Our FIV+ cats

FIV is the abbreviation for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

The most important facts about FIV are:

  • FIV is not a life-threatening disease in itself
  • FIV does not 'destroy' the immune system
  • FIV is not 'Cat AIDS'
  • FIV is not contageous1
  • FIV does not necessarily shorten life expectancy.
  • FIV cats do not must be separated
  • FIV can not be transferred to other species (animal or human)

As long as a FIV+ cat does not fight with non-infected cats, they will not become infected. Neutering and spaying, which all SHE cats undergo, significantly reduces the risk of fighting.

A cat cannot transmit FIV by living with other cats in the house, by sharing water bowls, and by cleaning each other.

A well cared for FIV cat does not necessarily have a shorter life expectancy.

The FIV virus weakens a cat's immune system, slowly (over several years), which can make the cat more vulnerable to other feline infections later in life. That's it.

FIV+ cats can live happily in a social household with multiple cats.

FIV does not cause a cat to become ill or die at a young age. FIV+ cats do not have a higher incidence of disease and live just as long as non-FIV+ cats.

Please explore this excellent website (where we got our information from) to read more about FIV.