Last Updated: 21/01/2026
Caring for a Cat with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): A Vet Guide for Pet Parents
A diagnosis of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) doesn't have to be scary. Discover how to provide the best care for your cat, from indoor safety and nutrition to routine vet checks, ensuring your FIV-positive feline lives a long and happy life.
Author: Dr Jacqui Victor BVSc MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats)
Reading Time: 7 minutes - short read
Discovering your feline friend is FIV-positive can feel overwhelming, but it is certainly not a reason to panic. In Australia, many cats - particularly adventurous roamers or rescued "tough guys" - carry this virus while still enjoying wonderful, high-quality lives. While the name sounds clinical, managing an FIV cat is largely about proactive wellness and a little extra TLC. Think of it as managing a chronic condition rather than a life-limiting one; with the right diet, regular check-ups, and a safe indoor environment, your cat can continue to be the same purring companion they have always been.
What is feline immunodeficiency virus?
FIV is a "lentivirus" (a type of slow-acting virus) that belongs to the same family as human HIV. However, it is strictly species-specific - meaning humans and dogs cannot catch it.
The virus works by slowly attacking and weakening a cat's immune system. In a healthy cat, the immune system is quick to fight off common infectious diseases, like minor skin infections. In an FIV-positive cat, the immune system is weaker and slower to react, making the cat more vulnerable to secondary infections.
Is FIV the same as Feline Aids?
While people often use the terms interchangeably, they are actually different stages:
- FIV-Positive: This means the cat carries the virus. Many cats live in this stage for their entire lives without ever appearing "sick."
- Feline AIDS: This is the advanced, terminal stage of the infection where the immune system is significantly compromised.
Being FIV-positive is not the same thing as having Feline AIDS. If your cat is FIV-positive, this means they have been infected with the virus, but it may be years (if at all) before this progresses and your cat exhibits any clinical signs associated with Feline AIDS.
How is FIV transmitted between cats?
FIV is present in saliva and is most commonly transmitted from an infected cat through cat bite wounds associated with fighting.
Much less commonly, the virus can be spread through mutual grooming, from an infected pregnant queen to her unborn kittens, and through blood transfusions.
Unfortunately, once a cat is infected with FIV, the infection is lifelong.
Most of the clinical signs seen in FIV-infected cats are not actually caused by the virus itself, but are due to secondary infections associated with immunodeficiency.
Stages of FIV infection
Acute Phase (occurs 1-3 months after infection): This occurs after initial infection with FIV.
Latent Phase (lasts months to years): Following the acute phase, cats will enter the latent phase. Many cats will remain in this phase and never progress to exhibit more serious disease.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): This usually occurs years after the initial infection. During this phase, cats become immunocompromised and are susceptible to secondary infections, which may unfortunately be fatal for some cats.
Recognising the signs of FIV
Signs of FIV are related to the stage of the disease.
Acute Phase
Clinical signs during this phase include:
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Enlarged lymph nodes
Latent Phase
- Most cats will be asymptomatic in this stage (have no symptoms).
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Clinical signs include:
- Gingivostomatitis (inflammation of the gums and mouth)
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Neurological disorders (including seizures and behaviour changes)
- Neoplasia (cancer, such as lymphoma)
- Chronic respiratory, ocular and intestinal diseases
Diagnosing FIV in your cat
Diagnosing FIV is performed via a blood test. Most commonly, this is a screening test performed in-clinic which involves your vet taking a blood sample that detects the presence of antibodies to FIV.
Your vet may wish to confirm a positive result (particularly if your cat is in a low-risk area, or if they have previously been vaccinated against FIV) with a confirmatory test using a different method (this usually involves sending blood to an external laboratory).
Kittens born to FIV-positive queens may also test positive up to 6 months of age (even though they may not be infected), as they have received antibodies from their mother. Kittens that test positive to FIV early in life should be retested once they are 6 months old to determine their true FIV status.
Managing an FIV-positive cat at home
Unfortunately there is currently no cure for FIV, although there is a lot of ongoing research investigating possible antiviral therapies. The main aims of managing an FIV-positive feline are to limit their chance of developing any secondary infections and provide supportive care, along with preventing the spread of FIV to other cats.
1. Keep Indoors
- Keeping your FIV-positive cat indoors helps to limit their exposure to infections and also prevents them spreading the virus to other cats. Read through our guide to Keeping Indoor Cats Happy for lots of tips!
- Desexing of all FIV-infected cats is also recommended to reduce the risk of fighting and spreading the infection
2. Routine Health Care
- 6-monthly vet check-ups to ensure your cat is maintained in the best of health
- Keep vaccinations up to date
- Ensure any illness is treated immediately
- Keep parasite prevention up to date to reduce the risk of secondary infections and disease
3. Avoid Raw and Uncooked Foods
- Raw or uncooked meat, eggs and unpasteurised dairy products have a higher risk of containing parasites and bacteria
- Feed a complete and balanced premium diet to ensure your cat is receiving high quality nutrition
4. Multi-Cat Household Management
- Test all other cats in the household for FIV
- Avoid introducing any new felines as this may lead to fighting and transmission of the virus
- Provide adequate resources in multi-cat households to help to reduce stress and inter-cat aggression
- Use Feliway to help decrease stress and conflict between cats. For more information, have a read of our Guide to Using Feliway
- Use separate food and water bowls for your cats due to the presence of the virus in saliva. The risk of transmission of FIV by sharing food and water bowls is very low,but this is an extra precaution
- Regularly disinfect food and water bowls to kill the virus. Luckily, the virus itself does not survive long in the environment and is readily killed with household disinfectants
Preventing the spread of FIV
To ensure your healthy cat remains free of infection, keep them indoors to avoid the risk of fighting with FIV-positive neighbourhood cats.
If you are considering adopting a new cat, make sure they have been FIV tested first before introducing them to your existing cats. It is important that the FIV status of all cats is known to ensure appropriate management.
An FIV vaccine is available and is recommended for at-risk cats such as those with outdoor access and those living with an FIV-infected cat. The initial series involves three FIV vaccines given 2-3 weeks apart, and then an annual booster based on ongoing risk.
FAQs
While an FIV diagnosis marks the start of a new chapter in your pet parenting journey, it is one filled with hope. By staying vigilant with health checks and providing a low-stress, indoor lifestyle, you are giving your cat the best defense against secondary issues. Remember, an FIV-positive status is just one small part of your cat's story - with your care, they can continue to thrive for many years to come.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 21 Jan 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Jacqui Victor BVSc MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats)
Veterinarian, MANZCVS (Feline Medicine)
Dr Jacqui graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2011 and has worked in various small animal practices around Melbourne. Dr Jacqui loves witnessing the human-animal bond, and feels privileged that she is in a profession which allows her to make a difference to so many people and their loved ones. Dr Jacqui has a special interest in Feline Medicine, and attained her Membership Qualification in Feline Medicine with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2022.
