Why You Should Adopt a Cat with FIV
People have plenty of decisions to make when they choose cat adoption. You can pick up a certain breed or a moggie, a cat or a kitten, a girl or a boy, and that's after making the major decision to home a cat in the first place. However, people often turn a blind eye to kitties with FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), usually because they are either unaware of the benefits of adopting one or have been misled by myths concerning the condition.
That's a shame since there are many great reasons to adopt one of these lovable felines. Here are just a couple.
You're Completely Safe
FIV clearly shares traits with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which is enough to worry plenty of potential owners. Wouldn't just a little scratch or bite pass the condition from cat to owner? Luckily, this is not the case. Just as those two names indicate, these are both species-specific viruses. FIV can only infect felines; HIV can only infect humans. No matter what you've read, your cat will not be able to infect you.
You Can Home Them with Other Cats
As mentioned above, there is a chance that an FIV positive cat could infect any other cats living in your household. However, this is unlikely. The only way it can happen is if the FIV-positive cat engages in sexual intercourse with one of your other cats or bites one deeply. As long as you spay or neuter, which you should normally be doing anyway, the first eventuality is impossible and the second is unlikely. Cats may engage in play fighting, but this should never become serious enough to lead to deep biting. All you need to do is separate their eating and drinking bowls.
They Make Ideal Indoor Cats
Many cat owners struggle when deciding whether to let their cats outside. On one hand, cats do enjoy taking a stroll outdoors; on the other, leaving your home can put them in danger of getting involved in a road accident, an altercation with another animal, or other outdoor risk factor.
However, an FIV positive cat must be kept indoors to keep it from coming into contact with those disease-causing agents to which its weakened immune system is vulnerable. This makes them perfect for those who want to have an indoor cat but would normally feel guilty not letting them out.
They Can Live Long, Happy Lives
Finally, and most importantly, FIV is a slow-acting condition. A cat that is kept in a stress-free, indoor setting and sees a vet every six months or so should live for years before the disease reaches its chronic stages. All you really need to do is feed them a proper diet and keep an eye out for certain warning signs. Of course, it can be sad to say goodbye after those years, but you'll at least be able to reflect upon the fact that you gave a home to a needy feline that might not otherwise have found one.
If you're interested in adopting a cat with FIV, just contact your local shelter today to make some enquiries.
Share