Can Cats Get Parvo? Everything You Need to Know
Imagine your playful cat suddenly becoming tired, refusing food, and looking really sick. The first thought that might race through your mind is, "Is it something serious?" You might have heard about "parvo" before, mainly in dogs. But here’s the question that leaves many cat owners worried: Can cats get parvo, too?
It’s not just a simple yes or no.
The answer takes us into a surprising side of veterinary science, one that's important for every cat owner to know.
Let’s walk through the real story, step-by-step, and find out what’s true, what’s not, and what you need to watch for.
What is Parvo Disease?
When people hear the word "parvo," they usually think of a deadly disease that strikes dogs, and for a good reason.
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious virus that mainly attacks a dog's gut and immune system, causing severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, and dangerous dehydration. It’s especially fatal for puppies between 6 to 20 weeks old if not treated quickly.
(Source: American Veterinary Medical Association)
But here's something many don't realise, Parvo in dogs and parvo in cats are two different things.
While dogs suffer from Canine Parvovirus, cats are threatened by a virus called Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV).
Both viruses are close cousins, sharing a similar structure and deadly impact, but they affect different species.
In fact, scientists believe that the canine version likely evolved from the feline virus decades ago , a mutation that crossed species boundaries in the late 1970s.
So, while the name "parvo" sounds the same, it’s crucial to understand that cats don’t catch the exact parvovirus that affects dogs.
Now that we know this, let’s dive deeper:
Can cats actually get parvo, and how serious is it?
Do Cats Get Parvo?
The short answer? Yes, cats can get parvo, but it’s not the same parvovirus that affects dogs.
In cats, the disease is called Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), often simply referred to as feline parvo. It’s just as serious and contagious, but it’s a different virus, shaped by evolution to target cats specifically.
FPV belongs to the same virus family as Canine Parvovirus (CPV), and interestingly, scientists believe that CPV actually evolved from FPV decades ago.
How does it infect cats?
The virus spreads mainly through contact with contaminated surfaces, food bowls, bedding, or even a human’s shoes or clothing if they’ve been around an infected environment. Cats can also catch it directly from other infected cats, even if the sick cat isn't showing obvious symptoms yet.
The virus attacks a cat’s bone marrow and intestinal lining, leading to a dangerous drop in white blood cells (hence the term "panleukopenia" , meaning "low white cells") and causing severe digestive problems.
While it’s terrifying to think about, the good news is that vaccination can dramatically lower the risk of infection. Modern vaccines are highly effective, and keeping your cat’s vaccinations up to date is one of the best protections available today.
How Does Feline Parvo Spread?
Once you realise that feline parvo (FPV) is real, the next big worry naturally is ,
"How does it spread?"
The truth is, feline parvo is extremely contagious, and it doesn’t take much for a cat to get exposed.
Here’s how the virus moves around:
1. Contaminated Surfaces and Objects
The FPV virus can survive on surfaces like food bowls, bedding, litter boxes, toys, and even your clothes or shoes for months if not properly disinfected. A cat simply brushing against or licking something contaminated is enough to catch the virus.
2. Direct Contact with Infected Animals
Cats can also catch FPV by direct contact with another infected cat. What’s tricky is that even a cat who looks perfectly healthy can still be shedding the virus, putting others at risk without showing signs.
3. Humans Acting as Carriers
While humans can’t get feline parvo themselves, we can unknowingly carry the virus on our hands, shoes, or clothes after touching contaminated surfaces or being near an infected animal. That's why good hygiene matters, especially if you work or volunteer around multiple cats.
4. High-Risk Places: Animal Shelters and Stray Populations
Shelters, rescue centres, and areas with lots of stray cats are hotspots for the virus. Crowded spaces, shared resources, and limited cleaning make it easier for FPV to spread quickly. New cats brought into a home from shelters should always be quarantined and vaccinated to reduce the risk.
Symptoms of Parvo in Cats
If a cat gets infected with Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), the symptoms usually show up fast and they can get serious very quickly.
Here’s what you need to watch for:
1. Vomiting
One of the first signs is frequent vomiting. It may look watery, yellowish, or even contain traces of bile. The vomiting quickly leads to dehydration if not managed.
