Can Cats Get Sick From Humans?

Most cat owners know that some illnesses can spread from animals to humans, but many people are surprised to learn that the reverse can also happen. In some cases, cats can catch certain infections from people, including the flu and COVID-19, although this type of transmission is relatively uncommon. In this article, we answer the question “Can cats get sick from humans?” and explain how illnesses may spread from people to cats, the symptoms to watch for, prevention tips, and when it may be time to contact a veterinarian.

Can Humans Get Cats Sick?

Yes, according to a report published by the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida, humans can sometimes pass illnesses to their pets. This type of transmission, known as reverse zoonosis, may be more common than experts once believed.

Certain infections, including the flu and COVID-19, can occasionally spread from people to cats through close contact, especially when a pet owner is actively sick. However, these cases are still considered relatively uncommon and usually happen only under specific circumstances.

The good news is that most human illnesses are species-specific, meaning they are adapted to infect humans and do not easily spread to cats. Still, because some viruses and bacteria can sometimes cross between species, cat owners should be aware of the potential risks, watch for symptoms, and take simple precautions when they are sick.

What Is Reverse Zoonosis?

Reverse zoonosis happens when a disease spreads from humans to animals instead of the other way around. Although it is relatively uncommon, cats can sometimes catch certain viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites from people they live closely with.

Understanding the risk of cat sickness from human transmission can help pet owners better protect their cats. In most cases, the risk depends on the type of germ involved and how closely the cat is exposed to the infected person. Frequent close contact, shared living spaces, and a weakened immune system in the cat may increase the likelihood of transmission.

How Rare Is Human-to-Cat Disease Transmission?

Reverse zoonosis is considered relatively uncommon, although researchers are still studying how frequently it occurs. Most human viruses are species-specific, which means they are adapted to infect humans and usually do not spread easily to cats or other animals.

There have been a few rare exceptions involving other species. For example, a chimpanzee at Lincoln Park Zoo reportedly developed a respiratory infection linked to human metapneumovirus and later died. However, cases like this are unusual. In cats, the overall risk of catching illnesses from humans remains low, especially when it comes to common everyday infections.

What Diseases Can Humans Spread to Cats?

Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections are among the most commonly discussed examples of reverse zoonosis. In some situations, cats that are exposed to sick people may develop mild upper respiratory symptoms, particularly after prolonged close contact. Depending on the illness involved, symptoms may include:

• Sneezing

• Coughing

• Nasal discharge

• Lethargy

• Reduced appetite

Can My Cat Catch My Cold?

In most cases, the viruses responsible for the common cold in humans do not infect cats. These viruses are typically species-specific, meaning they are adapted to humans and do not spread easily to feline hosts. However, cats can still develop symptoms that resemble a human cold, including sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, and congestion. In most cases, these symptoms are caused by feline viruses or bacterial infections rather than the human cold virus itself.

Flu and COVID-19 Risks in Cats

For those asking, “Can a human get cat ill?”, influenza and COVID-19 are among the most well-documented illnesses that may occasionally spread from people to cats. According to the information, published by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (СDC), this type of transmission is still considered uncommon and usually occurs after close contact with an infected person, particularly in indoor households.

Cats infected with these viruses may develop symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, fever, lethargy, or a decreased appetite. Some cats may also show mild breathing difficulties. Fortunately, most reported cases have been mild, and many cats recover with rest, hydration, and supportive veterinary care.

Bacterial and Fungal Infections

According to the data, provided by CDC, certain bacteria and fungi can occasionally spread from humans to cats through close contact, shared bedding, poor hygiene, or contaminated surfaces. Bacterial infections such as Staphylococcus and fungal infections like ringworm may affect a cat’s skin, while other pathogens can sometimes impact the respiratory or digestive system.

Cats with weakened immune systems, chronic health conditions, or advanced age may be more susceptible to these infections than healthy adult cats.

MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

MRSA is a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can occasionally spread between humans and pets through close physical contact. Some cats may carry MRSA without showing noticeable symptoms, while others can develop skin infections, slow-healing wounds, abscesses, or respiratory problems.

Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)

Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection despite its name, it is not caused by a worm. In cats, it commonly leads to:

• Circular hair loss

• Scaly skin

• Crusty patches

• Itching

• Broken hairs

The fungus can spread through direct contact with infected people or animals, as well as contaminated items such as bedding, brushes, furniture, and clothing.

Bordetella bronchiseptica Infection

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract. In cats, symptoms may include sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, fever, noisy breathing, or eye irritation, particularly in kittens, senior cats, or stressed cats. This bacterium is more commonly transmitted between animals, and human-to-cat transmission is considered extremely rare.

