Toxoplasmosis in cats is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which most healthy cats clear without symptoms. However, immunocompromised cats — especially those on immunosuppressants or FIV/FeLV-positive — can develop severe disease. Infected cats also pose a low but real zoonotic risk to pregnant women and immunocompromised people.
Last reviewed: June 2026
How Do Cats Get Toxoplasmosis?
Cats acquire Toxoplasma gondii primarily by eating infected prey (rodents, birds) or raw meat. Cats are the only definitive host — meaning they are the only animal in which the parasite sexually reproduces and sheds environmentally contagious oocysts in feces. A cat sheds oocysts for only 1–3 weeks after initial infection, typically without any symptoms, and then becomes immune to re-shedding.
Most cats exposed as adults mount an effective immune response and remain subclinically infected. Clinical disease mainly occurs in kittens, immunosuppressed cats (FIV-positive, FeLV-positive, or on cyclosporine/corticosteroids), or cats with very high-dose exposure. As described in Greene's Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat, disseminated toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent adult cats is uncommon.
Signs of Clinical Toxoplasmosis in Cats
When disease does occur, it can affect multiple organ systems depending on where the tachyzoites (active parasites) disseminate:
Respiratory signs (pulmonary toxoplasmosis):
- Labored or rapid breathing
- Open-mouth breathing
- Coughing (uncommon in cats, but possible)
Neurological signs:
- Seizures
- Ataxia (wobbling, falling)
- Head tilt or circling
- Behavioral changes, depression
Ocular signs (uveitis):
- Cloudy eye(s)
- Eye that appears red or inflamed
- Squinting and light sensitivity
- Retinal detachment in severe cases
Systemic signs:
- Fever (often > 104°F / 40°C)
- Anorexia and lethargy
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or jaundice (liver involvement)
- Muscle pain or weakness
Approximately 10% of systemically infected cats develop uveitis, which can progress to glaucoma or blindness without prompt treatment, as described in Côté's Clinical Veterinary Advisor.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis combines serology (IgM antibodies suggest active infection; high IgG indicates exposure), PCR testing of aqueous humor for ocular cases, and clinical signs with response to treatment.
The primary treatment is clindamycin (12.5–25 mg/kg twice daily for 4 weeks) or trimethoprim-sulfonamide as an alternative. Cats with uveitis receive concurrent topical anti-inflammatory eye drops. Most cats with acute pulmonary or neurological toxoplasmosis require hospitalization with oxygen support and supportive care. Treatment costs typically run $300–800 for uncomplicated outpatient cases; hospitalized cats with respiratory compromise can cost $800–2,500 or more.
Zoonotic Risk: What Cat Owners Need to Know
The risk to humans from pet cats is frequently overstated. A cat sheds oocysts for only 1–3 weeks in its lifetime, oocysts require 24–48 hours to sporulate (become infectious) after being shed, and most human infections come from undercooked meat — not cat contact. Nonetheless, the following precautions are prudent:
- Pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals should have someone else clean the litter box, or wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly
- Scoop litter boxes daily (before oocysts sporulate)
- Keep cats indoors to reduce hunting exposure
- Don't feed raw meat to cats
The AAFP-AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines, 2021 address toxoplasmosis testing and owner counseling as part of routine wellness visits.
When to See a Vet
Call your vet today if:
- Your cat has sudden onset of neurological signs — wobbly gait, seizures, circling, behavioral change
- Your cat's eye appears cloudy, inflamed, or the cat is squinting persistently
- Your cat has a fever, is lethargic, and not eating for more than 24 hours
- An immunocompromised cat (FIV/FeLV-positive) shows any of the above signs
Go to the ER immediately if:
- Your cat is having a seizure
- Your cat is breathing with its mouth open or appears to be gasping
- Your cat collapses or cannot stand
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to get rid of my cat if I'm pregnant? No. The CDC and major veterinary professional bodies do not recommend rehoming cats during pregnancy. Instead: have someone else clean the litter box, scoop it daily, keep the cat indoors, and wash hands after any cat contact. The actual risk from an indoor, healthy cat is very low.
How do I know if my cat has toxoplasmosis? Most infected cats show no signs. If your cat is sick with neurological, respiratory, or eye signs, your vet will run blood serology (IgM/IgG titers) and possibly PCR testing. A single high IgG just means prior exposure, not active disease — paired titers or rising IgM are more meaningful.
How much does toxoplasmosis treatment cost? Outpatient treatment with clindamycin for an otherwise stable cat typically costs $200–500 including diagnosis and medication. Cats with neurological or respiratory involvement requiring hospitalization, oxygen support, and advanced diagnostics can cost $800–2,500 or more for the acute care episode.
Can indoor cats get toxoplasmosis? Indoor-only cats that eat only commercial food have very low exposure risk. The main exposure routes are eating infected prey or raw/undercooked meat. A strictly indoor cat fed commercial food has a very small chance of active infection.
Can toxoplasmosis be cured? Clindamycin controls the active infection in most cats, but does not eliminate all tissue cysts (bradyzoites). The parasite remains in tissues in a dormant cyst form — reactivation can occur if the cat later becomes immunosuppressed. Immunocompetent cats who recover typically remain clinically normal long-term.
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