15 Illnesses Your Cat Can Pass To You

Avoiding a sneezing or coughing housemate is second nature. After all, you know they might be contagious, and you want to avoid getting infected. But what should you do when the sick creature in your home is your cat? Many infectious diseases that cats are susceptible to are only dangerous to other cats, but there are, of course, exceptions. Zoonotic diseases are those that can spread from animals to humans — for instance, you might contract toxoplasmosis from cleaning an infected litter box or a Pasteurella infection from a bout of rough play that ends in a rogue scratch or bite.

Knowing that you can get a disease from your cat can make your furry friend seem like a mini health hazard. However, according to guidelines from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (formerly the American Association of Feline Practitioners) published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, humans are "rarely infected" by exposure to cats. When an infection does occur, the symptoms are usually unnoticeable or mild in healthy adults. Children and adults with compromised immune systems face an increased risk of contracting serious illnesses from cats, but the likelihood of getting sick is still low. You can reduce the risk further by practicing responsible cat ownership and regularly taking your cat to the veterinarian, who can deduce if your cat is sick with an illness that you could potentially catch.

If you asked a crowd of people to name a zoonotic disease affecting cats, toxoplasmosis would likely be among the top answers. This disease affects most mammals and birds, but it's particularly linked to cats because the parasite that causes it can easily mature and sexually reproduce in feline bodies. Once infected, cats can shed the oocysts produced by the parasites in the litter box via their feces for several weeks. Doctors often advise pregnant women not to sift litter boxes to avoid toxoplasmosis exposure.

Staying completely away from the parasite may be challenging, as toxoplasmosis is a highly prevalent disease. The CDC estimates that infections have occurred in roughly 11% of Americans over the age of 6, though the vast majority of those infections have nothing to do with cats. In fact, humans have a greater chance of contracting toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat.

Regardless of where the infection comes from, humans with toxoplasmosis usually don't show symptoms. Infected cats follow a similar pattern. They rarely show symptoms unless they're young or already suffering from another health condition. If they do exhibit signs of infection, they may become feverish and lethargic, and you should seek veterinarian aid to be safe.

Your cat is so cuddly and cute that it's easy to forget that it's actually a predator with claws. Cats can scratch and bite when they're playing, fighting, or feeling scared, and if the cat is infected with Bartonella henselae, these bites and scratches can spread the bacteria to humans and trigger cat scratch disease. CDC guidelines for veterinarians estimate that 30% to 40% of U.S. cats are infected with B. henselae bacteria. It's so common because the bacteria are found in fleas and flea droppings. However, despite the high number of infected cats, symptomatic cat scratch disease is rare. Research published in StatPearls in 2023 shows that 55% of cat scratch disease patients are children, and most of those cases settle on their own. The majority of the remaining incidents involve individuals who are immunocompromised.

The symptoms of cat scratch disease include a swelling at the cat scratch or bite area, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and fever. In extremely rare cases, the infection can spread to the eyes, liver, spleen, and brain. You can reduce your chance of getting sick by keeping your cat indoors and immediately washing the wound if you get bitten or scratched. Additionally, be extra careful around your kitten. Kittens play rambunctiously, so they're more likely to spread cat scratch disease.

Roundworms are parasitic worms that swim around in your cat's intestines. They're extremely common and usually don't cause problems for adult cats. Kittens, however, tend to get sicker because the worms suck up much-needed nutrients, and eventually, they grow weak and can become more susceptible to diseases and infections. Cats contract roundworms when they ingest roundworm eggs, eat infected hosts (like rodents), or consume contaminated breast milk. Infected mothers can also spread the infection in the womb.

Humans can get roundworms from cats, too. Cats shed roundworm eggs in their feces, and you can get sick from handling the litter box and touching your mouth afterward. Touching contaminated dirt and soil is another common way humans contract roundworms. Similar to cats, most people who have roundworms experience no symptoms. Research from Mayo Clinic Laboratories found that 5% of Americans have roundworm antibodies, and sadly, children are disproportionately affected because they're more like to play with dirt and poop and less likely to wash their hands.

Like roundworms, hookworms can live in your cat's intestines. Kittens tend to face the severest symptoms, and it's recommended that they receive dewormer treatment multiple times a year, whether they seem sick or not. Symptoms of a hookworm infection in cats include blood in the feces, weight loss, and anemia, and outdoor cats face the most exposure to hookworms because they may eat infected rodents or soil. Indoor cats are safer, but it's impossible to guarantee that your cat avoids hookworms. Even cockroaches can be carriers!

People can get round worms from cats, but most hookworm infections happen when people are playing at the beach or in the woods. Infected animals eject larvae in their feces, which then become mixed with the sand and soil. Meanwhile, infected house cats are less of a problem because people don't play in litter boxes. If you do get infected with hookworms, you shouldn't have gastrointestinal symptoms like a cat. In humans, hookworms cause an itchy skin disease called cutaneous larva migrans.