2. Severe Diarrhoea
Cats with parvo often develop watery or bloody diarrhoea. The diarrhoea, combined with vomiting, strips the body of fluids and nutrients dangerously fast.
3. Extreme Lethargy
An infected cat will seem unusually tired, weak, and uninterested in food, play, or even moving around.
This deep fatigue is one of the clearest early warnings that something is wrong.
4. High Fever (or Sometimes a Sudden Drop in Temperature)
In the early stages, many cats develop a fever. However, in more critical cases, their body temperature may drop dangerously, which is even more serious.
5. Severe Dehydration
Because of the constant vomiting and diarrhoea, dehydration sets in fast. You might notice dry gums, sunken eyes, or skin that doesn’t snap back quickly when gently pinched.
How Dangerous is Parvo for Cats?
Feline parvo isn’t just another common sickness, it’s a life-threatening emergency.
If not treated quickly, the mortality rate for infected cats can be as high as 90%, especially in kittens or unvaccinated cats.
The real danger with Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) is how fast it moves.
Within just a day or two, a seemingly minor upset stomach can turn into severe dehydration, immune collapse, and deadly secondary infections.
Quick diagnosis and immediate treatment are critical.
Without medical care, many cats won’t survive.
But with fast veterinary support, hydration therapy, and good nursing, the survival chances rise dramatically, even though recovery can still be tough.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options (Logical Next Step)
When it comes to diagnosing feline parvo, time is everything.
1. How Vets Diagnose Parvo
- Blood Tests: Vets often check for low white blood cell counts, a common red flag for FPV.
- ELISA Tests: A rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can detect the virus directly from a faecal sample, often giving results within minutes.
2. Treatment: No Direct Cure, Only Supportive Care
There’s no antiviral drug that kills FPV directly.
Instead, treatment focuses on keeping the cat stable while their body fights back.
Here’s what supportive care usually involves:
- IV Fluids to prevent severe dehydration.
- Antibiotics to stop secondary bacterial infections (because the immune system is weakened).
- Nutritional Support to maintain strength during the recovery period.
- Anti-nausea medications to help control vomiting.
3. Hospitalisation: Often Necessary
In most cases, cats with parvo must be hospitalised.
Home care is rarely safe unless the symptoms are extremely mild (and even then, only under a vet’s supervision).
Hospitals provide the intensive care needed to give cats the best possible chance of survival.
Can Indoor Cats Get Parvo?
You might think an indoor cat is fully safe from infectious diseases like parvo.
But sadly, that’s not always true.
Even if your cat never steps outside, feline parvovirus (FPV) can still sneak in, carried on your shoes, clothes, or even by visitors who unknowingly bring the virus from contaminated places.
The virus is extremely tough and can survive for months on everyday surfaces.
It doesn’t take much, a simple walk through a park or petting a stray cat can be enough to pick up the virus and bring it home.
Quick Tips to Help Protect Indoor Cats:
- Always remove your shoes at the door after being outside.
- Wash your hands after touching other animals.
- Avoid sharing clothes between outdoor environments and indoor spaces.
- Keep new rescue cats isolated until they’re fully vaccinated and vet-checked.
Can Humans Get Cat parvovirus?
Here’s some good news:
Humans cannot catch feline parvovirus (FPV).
Parvoviruses are species-specific, meaning the type that infects cats only affects felines. The same goes for dogs and their version of parvovirus.
However, while we can’t get sick from it, we can act as carriers, moving the virus from one place to another.
That’s why good hygiene and careful cleaning are just as important for people as for pets.
How to Protect Your Cat from Parvo
The best defence against parvo?
Vaccination, hands down.
Vaccinating kittens and keeping booster shots up to date is the most powerful way to prevent FPV infections.
Vaccines are safe, highly effective, and have saved millions of cat lives over the years.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Cat:
- Start kitten vaccines early (typically at 6–8 weeks) and complete the full series.
- Schedule booster shots regularly, your vet will guide you based on your cat’s needs.
- Maintain a clean environment, especially for food bowls, litter boxes, and bedding.
- Limit outdoor exposure, and be cautious with new cats entering your home.