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Can a Cat get You Sick?

post #1 of 7
10/10/11 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 
My cat sneezed directly in my face got in my eyes, mouth (yea gross, but I didn't know he was going to sneeze lol). Anyway, I'm feeling kinda sick now, is there anyway a cat can get a person sick?
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post #2 of 7
10/10/11 at 12:47pm
Short answer: Not from him sneezing on you.

Longer answer: Only if you eat his poop.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/broch...icdisease.html
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post #3 of 7
10/10/11 at 1:19pm
Or if he is rabbid and bites you.

If you get sick after your cat sneezes on you, then you were likely coming down with a cold beforehand. Fun coincidence.

A cat can catch strep from a human, though...or so I have heard.
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post #4 of 7
10/10/11 at 2:29pm
Carly suffers from seasonal allergies. She will get all weepy and sneezing the week before I get that way. I always accuse her of making me sick. She rewards me by sneezing on me.
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post #5 of 7
10/10/11 at 3:54pm
If its viral, very unlikely. Bacterial is more likely though, but not if its the common cold as that one won't transmit. That's why even somewhat light kitty bites or scratches that penetrate even just a couple layers of the skin can become quite inflamed, and one shouldn't share food (at least not on the same plate) and wipe down surfaces that kitty walks on. Saw someone sharing a lick of icecream for example, and then continued to eat it themselves... yuck!
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post #6 of 7
10/11/11 at 12:59pm
There is nothing that would cause a cat to sneeze that could possibly be transferred to us. My cats walk all over my furniture, counters and tables, lick my lips, nose and eyes, and sleep on my pillow with their whiskery little faces only inches from mine; they've not yet made me ill, nor do I anticipate they ever will.

Feces of any animal is loaded with bacteria but as long as you practice common sense sanitation measures (no eating poop!), there're no worries there either.

I don't typically share food with my cats (I like mine cooked!), but there was one memorable instance when I did share, sort-of. I had indulged in Chinese take-out for dinner and Ralph thought he'd be slick and snagged a chicken teriyaki stick right out of the bag... I snatched it right back (I think he actually froze for a second in astonishment that his theft attempt had succeeded) and ate it without a second thought.

AC
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post #7 of 7
10/11/11 at 5:11pm
I've heard not, but have a personal story that differs.. A couple of years ago, I was lying on my back, and Lilly was sitting on my chest. I opened my mouth to let out a big YAWN, and right as I did so, she sneezed - - - right.in.my.open. mouth. GROSS!! 2 days later, I was sick with the worst cold/flu/whatever it was, but I was really sick (congestion, head) for at least a week or more. blecht.
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