Can Cats Get the Plague?

1 Can Cats Get the Plague? Causes and Symptoms

I. Why are cats less likely to get the plague?

The plague is caused by Yersinia pestis and is a severe infectious disease, a typical natural-focal disease that can affect both humans and animals. Why is it that cats, which are constantly around mice, rarely contract this disease?

1. We all know cats are experts at catching mice and may also eat them. As for why cats that eat mice are not easily infected with the plague, it is because cats naturally have antibodies in their bodies that have a certain effect against the plague, giving them some immunity and effectively preventing invasion by the plague bacteria. This is why cats do not get infected with the plague.

2. But there is another situation that could lead to a cat getting the plague, though the possibility is very low: if a cat is bitten by a mouse carrying the plague, it may become infected. Why is the possibility low? Because healthy cats are generally agile, and cats are experts at catching mice, so it is hard for them to be harmed by mice. The mice in ‘Tom and Jerry’ are very clever and escape every time, but in real life there is no such luck!

3. In addition to not getting the plague from eating mice, cats eating mice also supplements the taurine they need. If a cat lacks this element, the owner can also use supplements to provide it. So there is no need to worry that a cat catching or eating mice will get the plague, and there is no need to deliberately stop this natural instinct!

4. Although the chance of a cat being infected with the plague is very small, cats can easily become an intermediate vector of the plague and a trigger for human infection. In addition, flea and mosquito bites can also lead to human infection with the plague.

In summary, cats eating mice is a natural behavior passed down through generations, which is enough to show that this behavior does not pose a threat to cats! However, everyone should avoid contact with unknown small animals, pay attention to personal hygiene, and avoid infecting themselves with the plague.

That is all on why cats do not get the plague. We hope this sharing has cleared up your doubts. If your cat is especially good at catching mice, we hope the owner will reward it more, because mice really are not likable!