Cats that split their time between indoors and outdoors may face similar disease risks as feral alley cats, despite having access to regular food and veterinary care. In a global analysis of the prevalence and diversity of pathogens in indoor-only, outdoor-owned and feral cats spanning over 170,000 individuals in 88 countries, a research team identified 124 pathogens, 97 of which were zoonotic. Toxoplasma gondii, roundworms, cat-scratch fever and Leptospira are four of the pathogens found in free-roaming pet cats that can negatively impact people’s health. Approximately 62% of pet cats roam freely worldwide, with rates exceeding 90% in some regions. Outdoor access can lead to predation or other contact with wildlife and other free-roaming animals, increasing disease transmission potential. This means that outdoor pet cats are an overlooked risk of wildlife pathogen transmission.
