Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Welfare and FIP Prevention Husbandry

FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) develops from mutant feline coronavirus. Husbandry practices that reduce coronavirus exposure and stress reduce FIP development risk.

Key Facts

FIP develops when feline coronavirus mutates to a more virulent form in the host
Stress including weaning, rehoming, and high-density housing increases FIP risk
Litter tray hygiene reduces faecal-oral coronavirus transmission in multi-cat environments
Minimising overcrowding and stress in breeding and rescue facilities reduces FIP incidence
Antiviral treatments now cure most FIP cases but prevention remains important

Welfare Considerations

FIP prevention through stress reduction and hygiene management reduces a disease that causes significant welfare harm. In the antiviral era, prevention reduces the welfare burden of both the disease and its treatment.

What You Can Do

Minimise stress in rehoming environments to reduce FIP risk in new cats
Maintain rigorous litter tray hygiene in multi-cat households
Seek antiviral treatment promptly if FIP is diagnosed
Support research into FIP prevention and vaccine development