Cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) can live long, good-quality lives with appropriate management — welfare-centered care focuses on quality of life rather than the diagnosis.
FIV diagnosis in cats often leads to unnecessary anxiety about prognosis and, in some cases, inappropriate decisions about euthanasia. The evidence is clear that many FIV-positive cats live normal or near-normal lifespans with good quality of life. The welfare-centered approach treats FIV as a chronic manageable condition rather than a death sentence. Key welfare priorities include indoor management to prevent transmission to other cats and exposure to infectious agents that could cause disease in an immunocompromised cat, prompt veterinary attention for any signs of illness, regular health monitoring, and a good-quality diet to support immune function. FIV-positive cats are particularly vulnerable in multi-cat shelters and benefit from single-cat or FIV-only housing arrangements.