Companion Animals

Cat Feline Coronavirus and FIP Risk

Feline enteric coronavirus is widespread, with a small proportion of infections mutating to cause the fatal FIP, requiring vigilance in multi-cat environments.

Key Facts

Feline coronavirus infection is common and usually causes mild enteric disease or no signs
Mutation to virulent FIP strain occurs in around 5-10% of infected cats
Multi-cat environments including catteries and shelters have higher FCoV prevalence
Wet FIP (effusive) and dry FIP (non-effusive) have different clinical presentations
Genetic factors in both virus and cat influence which individuals develop FIP after infection

Welfare Considerations

FCoV infection in multi-cat environments creates ongoing FIP risk for individual cats. While most infected cats remain healthy, the minority that develop FIP face a devastating disease. Reducing FCoV transmission through hygiene, litter management, and appropriate group sizes in multi-cat households reduces the risk of FIP development.

What You Can Do

Provide separate litter trays in multi-cat households to reduce FCoV transmission
Test new cats for FCoV exposure before introducing them to FCoV-negative households
Seek prompt veterinary assessment if any cat in a multi-cat home develops FIP signs