Some house cats carry a gut parasite that can infect humans, study finds

Reported by Phys.org · October 12 at 4:20 PM · Summary by Pawdeck

A study of stool test records from 157,616 pet cats in 49 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, collected from March 2022 to August 2023, found that 6.3% carried Giardia duodenalis. Of the infected cats, 18.5% carried assemblages A or B, the genetic groups that can also infect humans. Kittens had the highest rate of those strains, at 10.7%.

Background

Giardia spreads through contaminated water, food, surfaces and objects, and can also pass directly between hosts. Most infected animals and people show no symptoms, but some develop diarrhea, digestive problems or weight loss. Veterinarians typically confirm it with a stool test and treat it with prescription medication.

Why it matters

It shows that a cat that looks healthy can still carry a parasite that may be passed to people in the household.

What you can do

Ask your veterinarian whether a stool test is appropriate for your cat, especially if it has diarrhea or weight loss. Wash hands after cleaning the litter box, and keep litter boxes and food areas clean.

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Written by Pawdeck from the report by Phys.org. Background is general information, not advice about your pet; if you are worried, call your vet.