Can Cats Get Salmonella? - Food Poisoning in Cats

In simple terms, salmonellosis is food poisoning caused by bacteria in the Salmonella genus. There are two main species of Salmonella, the Salmonella enterica and the Salmonella bongori bacteria. These species are divided into at least 6 subspecies, but there many other variations even within these sub-species. These bacteria are present in food which is ingested, passing through the digestive system and affecting the intestinal tract of the host. The result is gastrointestinal issues which can be very troubling for the cat.

While salmonella poisoning in cats is relatively rare, its detection is very important. Not only can it make the cat very sick, causing much disturbance, it has zoonotic potential. This means, it is possible for the bacteria to spread from animal human. The most likely cause of this transfer would be from the animal's saliva.

The main vectors for salmonella (i.e. the food which most often contains the bacteria) are poultry, cattle and pork foodstuffs. It is not only the meat which can cause infection, but milk and eggs also lead to transmission. It is also possible for the bacteria to be transmitted through water, meaning it is possible for almost anything with water in it to become a vector. Some think it is impossible to get salmonellosis from fruit and vegetables, but this is not true.

Salmonella poisoning can be facilitated by direct ingestion of infected food, but contact with raw food sitting out on the counter or contaminated surfaces are enough to spread the bacteria. If a cat licks an area which has not been cleaned properly, it is possible for transmission to take place. Even processed and cooked foods can pass on the bacteria if they are not properly preserved, have been exposed to unsanitary conditions or have parasites in them.

The different Salmonella bacterium is resistant to the stomach's pH level, bile salts and peristalsis (the movement of the digestive system). The bacteria colonize the small intestine and invade the mesenteric lymph nodes which lie close to the wall of the small intestine. The intracellular defenses of our immune system are incapable of destroying it. This means it can travel into the bloodstream to produce a systemic infection and becoming localized in the liver, spleen and other organs.

It is important to point out that there are other diseases and conditions in cats which can lead to similar symptoms to salmonella poisoning. Such diseases include metabolic disorders, nutritional deficiencies, neoplasms or a variety of the many infections from which cats can suffer. This is why is is so imperative to take the cat to a specialist. They will be able to provide the right tests for diagnosis and implement a treatment plan.

For a positive diagnosis of salmonella poisoning, the vet will likely perform a physical examination and ask for a thorough anamnesis (a clinical history of the cat's health). After this, however, they will need to confirm the presence of the salmonella bacteria. This is done through the molecular biology tests which include a fecal cytology, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or even blood cultures. The latter of these tests will be to check for low platelet levels, the presence of anemia, electrolyte imbalance and to rule out the presence of another disease which might be causing the symptoms.

Treatment of salmonella poisoning in cats will depend on the severity of the infection. Once the bacteria begins its symptoms, the cat will become depleted in electrolytes and become dehydrated. The cat will likely be given fluid therapy, perhaps bolstered by electrolytes to help replenish them. This may be done in the veterinary clinic, but it is unlikely they will be held for observation unless they are in a seriously weakened state or have some concurrent health issue. Sepsis is one such complication, but it is fortunately not common. Animicrobials may also be given.

Antibiotics may be given to the cat to kill the bacteria, but only in rare cases. Mostly the vet will recommend keeping the cat off food for 24 to 48 hours depending on the severity of the case. Since the disease is zoonotic, the cat will need to be kept away from any vulnerable persons (e.g. children) and anything they have been around needs to be carefully cleaned.

Preventing salmonella poisoning involves being careful with what the cat ingests. Generally, cats will be quite discerning with what they eat. Unfortunately, salmonella bacteria can not always be detected by smell. It can also be present in liquid which might be ingested along with food which is otherwise OK. Being very careful with the food we provide for our cat is the most important factor in preventing salmonellosis in cats.

Commercially prepared cat food should be produced to a decent standard, but we should always be aware of any outbreak news. More likely, a cat will ingest salmonella bacteria due to eating non-commercial cat food. This could be from food we have left over, thinking it will be palatable for the cat. However, we should not give them any food which has any risk of contamination.

A 2017 report from the BMC Veterinary Research journal reiterates how important it is if we are feeding out cat a raw food diet^[1]. The report discusses suspected cases of salmonella poisoning from defrosted chicken. Raw food (or BARF) diets have become more popular recently. It is possible a cat can thrive off this diet, if they are combined with the correct supplements. However, their preparation requires a lot of careful research and the above report claims veterinarian need to be careful when treating animals on this type of diet.

Lastly, preparing our own food needs to be done so carefully, for both the cat's and our own safety. Check our food before we cook it and throw away leftovers in appropriate places where the cat does not have access. Wash any surface or utensils carefully which have been used to prepare raw meat. Don't give treats to your cat unless you are 100% sure they are safe to eat. This will help to avoid salmonellosis as well as other types of food poisoning in cats.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Can Cats Get Salmonella? - Food Poisoning in Cats, we recommend you visit our Bacterial diseases category.