Although raising cats can bring a lot of joy, some pathogens carried by cats may indeed infect humans. These diseases are called zoonoses. While most healthy adults experience mild or no symptoms after infection, for people with weakened immune systems (such as infants, the elderly, pregnant women, or those with immune system diseases), these diseases may be more severe. Understanding these potential risks and taking appropriate preventive measures can help you and your cat live healthily and happily together.

Health risks of raising cats: 15 common diseases and prevention

Raising cats is like opening a mystery box—you never know what "interesting things" will happen next. However, besides the joy cats bring, as a cat owner, it is necessary to understand some diseases that may "transmit" from cats to humans. This doesn't mean cats are "sources of poison" but to better prevent and protect yourself and your family. These diseases, transmitted from animals to humans, are called "zoonoses." Although it sounds scary, don’t panic. In most cases, as long as you maintain good personal hygiene and care for your cat, the risk is controllable.

Below, let’s discuss 15 common diseases cat owners may need to know about, along with practical prevention methods:

1. Cat Scratch Disease (CSD)

This name obviously relates to cats. Indeed, it is a bacterial infection mainly transmitted through cat scratches or bites. The pathogen is Bartonella henselae, which can spread among cats through cat fleas. Humans become infected through contact with scratches, bite wounds, or saliva from infected cats.

Symptoms: Usually 1-3 weeks after a scratch or bite, red papules or blisters appear near the wound, followed by swollen and painful lymph nodes nearby, feeling like small marbles or larger. Some people may also experience low fever, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite. For people with weakened immune systems, the infection could be more severe, even affecting organs such as eyes, liver, spleen, or brain.

Prevention:
* Avoid being scratched or bitten by cats, especially avoid rough play or interactions that might cause injury.
* Immediately wash wounds with soap and clean water after a cat scratch or bite.
* Do not let cats lick your wounds or broken skin.
* Regularly deworm cats internally and externally, especially controlling fleas, as fleas are important bacterial vectors.
* Keep cats indoors as much as possible to reduce contact with stray cats.
* If immune compromised, consider adopting adult cats over 1 year old, as kittens are more likely carriers of this bacteria.

2. Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite, with felines as its main host. Although many people associate toxoplasmosis with cats, humans are mainly infected by consuming undercooked meat or contact with food and water contaminated by cat feces, not by direct contact with cats. Cats usually become infected by preying on infected rodents or birds.

Symptoms: Most healthy adults have no symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes lasting weeks to months. However, for pregnant women, initial infection during pregnancy can cause fetal infection, which greatly affects fetal development and may lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital defects (such as eye or brain issues)—a serious concern for the "next generation." Immunocompromised people may face severe complications involving eyes, brain, heart, etc.

Prevention:
* Pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals should avoid cleaning litter boxes; if necessary, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterward.
* Clean litter boxes daily, as toxoplasma oocysts need 1-5 days to become infectious; timely cleaning reduces risk.
* Always cook meat thoroughly, especially pork, lamb, and wild game; avoid raw or undercooked foods as the key prevention.
* Wash hands, cutting boards, and utensils thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw meat.
* Wash fruits and vegetables carefully to avoid contaminated food.
* Do not feed cats raw or undercooked meat.
* Keep cats indoors to prevent hunting.
* Cover outdoor sandboxes to prevent stray cats from defecating.

3. Ringworm

Ringworm is not "money" growing on cats, but a fungal skin infection commonly caused by Microsporum canis. It spreads among cats and from cats to humans, especially through contact with infected fur or contaminated items. Imagine a circular "map" on your skin with a clear edge, itchy, possibly peeling or crusting—this is a typical presentation of ringworm in humans, also known as "tinea" or "ringworm."

Symptoms: Infected people usually develop circular or oval red patches with well-defined, slightly raised edges, accompanied by scaling and itching. Commonly affected areas are the face, arms, and legs. Although usually not serious, immunocompromised people may have larger and more severe lesions.

Prevention:
* Avoid direct contact with cats infected with ringworm.
* Wash hands promptly with soap after contact, especially with stray cats.
* Regularly clean cats' living environment, including beds, mats, and toys, and disinfect.
* Vacuum frequently to remove fungal spores from cat hair and dander.
* If a cat has ringworm, isolate it in one room and thoroughly clean and disinfect its area.
* Keep skin clean and dry; avoid humid environments.

