How cats with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus can live long, comfortable lives with proper care and what owners need to know about FIV management.
FIV-positive cats are among the most frequently overlooked animals in shelters, where they are often euthanised despite being capable of long, healthy lives. The welfare of these cats is directly affected by misconceptions about the disease — that they are inevitably suffering, that they pose a risk to other cats in the household, or that adopting them is pointless. In reality, with good nutrition, regular veterinary monitoring, and prompt treatment of infections, FIV-positive cats can thrive for many years. Changing the way shelters, vets, and potential adopters think about FIV is a high-impact welfare intervention.