Do housecats carry diseases?

Question

What could be on a surface that cats get on such as a kitchen counter?

Answer 1

Although it may appear unhygienec, there really isn't nothing much to worry about, as most of the diseases they carry are species specific and won't be casually transimitted to humans.
Now, a cat bite is an entirely different story, and will often cause severe infection from mainly Pasturella bacteria (leading possibly to septicemia). My cats have always jumped on counters, furniture etc. and slept in my bed and I have never become ill.

Answer 2

you can contract these from cats:
Rabies
Cat Scratch Fever (Bartonellosis) Cat Scratch Fever is believed to be caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. The bacteria is in the cat's blood, but not in all cats. It is believed cats get infected from fleas carrying the bacteria, and possibly ticks. The theory as to how it gets on the claws of cats is the bacteria gets into the cats' saliva, which then gets onto their claws when they groom. Kittens are most commonly associated with it.
Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis is another exaggerated disease with lots of misinformation being spread around- even by ob-gyns. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite toxoplasma gondii. It gets into cats if they have eaten infected birds or rodents. Not all birds and rodents are infected. Not all cats eat birds and rodents. Therefore, not all cats carry the toxoplasmosis parasite. If a cat did eat an infected bird or rodent, the parasite then reproduces in the cat's intestines, and it's "eggs", called oocysts, are excreted in the cat's feces. The only way possible to get toxoplasmosis from a cat is if you ingest infected cat feces. People don't normally do that intentionally, but people scooping litter boxes sometimes wind up with some fecal matter on their hands, then put their fingers in their mouths or eat food with their hands, without having washed their hands before doing those things.
Ringworm (Dermatophytoses)

Most diseases are contracted through fleas and fecal matter. If you are concerned with something being on a surface, you're best bet is to wash the area with a diluted solution of a surface antibacterial or sanatizer. You may want to consult with your vet to make sure what you use won't make your pet sick.

Good luck!

Answer 3

INDOOR cats do not carry or spread disease..
cats who go out might contact something.. fleas, worms or a parasite known as Toxioplasmosis (which they get from mice), rabies...etc

I would far rather be in contact with a natural contaminant on my kitchen counters than in contact with one of the chemical sprays or disinfectants some people use

Answer 4

Are you asking this because you are thinking that just because you want your cat to be indoors, it can not contract a feline disease? If so, you are wrong. Your cat should still be vaccinated, even if strictly indoors.

As far as contracting a disease from your kitchen counter - not even feasible.

Answer 5

Most cat guardians do not like their cats to get up on kitchen benches and dining room tables becuase cats go into litter box scratch away and do not wash their paws with sopa and water right after unless you do it for them. The amount of bacteria that they can track around will be the same amount of bacteria you yourself will track around if you didn't clean your house nor wash your hands and feet.

In general, cats are very clean animals. They groom themselves. They do not track diseases around with them unless you expose them to something.

Answer 6

no. you can always have a vet test them out.. if you keep them indoors all the time, you have nothing to worry about.

Answer 7

most likely