4. Campylobacteriosis

This is a bacterial infection caused by Campylobacter, mainly causing diarrhea. Cats may carry this bacterium and spread it through feces. Humans usually become infected through contact with contaminated cat feces or food and water.

Symptoms: Infection may cause diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Most people recover within a week.

Prevention:
* Wash hands thoroughly after cleaning litter boxes or handling cat feces.
* Ensure drinking water and food are hygienic.
* Avoid feeding cats raw meat.

5. Giardiasis

Giardia is a tiny parasite that can infect many animals including cats and humans. It is usually transmitted through contaminated water, food, or feces.

Symptoms: Humans infected may show diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, bloating, and dehydration.

Prevention:
* Wash hands thoroughly after handling cat feces.
* Avoid consuming untreated water.
* Regularly take cats for fecal exams and deworm as vet advises.

6. Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidium is also a parasite transmitted via cat feces to humans. Infection occurs through contact with contaminated cat feces or food and water.

Symptoms: Can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps, and dehydration in humans and cats. Immunocompromised individuals have a higher risk.

Prevention:
* Wash hands thoroughly after handling cat feces.
* Avoid drinking untreated water.
* Regular fecal checks for cats.

7. Roundworms

Cat roundworms are common intestinal parasites, especially in kittens. Roundworm eggs are expelled in cat feces and hatch in soil. Humans may be infected by ingesting contaminated soil, food, or touching contaminated cat fur and then touching mouth or nose. Young children are especially susceptible through soil contact during play.

Symptoms: Most adults are asymptomatic. In children, heavy infection may cause abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Rarely, larvae migrate in the body causing eye larva migrans (possibly leading to blindness) or visceral larva migrans (organ damage).

Prevention:
* Regular deworming of cats, especially kittens, following veterinary advice.
* Prompt cleaning and proper disposal of cat feces.
* Practice good hygiene: wash hands thoroughly before eating, after using the toilet, or after contact with cats.
* Teach children not to eat soil and to wash hands after playing.
* Cover sandboxes to prevent cat defecation.

8. Hookworms

Hookworms are another common intestinal parasite. Eggs are excreted in cat feces and hatch into larvae in warm, moist soil. Humans may be infected through skin contact with contaminated soil, where larvae penetrate the skin and migrate under it, causing itching and red linear skin lesions, known as "cutaneous larva migrans."

Symptoms: Infection mainly presents as itchy, swollen, and winding red rashes where larvae penetrate and migrate.

Prevention:
* Regular deworming of cats.
* Timely cleaning of cat feces.
* Avoid walking barefoot on soil or beaches possibly contaminated with cat feces.
* Wash hands thoroughly after soil contact.

9. Salmonellosis

Salmonella is a common bacterium causing food poisoning. Cats may carry it and spread through feces. Humans usually get infected by eating contaminated food (especially undercooked meat, eggs, dairy, or food contaminated with cat feces) or contact with contaminated cats and environment.

Symptoms: Infection causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, usually lasting 4–7 days.

Prevention:
* Wash hands thoroughly after handling cat feces.
* Ensure food, especially meat and poultry, is cooked thoroughly.
* Avoid feeding cats raw meat.
* Separate raw and cooked foods during prep to avoid cross-contamination.

10. Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease mainly transmitted through bites from infected animals. Cats can carry and transmit the rabies virus. Rabies is fatal but preventable through vaccination.

Symptoms: Early symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, progressing to paralysis, hallucinations, excessive salivation, hydrophobia, and ultimately death.

Prevention:
* Vaccinate cats regularly against rabies, even indoor cats.
* Avoid contact with stray or wild animals.
* If bitten by a cat, immediately wash the bite with soap and plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care for assessment of rabies vaccination or other treatment.

11. Allergies

While not a disease, cat allergies are a significant problem for many cat owners. The allergens are not the cat hair itself, but proteins found in cat skin flakes, saliva, and urine. These allergens stick to cat hair, disperse in the air, and settle on furniture, clothing, etc., persisting even when the cat is not present.

Symptoms: Symptoms vary widely including sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, itchy skin, red rashes (hives), and in severe cases, asthma leading to coughing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and wheezing.

