Rabies is a virus that has plagued animals for centuries, and while it’s rare in domestic cats, it remains a serious threat. While rabies used to be more common among humans, today it’s still a significant concern for outdoor cats. Thankfully, rabies is preventable through vaccination, and keeping your cat safe involves simple measures that can make all the difference.

Let’s dive into how rabies affects cats, how to prevent it, and what to do if your cat is bitten.

How Does Rabies Affect Cats?

Rabies is a dangerous virus that primarily affects the central nervous system. Symptoms may take weeks or even months to appear in some cats, making early detection difficult. Once symptoms emerge, however, rabies is almost always fatal. Common signs of rabies in cats include:

• Behavioural changes: Your normally affectionate cat may become aggressive, frightened, or show signs of confusion.
• Physical symptoms: Cats may experience paralysis, seizures, or appear disoriented.
• Excessive drooling or difficulty swallowing: The virus can affect throat muscles, causing drooling and trouble swallowing.

Unfortunately, the only way to confirm rabies in a cat is through a post-mortem exam. This is why it’s essential to take preventative measures to protect your cat.

Cat Rabies: A Preventable Disease

Luckily, rabies is easy to prevent with the rabies vaccine, which is widely available and effective. In many regions, it is required by law to vaccinate cats against rabies, and for good reason. Here’s why:

• Prevention after a bite: If your cat is bitten by a potentially infected animal, vaccination helps prevent the virus from taking hold.
• Protection for humans: Vaccinated cats reduce the risk to their human family members, since rabies can be transmitted through bites or saliva.
• Compliance with local rules: In certain places, if a cat bites someone and hasn’t been vaccinated, regulations may require euthanasia. Vaccination helps avoid this scenario.

In addition to vaccination, experts recommend keeping cats indoors—even vaccinated ones—to minimise exposure to wild animals, which are the primary carriers of rabies.

What To Do if Your Cat Gets Bitten

If your cat is bitten by a wild animal, don’t panic, but act quickly. Follow these steps:

1. Protect yourself: Wear gloves when handling your cat to avoid contact with saliva, which can contain the rabies virus.
2. See your vet immediately: Your veterinarian will assess the bite, clean the wound, and evaluate infection risk.
3. Rabies booster: Even if vaccinations are up to date, a booster may be given as a precaution.

Important: Even vaccinated cats must follow veterinary protocols after a bite. Rare vaccine breakthroughs can occur, especially with deep bites or when the biting animal shows signs of disease.

Can Humans Get Rabies from Cats?

Yes. Rabies is a zoonotic disease that can pass from animals to humans. Seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten by any animal—domestic or wild. Post-exposure prophylaxis typically involves a series of vaccinations over about two weeks to prevent the virus from becoming active.

For safety, avoid approaching wild animals, particularly those that appear sick or disoriented. If you encounter one, contact local animal control to handle the situation safely.

Tips for Keeping Your Cat Safe from Rabies

• Get your cat vaccinated: Vaccination is the most effective protection. Discuss the optimal schedule with your vet.
• Keep your cat indoors: Indoor cats are far less likely to encounter rabid wildlife.
• Monitor health: Maintain routine vet visits and address injuries immediately.
• Avoid wildlife: If wild animals are nearby, keep your cat inside and contact animal control.
  
  

Conclusion: Protecting Your Cat from Rabies

Rabies is a serious concern, but it is easily preventable with the right steps. Make sure your cat is vaccinated, keep them indoors as much as possible, and act quickly if they are bitten by another animal. By following these precautions, you can help your cat avoid rabies and support a long, healthy life by your side.

Tip for Pet Owners: Use a reliable, low-dust litter like Pacha Litter to keep your cat’s environment clean and comfortable while reducing the risk of respiratory irritation.