6 Things to Know About Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, affects up to 3 percent of cats in the United States, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Like HIV in humans, FIV weakens the immune system over time, causing the kitty to be more vulnerable to all types of infections.

But also like HIV, being diagnosed with FIV is not a “death sentence.” However, it can impact your cat’s health and quality of life, especially if it goes untreated or undetected. If your cat has been diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus, or if you are considering adopting a cat who is FIV-positive, here’s what you need to know.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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