Prevention:
* Minimize contact with cats, avoid hugging and kissing.
* Wash hands promptly after contact.
* Limit cats’ access, especially keep them out of bedrooms.
* Bathe cats regularly (if cat tolerates and without excessive skin irritation).
* Use HEPA air filters to reduce airborne allergens.
* Frequently clean home, especially floors, carpets, and soft furniture, using vacuums with efficient filters.
* Consider removing carpets as they easily accumulate allergens.
* If symptoms are severe, consult a doctor for antihistamines, nasal sprays, or desensitization therapy.

12. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. While human infections are often healthcare-associated, cats may carry MRSA and potentially transmit it to humans via scratches or bites.

Symptoms: MRSA infections in humans usually manifest as skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses or cellulitis, and may cause pneumonia or bloodstream infections if severe.

Prevention:
* Avoid cat scratches or bites.
* Maintain good personal hygiene and handwashing.
* Clean and disinfect wounds promptly if scratched or bitten.
* Seek veterinary care for cats showing skin infections or other illnesses.

13. Streptococcal Infections

Though not unique to cats, some streptococci may inhabit cats’ mouth and nose and transmit to humans by licking or biting, causing infections.

Symptoms: Human infections vary from mild sore throat and skin infections to severe pneumonia or sepsis.

Prevention:
* Avoid letting cats lick your wounds or broken skin.
* Clean and disinfect wounds and seek medical attention if bitten.
* Maintain good personal hygiene.

14. Pasteurella Infection

Pasteurella is a common bacterium living in animals’ mouths and can enter the human body through cat bites or scratches.

Symptoms: Usually within hours after a bite or scratch, redness, swelling, pain, fever, and sometimes abscesses occur at the wound site.

Prevention:
* Avoid cat bites or scratches.
* Clean and disinfect wounds promptly and monitor closely, seeking medical care if infection signs appear.

15. Tapeworm Infection

Cats may carry various types of tapeworms, some of which can be transmitted to humans via fleas. Humans usually get infected by accidentally ingesting fleas harboring tapeworm larvae; this is more common in children.

Symptoms: Human infection is usually asymptomatic; a few people may notice rice grain-sized segments in stool.

Prevention:
* Regular internal deworming of cats.
* Regular external parasite control to eliminate fleas.
* Keep the home environment clean and vacuum regularly to kill fleas.
* Practice good hygiene, especially washing hands before meals.

Balancing health and raising cats: risks controllable, benefits abundant

You may feel nervous reading this and think raising cats carries many risks. Actually, no need to overly worry. Many authoritative institutions state that health risks from pet cats to humans are generally low, especially for healthy adults. The joy, companionship, and emotional support cats provide have clear physical and mental health benefits. Studies even show that owning pets can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides, benefiting cardiovascular health.

The key is "prevention." Understanding risks is to better manage them, not to give up enjoying cats. Just like we pay attention to food safety and traffic safety, raising cats also requires basic health awareness and protective measures.

Health tips for cat owners: make the "cat servant" career worry-free

To ensure you and your "master" stay healthy and secure, try these health tips:

• Regular vet checkups and deworming for cats: This is the most important step to prevent zoonotic diseases. Follow your vet’s advice for exams, vaccinations, and internal and external deworming.
• Pay attention to personal hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with cats, especially after cleaning litter boxes or handling cat feces.
• Prompt treatment of scratches and bites: If scratched or bitten, wash wounds immediately with soap and water and seek medical care as needed.
• Keep the living environment clean: Regularly clean cats’ activity areas, especially litter boxes, keeping them dry and ventilated.
• Control fleas: Fleas cause discomfort to cats and transmit many diseases. Regularly apply flea treatments and keep the home clean to control fleas.
• Avoid feeding raw meat: Avoid feeding cats raw or undercooked meat to reduce risks of toxoplasmosis and bacterial infections.
• Pay extra attention if you are high-risk: Pregnant women, parents of infants, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals should be extra cautious when raising or interacting with cats, and consult healthcare professionals or veterinarians for advice.
• Know your cat’s health status: Monitor your cat’s behavior and health. If you notice abnormalities (diarrhea, vomiting, skin issues, loss of appetite), take the cat to the vet promptly.

