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My unvaccinated cat fought a stray. Should I worry about rabies?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Siamese | Male | neutered | 4 years old | 7 lbs

My cat is not vaccinated, and had a fight with a stray cat yesterday. Altough my cat doesn't have any visible injuries/is not bleeding I got very scared when I started thinking that maybe the stray cat gave my cat rabies. I touched my cat's fur hours after, and then thought that the stray cat`s saliva may give me rabies. Today my cat was a little wet, maybe from its own saliva. I touched it to see if it was hurt, and I dont have open wounds on my fingers, but Im scared of my own cat. Help!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 20th, 2017

I think the likelihood of you acquiring rabies is relatively low, however it is much higher for Tomas. I'd recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian to have his rabies vaccine updated and to discuss a quarantine period if needed. Even if Tomas has been exposed to rabies he would not be able to shed the virus for at least a few weeks.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 19th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, if he is an outdoor cat and not vaccinated for Rabies he could get Rabies from a wild animal or another unvaccinated pet. He will not show signs of Rabies that quickly. It can take up to 6 months for the virus to end up in the salivary gland and brain tissue. It has to be in the salivary gland to transmit it via saliva. Once it is in the salivary gland the animal will show neurologic signs of Rabies with in 10 days. You should take him to the vet to have him evaluated and follow your state laws regarding vaccinating after a bite and quarantine. Some states make owners quarantine for 6 months. Most likely he got in to a fight with another cat and was painful when you scruffed him to look at the wound. Rabies is deadly to people/animals, to protect yourself and your neighborhood you should keep your pets up to date on the rabies vaccine. I wish you all the best!

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