Understanding feline immunodeficiency virus, its welfare implications, and how FIV-positive cats can live long, healthy, high-quality lives with appropriate care.
FIV carries a welfare burden beyond the disease itself — widespread misunderstanding leads to unnecessary euthanasia of cats that could live full, comfortable lives with appropriate management. FIV-positive cats do not inevitably deteriorate rapidly; many live years or decades without significant immune compromise. The welfare priority is accurate diagnosis, appropriate management, and owner education. Indoor housing reduces infection risk to other cats and exposure to opportunistic pathogens. Regular veterinary monitoring enables early detection of secondary infections. The largest welfare improvement available for FIV-positive cats is changing the culture of automatic euthanasia on positive diagnosis.