Humans aren’t the only ones at risk for contracting the flu this season: our furry friends can fall ill from the disease as well. In fact, flu infections in cats and dogs may be much more common than thought, experts say. And
pets can catch the flu from their owners
, research finds.
Can you spread the flu to animals?
Influenza viruses affect several different animals, such as; horses, cats, dogs, birds, swine, and people.
It is contagious and spreads rapidly among susceptible animals
. Many influenza A viruses infect poultry. Clinical signs are mainly in chickens and turkeys.
Can cats get a flu from people?
Can Cats Get The Flu From Humans? Cat flu is not actually caused by an influenza virus, unlike the flu that humans get.
Humans cannot catch cat flu
, and cats cannot catch human colds or influenza viruses.
Can dogs and cats catch human flu?
And while there is no indication the dog flu can cause human illness,
dogs, as well as cats, can contract the human flu virus
. Pet owners should distance themselves from their pets when sick, Glaser recommended.
Can cats get the flu from humans 2020?
While
cats have been reported to occasionally be infected from people with human seasonal influenza viruses
, infection with avian influenza such as from infected poultry is known but is not common.
Can cats get the flu from humans 2021?
Yes, your cat can catch your cold or flu—but it’s rare
.
For instance, there have been multiple documented cases of humans transmitting H1N1 (aka the swine flu) to their pets, including cats. Signs of the illness in cats are similar to flu symptoms in humans: Respiratory disease. Lethargy.
Can you catch a virus from your cat?
Although cats are great companions, cat owners should be aware that
sometimes cats can carry harmful germs that can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses
.
Can you get a virus from a cat?
The answer is yes.
There are actually a number of diseases you can contract catch from your cat, known broadly as zoonotic diseases
. The word “zoonotic” is used to describe any disease that is transmittable from animals to humans. The best known and most feared example of a zoonotic disease is rabies.
Can cats get sick with Covid?
Pets can get serious illness from infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, but this is extremely rare
.
Can I infect my cat with flu?
Cats can be infected with influenza viruses, including avian influenza viruses
, and can spread influenza viruses to each other (cat-to-cat).
Can a dog make a cat sick?
The answer to both of those questions is yes. For example, did you know
cats can get dog flu
? The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine recently reported that both species can become ill from a newly identified strain of canine influenza virus, H3N2.
Can I get sick from my cat sneezing on me?
Cats also can get a herpes virus that can cause upper respiratory problems, including sneezing
. This virus can be spread to people by contact with the discharge, and can cause some irritation. If you follow proper cleanliness after handling your sneezing cats, your risk for exposure is minimal.
What diseases can be spread from cats to humans?
- Campylobacteriosis.
- Cat scratch disease.
- Cat tapeworm.
- Cryptosporidiosis.
- Giardiasis.
- Hookworm.
- Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (MRSA)
- Rabies.
Can I catch my cats cold?
Feline Upper Respiratory Infections are not contagious for humans, but are easily transmittable between cats
. Cat colds can be viral or bacterial and are commonly passed between cats through the droplets spread by sneezing.
Is cat flu fatal?
Cat flu is a virus that, much like human flu, can leave them with a fever and runny nose and eyes. Cat flu is not usually serious in healthy cats. But
it can be serious, and even fatal, in kittens and adult cats with underlying illnesses
, so it’s important to get your pet to the vet.
Can cats spread respiratory infections to humans?
Most of the infectious diseases that cause upper respiratory infections in cats are very species-specific and
do not represent any risk to people
.
