As of: January 31, 2024, 7:30 a.m
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Since the Corona pandemic, zoonoses have become a well-known danger.
But which diseases can cats really transmit to people?
Cats are mammals and have an immune system quite similar to humans.
Therefore, they tend to be susceptible to similar diseases.
When pathogens jump from animals to humans, they are referred to as zoonoses.
There are also a number of diseases in cats that can be transmitted to humans.
However, whether you become infected also depends largely on your own immune system.
We describe the communicable diseases and explain how you can live safely and healthily with your loved one.
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Cat diseases: These can also affect humans
If you practice proper hygiene, cuddling won't be a problem.
© Pond5 Images / Imago
The federal health reporting periodically publishes a list of known zoonoses in pet keeping.
In the following list we have summarized the most important diseases that cats transmit for you:
Parasites:
Ticks, lice, and fleas can often infect both cats and humans.
The little crawling creatures are not dangerous in themselves - but you should still fight them as they often transmit diseases.
Skin fungi:
Fungal infections are very contagious, but rarely dangerous.
With the right medication from the vet, they usually don't pose a problem.
Gastrointestinal infections:
Cats can transmit gastrointestinal infections.
The symptoms here range from harmless diarrhea to severe cases with high fever, circulatory problems and severe pain.
Toxoplasmosis:
The parasites that cause toxoplasmosis lurk primarily in cat feces.
They are particularly dangerous for pregnant women because toxoplasmosis can cause enormous harm to the unborn child.
Cat disease:
Bartonella causes this infection.
If your cat scratches or bites you, the pathogens can enter your bloodstream.
With a healthy immune system, you most likely won't notice the disease at all.
In rare cases, however, inflammation of the lymph nodes can occur, which is associated with pain and fever.
Campylobacteriosis:
A diarrheal disease that can be passed to humans through the saliva of infected cats.
Symptoms include fever, nausea and vomiting.
Rabies:
Germany is generally considered a rabies-free country.
Still, you can theoretically become infected with rabies if a rabid cat bites you.
It is therefore essential that you get vaccinated against rabies if you keep animals.
Without vaccination and treatment, rabies can be fatal for humans.
You can find even more exciting animal topics in the free newsletter from Landtiere.de, which you can subscribe to right here.
How to avoid transmitting cat diseases
To protect yourself from zoonoses, it is best to adhere to the following simple hygiene rules:
Only give your cat ready-made food or well-cooked meat.
Always keep your cat's claws short: trim them regularly or provide suitable scratching areas.
Protect your cat from fleas all year round.
Free-roaming cats also need tick protection.
It is best to ask your veterinarian about appropriate preparations.
Remove all waste from the litter box daily.
Clean them at least once a month with hot water and soap.
If there are pregnant women or other vulnerable people in the household, you should even clean the litter box several times a week.
Wash your hands every time afterwards.
Have any cat examined by a veterinarian before adopting them.
Until then, keep the new arrival away from other cats or vulnerable people.
See a doctor if your cat has bitten or scratched you.
Wear gloves when gardening and wash your hands afterwards.
Avoid skin contact with stray cats.
If an animal needs help, it is best to inform the local animal protection association.