies, communicable diseases can spread rapidly among the population. Upper respiratory infections are highly contagious and can affect the majority of cats in a colony. While some cats may develop immunity, others can become chronically ill. Providing medical care and vaccinations is essential to control disease transmission and protect community cat health.
Helping Stray Cats
There are several compassionate and effective ways to help stray cat populations in your community, including:
Trap-Neuter-Return Programs
Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is the process of humanely trapping stray cats, getting them spayed/neutered and vaccinated by veterinarians, and then returning them back to their outdoor home. TNR helps stabilize stray cat populations and improves their health and quality of life. According to Alley Cat Allies, TNR has been shown to effectively end reproduction and reduce nuisance behaviors like yowling or fighting (source).
Adoption/Fostering
For stray cats that are socialized to humans, adoption or fostering can allow them to live indoors with a caring family. Shelters and rescue organizations are often looking for people willing to foster stray cats until permanent homes can be found. Fostering is extremely helpful for nursing mother cats and vulnerable kittens. Adopting from a shelter helps save a life and reduces the stray cat population.
Volunteer at Shelters
Animal shelters and stray cat rescue organizations rely on volunteers to help care for cats, assist with adoptions, provide enrichment, and more. Volunteering your time and skills can make a big difference. Opportunities may include helping at adoption events, providing transportation, doing administrative work, supporting TNR efforts, fostering animals, and spreading community awareness.
Community Cat Colonies
Community cat colonies that are part of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs can help reduce the spread of disease, but still carry some risk. TNR involves humanely trapping feral cats, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them against rabies, and then returning them to their outdoor home. This helps stabilize colony populations and reduces the behaviors that lead to disease transmission like roaming and fighting.
However, TNR colonies can still pose a disease risk if they are not monitored properly. Sick cats may go untreated, and colonies can act as reservoirs for diseases like toxoplasmosis and rabies if they are not consistently vaccinated over time as new cats join. Proper colony management involves continuing to trap new arrivals for spay/neuter and vaccination, providing medical care when needed, and keeping a close eye on the cats’ health.
Well-managed TNR programs are considered a safe and effective approach for feral cat population control. But vigilance is needed to ensure the cats are vaccinated, healthy, and not contributing to disease spread. Ongoing oversight and care for community cat colonies is essential.
Sources:
[1] https://www.alleycat.org/resources/feral-cats-and-the-public-a-healthy-relationship/
[2] https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/trap-neuter-return-of-feral-cats-in-nyc.page
The Takeaway
Research shows that stray and feral cats can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans, other cats, and animals. However, the risks of disease transmission can be managed with proper precautions.
According to a 2018 study published in Zoonoses and Public Health, feral cats can carry toxoplasmosis, rabies, bartonella, and other zoonotic pathogens. But the study also found the risk of disease transmission to be generally low, especially with proper precautions like avoiding direct contact with stray cats, their feces, fleas, or ticks.
Another source from Alley Cat Allies emphasizes that infectious diseases can only spread from cats to humans through direct contact. Simply seeing stray cats in the neighborhood does not pose a significant public health risk. With some basic precautions, the risks of zoonotic disease transmission from stray cats can be minimized.
In summary, while stray cats may carry transmissible diseases, the risks are often overstated. With informed preventative measures, communities can humanely manage stray cat populations while protecting public health.
References
– The ASPCA estimates there are 30-40 million stray and feral cats in the United States.[1] About 75% of kittens born outdoors do not survive to 6 months of age.[2]
– A study by Ohio State University found that feral cats have a life expectancy of less than 2 years.[3] The average lifespan for an indoor cat is 12-18 years.[4]
– According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), rabies, toxoplasmosis, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and intestinal parasites are among the most common infectious diseases in cats.[5]
– The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery estimates owned cats allowed outdoors are 2-3 times more likely to become infected with various diseases compared to indoor cats.[6]
– Research by UC Davis showswell-managed feral cat colonies can thrive and keep down rodent populations through trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs.[7]
