How do cats get FIV?
The virus of FIV is primarily within certain cells inside infected cats. When virus is shed to the outside it is mainly in the saliva. Transmission of infection to another cat requires fairly direct inoculation of the saliva and a bite from an infected, shedding cat is the primary means of transmitting FIV. It is not surprising that cats that are known fighters, particularly those with a history of cat bite abscesses, have a higher risk of being FIV-positive. The FIV is not able to survive for very long outside of living cat cells and this is another reason that infection is uncommon. Kittens can also be infected at or soon after birth probably through virus that is transmitted during pregnancy or through the queen (mother) cat’s milk. Around a quarter to a third of kittens born to an infected queen are likely to be infected themselves. Normal social interactions, such as grooming, have a very low risk of transmitting FIV.
