Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is not a death sentence for cats, and infected cats can live long, high-quality lives with appropriate management and veterinary care.
FIV-positive cats are frequently denied adoption or euthanized based on outdated perceptions of the disease as inevitably fatal. In reality, FIV does not directly cause severe illness in most infected cats; rather, it gradually impairs immune function over years, making affected cats more susceptible to secondary infections. With regular veterinary monitoring, prompt treatment of secondary infections, nutritious diet, and reduction of infection risk through indoor housing, FIV-positive cats can maintain excellent quality of life for many years. Welfare improvements for FIV-positive cats depend on changing shelter and veterinary attitudes toward their prognosis and adoptability.