You don't need to be a vet to spot the signs that your cat has tapeworms — just look at their litter box. Do you see tiny white worms squirming in their stool? Look under your cat's tail, too. Tapeworms can appear like tiny white seeds or grains of rice. You might also notice your cat sliding its butt along the floor because it's so itchy.

Multiple tapeworms can infect cats. The most common is called the flea tapeworm because it's spread by infected fleas. Your cat can get sick if they accidentally consume one of these fleas while grooming. This may appear worrisome, but you can easily treat your cat's worms. Moreover, contracting the infection yourself, while certainly possible, is rare. For you to get sick, you'd also have to ingest an infected flea being carried by your cat, whether during a cuddling session where your face is close to your cat's fur or if a flea jumped onto your plate while you were eating.

Over-the-counter worm medicine works well for cats, but make sure to do a deep clean of your home as well since fleas can thrive in carpets and on upholstered furniture. It's also a good idea to take your cat to the vet and make sure it's okay, even if the over-the-counter medication seemed to be effective. 

If you've ever experienced an upset stomach while on vacation, you might have had giardiasis. Many cases of "traveler's diarrhea," as it's often called, can be traced to this infection. Giardiasis is caused by Giardia, a single-celled protozoan that exists around the world and spreads via contaminated water, soil, and feces. In both humans and cats, giardiasis symptoms include intense diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort. It's also possible not to have any symptoms.

Only cats with loose stools are typically tested for Giardia, making it difficult to estimate the rate of infection, and even if they do get tested, they're often diagnosed with non-specific diarrhea. Most humans catch giardiasis by ingesting food or water that's tainted by sick livestock or wildlife, not from their cats, though it's still possible. For example, animals might contaminate a lake or river where people swim. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, "all surface waters probably contain Giardia," and every year, the protozoan infects 200 million people. Infections tend to resolve on their own but are sometimes treated with drugs. 

Cryptosporidium is another intestinal parasite, and there are several species targeting different vertebrate hosts. C. felis, for instance, mostly affects cats, while C. hominis affects humans. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, reports of humans being infected with C. felis are scarce, though they do happen. Most of the known cases involve children and people with weakened immune systems. Cryptosporidium transmission occurs through the ingestion of food and water contaminated with feces.

Cats with cryptosporidiosis may suffer from diarrhea and weight loss. Healthy cats can generally fight off the infection on their own, but kittens and cats with poor immune function may need extra help. That help can range from doing home IV drips to giving your cat medication, depending on your vet's advice. In 2015 research published in Infection Ecology & Epidemiology, an immunocompromised human patient with C. felis experienced severe diarrhea, fever, and joint pain. This study is one of the few that shows cat-to-human cryptosporidium transmission, helping us understand how to prevent infection better.

Some illnesses that you can catch from your cat might leave scars, and these include scabies. Also called sarcoptic mange, this condition causes itching and lesions on the skin. Severe cases can also cause hair loss. The irritation comes from mites, little arachnids that burrow into hosts and lay eggs. Humans aren't appropriate hosts for cat scabies mites, so they can't penetrate your skin, but that won't protect you from being potentially marred.

Scabies is highly contagious because the mites frequently jump onto new surfaces. To cure an infection, you'll need to treat your cat and clean its environment. Mites are similar to fleas and can live on carpets, fabrics, and household items, so skipping the deep clean puts you at risk of re-infestation. If you have multiple animals, isolate the sick cat so the others stay healthy. You may also decide to treat all of your pets for scabies regardless of who's showing symptoms just to be safe. Mite treatments include specialized shampoos, skin ointments, and medications.

You may hear cheyletiellosis referred to as "walking dandruff." It's a contagious skin disease caused by mites that live on cats, dogs, and rabbits. The mites can't survive on humans, but they can still cause significant irritation. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Parasitic Diseases examined how cheyletiellosis mites were transmitted from a single Persian cat to his owner and some of her family members, who had large, itchy papules all over their upper bodies.

The walking dandruff nickname comes from how the mites interact with skin: Instead of burrowing, they irritate the skin and cause scaling. The mites' movements then cause these skin scales to shift, making it appear as if dandruff is moving about. Currently, no medications specifically for cheyletiellosis exist, but vets can prescribe off-label treatments. A sulphur-based dip like Lymdyp may also help your cat, but ask your vet about it first. For humans, topical lotions and ointments are common aids.

