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Can a stray cat have rabies but not show any signs for months?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Can a stray unvaccinated cat be an asymptomatic carrier of rabies? And secrete the rabies virus for months before its death?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on September 4th, 2018

Hi there. It's possible that a stray cat could be infected with rabies even if it's not showing any symptoms. However, an infected animal isn't contagious until the very last stages of infection. The general rule of thumb is that if an animal with an unknown vaccine history bites someone, it needs to be quarantined for 10 days to observe for any symptoms. If the animal is infected and contagious, they will develop serious neurlogic issues and die within a few days. If they animal is still alive and healthy after 10 days, you can be confident that it was not shedding the rabies virus at the time of the bite.

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6Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 3rd, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If a cat has the infectious form of rabies it is in their salivary gland. The virus is only in the salivary gland at the end of the disease and the animal will show symptoms (act crazy, neurologic, dumb or die) with in 10 days of it being in the salivary gland. The virus is spread through the saliva so via a bite through the skin, saliva in the eye or the gums or a scratch in the skin in cats because they groom themselves. If there was no direct contact with the cat it can't spread rabies. It can NOT spread rabies if the virus isn't in the salivary glands, which means in the early phase of the disease. If a cat bites you, the cat needs to be quarantined for 10 days. If it doesn't die or show symptoms it couldn't give you Rabies. I hope this helps!

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