Feline immunodeficiency virus is often misunderstood as a death sentence, but FIV-positive cats can live long, high-quality lives with appropriate management and monitoring.
FIV-positive cats historically faced euthanasia at shelters due to stigma and misunderstanding of transmission risk. Updated guidance recognizes that stable cohabitation with FIV-negative cats poses negligible infection risk when cats are friendly and non-aggressive. The primary welfare concern for FIV-positive cats is managing secondary infections and monitoring immune function to catch health changes early. Dental disease is especially prevalent and causes chronic oral pain if untreated. Owners who provide proactive veterinary care, appropriate nutrition, and a low-stress indoor environment enable FIV-positive cats to achieve quality lives of normal or near-normal duration.