Digestive and Parasitic Illnesses

Digestive and parasitic infections spreading from humans to cats are considered less common than respiratory illnesses. However, poor hygiene, contaminated surfaces, shared feeding areas, or accidental exposure to infected fecal material may occasionally increase the risk of transmission.

Depending on the type of organism involved, affected cats may develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, or a reduced appetite.

Giardia Infection

Giardia is an intestinal parasite that can occasionally spread between humans and cats through contaminated water, surfaces, or poor hygiene practices. Infected cats may develop diarrhea, gas, vomiting, stomach upset, or weight loss. Proper sanitation and regular handwashing are important for reducing the risk of transmission. 

Salmonella Infection

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that may sometimes spread indirectly from humans and make a cat sick through contaminated food, surfaces, or poor hygiene. In cats, Salmonella commonly affects the digestive system and may cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, lethargy, and appetite loss. The risk of exposure may be higher in households that handle raw meat or feed raw diets without following proper food safety precautions. 

What Symptoms Can Sick Cats Show?

Mild Symptoms

Cats exposed to certain human illnesses may develop mild symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, lethargy, mild coughing, or a decreased appetite. Some cats may show only subtle changes in behavior, while others may not appear visibly sick despite exposure. Even mild symptoms should be monitored carefully, especially if they continue for more than a day or gradually become worse.

When Respiratory Symptoms Become Serious

Breathing problems in cats should always be considered a medical emergency. If your cat’s symptoms worsen or breathing appears strained or labored, contact a veterinarian promptly instead of waiting for the condition to improve on its own.

How to Prevent Your Cat From Getting Sick

What to Do If You Are Sick

If you are dealing with a contagious illness, it is best to reduce very close contact with your cat until you feel better. Wash your hands before handling your pet, food bowls, toys, or litter boxes, and avoid face-to-face contact such as kissing your cat or exposing them to coughs and sneezes. It is also recommended to avoid sharing beds or sleeping areas with your cat while you are actively sick.

Preventive Care and Healthy Habits

Regular veterinary checkups, vaccinations, balanced nutrition, and parasite prevention all help support a healthy immune system and reduce the risk of infections. Keeping your home clean, washing bedding frequently, and practicing good hygiene can also help limit exposure to harmful germs. Cats also tend to stay healthier when stress levels are low. Providing a calm environment, consistent routines, regular playtime, and mental enrichment can support their overall health and well-being.

Vaccinations and Routine Vet Visits

Vaccinations play an important role in protecting cats from many common feline diseases and supporting overall immune health. Regular veterinary visits, preventive screenings, parasite prevention, and ongoing health monitoring can also help identify potential problems early and lower the risk of infections.

Indoor Living and Reduced Exposure

Keeping cats indoors may help reduce exposure to infectious diseases by limiting contact with wildlife, stray animals, and contaminated outdoor environments. However, indoor cats can still become ill in certain situations, especially through close contact with infected household members or contaminated objects.

Safe Feeding and Hygiene Practices

Safe food handling is important for reducing exposure to bacteria and parasites. Store pet food properly, keep feeding areas clean, and regularly wash food and water bowls. Cleaning litter boxes frequently and disinfecting commonly used surfaces can also help limit the spread of germs.

Key Takeaways

The answer to the question, “Can cats get sick from humans?” is yes, although this type of transmission is considered relatively rare. Some of the better-documented examples include respiratory infections such as the flu and COVID-19, but most affected cats tend to develop only mild symptoms and recover well with supportive care. Practicing good hygiene, limiting close contact while sick, maintaining regular veterinary care, and keeping your cat’s environment clean can all help reduce the risk of transmission. Most importantly, watch for unusual symptoms and contact a veterinarian if your cat’s condition becomes severe, persistent, or concerning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible for cats to catch colds from their owners?

Usually not. There are very few human cat viruses, and the viruses that cause the common cold in people rarely infect cats.

Can a cat get the flu from its owner?

Yes. In some cases, cats may catch certain flu viruses from infected owners, particularly after prolonged close contact.

Can a cat catch a stomach virus from people?

This is considered uncommon, although some digestive infections and parasites may occasionally spread from humans to cats under certain conditions.

Reference List

1. https://epi.ufl.edu/2024/01/11/yes-humans-can-get-their-pets-sick-reverse-zoonoses-more-common-than-once-thought/

2. https://virology.ws/2009/04/08/reverse-zoonoses-human-viruses-that-infect-other-animals/

3. https://www.vravet.com/site/blog/2024/07/30/can-cats-get-cold

4. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/animals/pets.html

5. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/about/one-health.html

6. https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/study/understanding-mrsa-transmission-between-humans-and-pets

7. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Ringworm.aspx

8. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/giardia-in-cats

9. https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/salmonellosis-in-cats