Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a chronic retroviral infection that weakens cats' immune systems, but with appropriate management most FIV-positive cats can live long, good-quality lives as indoor companions.
FIV-positive cats have historically faced unnecessary discrimination — being euthanised in shelters or denied adoption based on their diagnosis alone. Modern understanding recognises that most FIV-positive cats live normal lifespans with manageable welfare implications. The primary welfare risk is secondary infection during the final immune-suppressed stage of disease, which can typically be managed with prompt veterinary treatment. Keeping FIV-positive cats indoors protects them from additional infectious exposures and prevents transmission to other cats. Stress reduction through stable, enriched indoor environments supports immune function. The welfare of FIV-positive cats is substantially improved when owners and shelters understand the condition accurately rather than treating diagnosis as a death sentence.