It's not unusual for humans to contract salmonellosis, but cats are rarely the source. Most human cases of salmonellosis are caused by consuming undercooked or raw meat infected with Salmonella spp. That's also how many cats contract this disease. Sick cats shed salmonella through their saliva and feces, making their water bowl and litter box potential infection zones. Even their fur can be contaminated. Despite this, cat-to-human Salmonella transmission is not likely. You can mitigate a lot of the risk by regularly washing your hands and changing the kitty litter.

Most cats with salmonellosis don't exhibit symptoms. If the cat's immune system struggles to fight off the bacteria, it may develop symptomatic salmonellosis and experience diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness. Treatment involves taking antimicrobial medication and replenishing lost fluids. Salmonellosis is extremely contagious, so it's classified as a notifiable disease. As such, your vet needs to notify your state's Board of Agriculture if your cat tests positive for Salmonella bacteria.

Most cats — upward of 90% — have Pasteurella bacteria in their saliva, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center. The bacteria generally don't harm cats, but they can make you sick with pasteurellosis. Cats spread the bacteria to humans when they bite and scratch us. The European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases reports that Pasteurella is one of the bacteria found most often in infected cat bites. If you're exposed to the bacteria and get sick, you'll notice symptoms quickly. The site where you were bitten or scratched may swell and grow red within a day's time.

The majority of pasteurellosis cases are curable with antibiotics. Children and those who are already sick, however, are at risk of a more serious disease course. Severe pasteurellosis can cause cellulitis, eye infections, arthritis, and pneumonia. It can even cause necrotizing fasciitis, an infection that kills soft tissue. To try to stay safe from Pasteurella, wash any scratch or bite wound from your cat immediately.

For your cat, plague is one of the most dangerous illnesses on this list. Fortunately, it's also one of the rarest. According to the CDC, a cat in Oregon transmitted plague to its owner in 2024. The man survived, but he was hospitalized for several days. He's only the 19th person in the state to get plague over the past 90 years, showing just how rare this disease has become.

All mammals are susceptible to plague, a life-threatening disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Cats and humans contract plague through multiple transmission routes: being bitten by an infected flea, inhaling air droplets that are infected, and touching infected animal tissue. Symptoms of plague in cats include enlarged lymph nodes, vomiting, and trouble breathing. Plague is often fatal without prompt treatment, so you should take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice any worrying symptoms. A vet may order antibiotics and hospitalization to replenish your cat's fluids.

Rabies is a serious public health threat. Without treatment, the viral disease is fatal in most cases. Infected animals carry the virus in their saliva, and they spread it by biting new hosts. Avoiding the bite of a rabid animal can be challenging if it's behaving aggressively and unpredictably, but it's important to get away. It doesn't matter if the sick animal is your own sweet cat; rabid animals don't act like their normal selves. Additional symptoms of rabies in cats include unusual vocalizations and impaired coordination.

Rabies is so dangerous that most states require cat owners to vaccinate their pets against the disease. Because of this rule, rabies isn't common among house cats. The CDC estimates that 91 million cats and dogs in the U.S. receive rabies vaccinations every year. It's considered very safe because most cats don't have worrying side effects to the rabies vaccine. If you don't vaccinate your cat and it tests positive for rabies, it will need to be isolated and likely euthanized. Your vet will also have to notify the state.

Ringworm sounds like something that wriggles in your intestines, but it's actually a common fungal infection that targets the skin. The medical term for ringworm is dermatophytosis, and it's so contagious that 50% of people exposed to cats with ringworm contract the infection, according to 2016 research published in the Journal of Feline Medicine Surgery. Children are particularly vulnerable.

Ringworm spreads by direct contact, and the fungus can live on humans, animals, carpets, and surfaces. Contamination is hard to control because your cat can spread the fungus around your home before you even realize that it's sick. Symptoms of ringworm in cats include bald patches, itchiness, and inflamed skin. Sometimes, the nails are also impacted, and they may change color or become thicker. If you develop ringworm, you might notice thick or crusty skin lesions. Treatment involves isolation and medication, and disinfecting surfaces can help keep your home clean and prevent further infections.

When it comes to MRSA, your cat actually has more to fear from you than the other way around. Cats usually contract MRSA from human contact, while humans can get the infection in a variety of ways, including from cats in rare cases. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, and it's a version of staph bacteria that can't be killed by the antibiotic methicillin. It's often very hard to treat, making it quite dangerous.

Getting exposed to MRSA doesn't mean that you or your cat will get sick. A healthy immune system may be able to kill the organism and prevent infection. When infection does occur, MRSA symptoms include inflamed skin, skin lesions, fever, and pain. The good news for your kitty is that Staph bacteria can't live long on a cat's body. Cats who get sick from MRSA are typically immunocompromised. If either you or your cat has an infection, the safest thing to do is to stop cuddling and keep some distance.

Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your pet's diet, exercise, or care. To find an accredited veterinarian in your area, you can search the American Animal Hospital Association's online database.