Companion Animals

Cat FIP Prevention and Husbandry

Feline infectious peritonitis arises from coronavirus mutation in individual cats, and husbandry practices that reduce stress and coronavirus exposure reduce FIP risk.

Key Facts

FIP arises when feline coronavirus mutates within an individual cat to a systemic form
Feline coronavirus is ubiquitous in multi-cat environments and cannot be reliably eliminated
Stress is believed to facilitate coronavirus replication and mutation to FIP
Young cats under 2 years and immunocompromised cats are most susceptible
Minimising stress, avoiding overcrowding and maintaining individual hygiene reduce FIP risk in catteries

Welfare Considerations

FIP prevention through husbandry focuses on reducing factors that promote coronavirus replication and mutation. Stress reduction and appropriate cat density management reduce individual risk.

What You Can Do

Minimise stress for cats in multi-cat environments through environmental management
Avoid unnecessary movement of cats between households to reduce coronavirus exposure
Vaccinate cats against other infectious diseases to reduce immunocompromise that may facilitate FIP