Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that lives naturally within the intestines of all warm-blooded mammals, including humans and cats. While most of the hundreds of E. coli strains are harmless and contribute to healthy digestion, certain strains are pathogenic and can cause illness. The potential for a cat to transmit an illness-causing strain to a person is real, though generally considered a rare event. Understanding the nature of this bacteria in felines and the specific ways transmission occurs helps mitigate risk in a multi-species household.
Understanding E. Coli in Cats
E. coli is a common organism found in a healthy cat’s lower intestinal tract, forming part of the animal’s normal gut flora. The presence of the bacteria alone is not a sign of sickness, and healthy adult cats rarely exhibit signs of disease from their native strains. Problems arise when a cat is exposed to a pathogenic strain or when the bacteria migrate from the intestine to other areas, such as the urinary tract.
Certain factors increase the likelihood of a cat harboring and shedding pathogenic strains. Ingestion of contaminated food, particularly raw or undercooked meat, introduces harmful E. coli strains into the gastrointestinal tract. Cats with compromised immune systems, such as young kittens or older felines, are more susceptible to infections and increased shedding. Even healthy-looking cats may act as asymptomatic carriers, shedding the bacteria in their stool without showing signs of illness.
How Transmission Occurs Between Cats and Humans
Transmission of E. coli from a cat to a person is a zoonotic process that occurs almost exclusively via the fecal-oral route. This means the bacteria must be passed from the cat’s feces to a person’s mouth, often indirectly. High-risk activities center around handling contaminated materials, such as cleaning a litter box where an infected cat has defecated.
Transfer happens when microscopic fecal particles contaminate surfaces or hands. Scooping the litter box or cleaning up feline diarrhea can result in the bacteria transferring to a person’s skin. If that person touches their mouth or handles food before washing their hands, ingestion of pathogenic E. coli can occur. The bacteria can also contaminate the cat’s fur, especially around the anal area, transferring during petting or close contact. Feeding cats raw meat diets is linked to increased risk, as these foods can introduce highly pathogenic strains into the home environment.
Recognizing Symptoms and When to Seek Medical Attention
The health implications of a pathogenic E. coli infection differ between species. In humans, the intestinal infection typically presents with gastrointestinal symptoms. These commonly include watery diarrhea (which may become bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear a few days after exposure, and the illness often resolves within a week for most healthy adults.
While cats can be asymptomatic carriers, their symptoms vary depending on the site of infection when they become ill. Gastrointestinal E. coli infection in cats may cause diarrhea and lethargy. The bacteria are also the most common cause of feline urinary tract infections (UTIs). A person should seek medical attention if diarrhea is persistent, lasts longer than three days, is accompanied by a high fever, or if they notice severe, bloody diarrhea. Cat owners should contact a veterinarian if their cat exhibits severe diarrhea, loss of appetite, straining to urinate, or other signs of distress.
Essential Prevention Strategies
The risk of transmission is mitigated through consistent and rigorous hygiene practices. Rigorous handwashing is the most effective preventative action, especially after handling the cat, cleaning the litter box, or touching contaminated surfaces. Hands should be washed with soap and running water for at least twenty seconds.
It is helpful to wear disposable gloves when scooping litter or cleaning up feline feces to create a physical barrier. Surfaces that may come into contact with the cat or its waste, particularly food preparation areas, should be disinfected regularly. Avoiding raw food diets for cats is also recommended, as these have been implicated in introducing pathogenic bacteria into the household.