What can a cat catch from a rat? - briefly
Cats can acquire ectoparasites (fleas, mites) and zoonotic pathogens such as Salmonella, Leptospira and hantavirus from a captured rodent. These agents may cause gastrointestinal, renal or respiratory illness in felines.
What can a cat catch from a rat? - in detail
A cat that kills a rodent may be exposed to several hazards.
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Bacterial infections
• Yersinia pestis – the agent of plague, transmitted through bites or ingestion of infected tissue.
• Leptospira spp. – can enter through wounds, leading to kidney and liver damage.
• Salmonella spp. – cause gastrointestinal upset after consumption of contaminated meat.
• Streptobacillus moniliformis – responsible for rat‑bite fever, producing fever, arthritis and rash. -
Viral agents
• Hantavirus – present in rodent saliva and urine; inhalation of aerosols from the carcass may cause hemorrhagic fever.
• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus – can be transmitted through bite wounds, resulting in neurological symptoms. -
Parasitic infestations
• Tapeworms (e.g., Taenia taeniaeformis) – develop from larval cysts in the rat’s organs; adult tapeworms reside in the cat’s intestine.
• Roundworms (Toxocara spp.) – eggs may be ingested with the prey, leading to intestinal infection.
• Fleas and mites – the rodent may carry ectoparasites that transfer to the cat, causing dermatitis and secondary infections. -
Physical trauma
• Puncture wounds from the rat’s incisors can become infected, especially if the animal’s mouth harbors pathogenic bacteria.
• Scratches or claw injuries inflicted during the struggle may introduce the same agents listed above. -
Toxins
• Anticoagulant rodenticides, if present in the rat’s system, can be ingested and cause coagulopathy in the cat.
Each hazard requires specific preventive measures: regular veterinary check‑ups, prompt wound cleaning, appropriate deworming, and avoidance of rodent control chemicals that may accumulate in prey.