Fever: Can Humans Pass It to Cats?

One: What Causes Cats to Develop a Fever?

1. Upper Respiratory Infection

The most common cause of a cat's fever is an upper respiratory infection, often due to a viral cold. During this time, cats may exhibit clear symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Fever typically occurs when the cat's body responds to inflammation and infection.

2. Bacterial Infection

When a cat sustains a wound and it is not properly cleaned, the wound can become susceptible to bacterial infection. Prolonged exposure to air can lead to inflammation, which can in turn cause a fever.

3. Parasitic Infection

Both internal and external parasites can trigger a fever in cats. External parasites, such as fleas, can cause the cat to excessively scratch, leading to open wounds that become prone to bacterial infections. Internally, parasites may chew on the cat's intestines, causing bleeding and internal infections that result in fever.

4. Cat Viral Diseases

The most notorious example is feline panleukopenia, which can lead to persistent lowgrade fever, along with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

5. Vaccine Side Effects

Following vaccination, some cats with weaker constitutions may experience a lowgrade fever as a side effect of the immune response. Typically, this does not require medical intervention, and the cat should recover within 12 days.

6. Poisoning

Both drug and food poisoning can cause cats to develop a sudden high fever. For instance, ingestion of excessive caffeine can lead to a feverish state in cats.

Two: When Can Fever Be Contagious?

We know that the causes of a cat's fever include the aforementioned reasons, with contagious causes primarily being upper respiratory infections, viral diseases, and parasitic infections. In a multicat household, if one cat is diagnosed with a fever due to these causes, it is crucial for the owner to isolate the cat to prevent the spread to the rest of the group.

Tip:

Not sure how to take your cat's temperature? Click on "How to Measure a Cat's Temperature When They Have a Cold" for guidance.