In summary, raising cats is a joyful experience. By scientifically understanding and applying preventive measures, we can minimize potential health risks and fully enjoy the warmth and happiness cats bring. Don’t let unnecessary worries affect your bond with your cat. With good knowledge, you can be a confident and responsible cat owner!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will cats definitely transmit diseases to humans? Not necessarily. Transmission risk between healthy cats and healthy adults is low. It depends on multiple factors, including whether the cat carries pathogens, the person’s immune status, and preventive measures taken.
• Can pregnant women raise cats? Pregnant women can have cats but need to take special precautions against toxoplasmosis, mainly avoiding contact with cat feces. If cleaning litter boxes is necessary, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterward. Food hygiene is also crucial.
• Is cat scratch disease serious? For healthy adults with a normal immune system, cat scratch disease is usually self-limited with mild symptoms and often resolves without special treatment. However, it can cause severe complications in immunocompromised people.
• Can ringworm be transmitted from cats to humans? Yes. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be transmitted through contact with infected cats or contaminated objects.
• How do I know if my cat carries these pathogens? Some pathogens cause no symptoms in cats and require veterinary testing to confirm. Regular vet checkups and consultations are good ways to understand your cat’s health status.

References

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine - Zoonotic Disease: What Can I Catch from My Cat?
• VCA Animal Hospitals - Zoonotic Diseases in Cats
• Just Cats Clinic - 5 Diseases You Can Catch from Your Cat
• CDC - Cats | Healthy Pets, Healthy People
• Wikipedia - Toxoplasmosis
• Mayo Clinic - Ringworm (body) - Symptoms & causes
• Oregon Veterinary Medical Association - Zoonotic Diseases & Cats
• What Diseases Can Cats Give to Humans?
• PetMD - Top 10 Ways to Reduce Zoonotic Diseases
• Medical News Today - Cat scratch fever: Causes, symptoms, and complications
• American Veterinary Medical Association - Zoonotic diseases and pets
• CDC - About Bartonella henselae
• Felpreva Australia - Cat parasites: what's the risk to humans?
• Global Allergy and Respiratory Patient Platform - Pet Allergies
• Science and Technology Daily - Cats and dogs can also cause allergic reactions in humans
• WebMD - Cat-Scratch Fever: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment
• Vetwest Veterinary Clinics - Ringworm - signs, diagnosis and treatment
• Healthline - Ringworm: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and More
• CDC - What Causes Ringworm and Fungal Nail Infections
• CDC - Cat Scratch Disease outbreaks more than double previous years; the CDC urges people to avoid cat scratches, licking, or bites to reduce disease risk
• The Paper - Name Story | How to prevent cat scratch disease?
• Zhuhai Net - Are cat interactions likely to cause toxoplasmosis infection? Key prevention for particular groups
• MiaoYou Medical International - Pet Allergies - Diagnosis and Treatment
• Health Channel - Can human ringworm be transmitted from cats?
• Heilongjiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Toxoplasmosis
• Cleveland Clinic - Cat Scratch Fever: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
• WebMD - Ringworm: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & How to Identify
• MSD Manual Consumer Version - Cat-Scratch Disease
• 39Health Net - Can human ringworm transmit between people after infection?
• Zhuhai Net - Itchy skin after cat interactions? Experts warn: beware of infectious "ringworm"
• China Public Health Net - How cat scratch disease transmits? How to prevent?
• Mayo Clinic - Toxoplasmosis - Symptoms and causes
• City CDC - Focus on Toxoplasmosis: From infection to prevention
• International Cat Care - Toxoplasmosis and cats
• Xinnuo - [Cat Scratch Injury] Causes, symptoms and prevention of cat scratch disease
• VEC | Hong Kong 24-Hour Veterinary Clinic - Understanding Feline Toxoplasmosis: Symptoms, Transmission and Prevention
• CDC - Toxoplasmosis: An Important Message for Cat Owners
• SA Health - Toxoplasma infection - including symptoms, treatment and prevention
• Boer Pharmaceuticals - Diagnosis and treatment of pet cat ringworm
• Zhuhai Medical Association - Cat interactions bear risks, beware of infectious ringworm
• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Toxoplasmosis
• Allergy Load
• CDC - Preventing Toxoplasmosis | Parasites