Can cats get rabies by themselves?

Usually, cats will not get rabies by themselves. The rabies virus mainly exists in the brain tissue, salivary glands, and other parts of infected animals. The main mode of transmission of rabies is through bites from infected animals to normal animals, causing infection. The incubation period after rabies virus infection varies, ranging from 2-8 weeks to even years. The best way to prevent rabies is to vaccinate against the rabies virus.

Rabies is an acute encephalitis caused by the rabies virus. If a cat has not come into contact with an infected animal, the chance of getting rabies is very low. The rabies virus mainly exists in the brain tissue, salivary glands, and other parts of infected animals. Infected animals excrete the virus through saliva. If a healthy animal is accidentally bitten by an infected animal, it may be infected.

The incubation period of the rabies virus is generally 2-8 weeks, but it can also be several months to several years. The length of the incubation period mainly depends on the bite site, the cat's immune status, and the virulence of the virus. After rabies virus infection, there are three stages: incubation period, aggressive period, and paralytic period. The incubation period generally does not show related clinical symptoms. In the aggressive period, the cat will emit a harsh scream and attack humans and animals violently. It may also show symptoms such as confusion, abnormal appetite, behavior changes, etc. As the disease progresses, it will enter the paralytic period, where the cat usually shows symptoms such as drooping jaw, severe drooling, posterior paralysis, inability to rise, and lying down. The cat usually dies of respiratory failure. Rabies is a preventable disease but is difficult to treat. The best way to prevent rabies is to vaccinate against the rabies virus, and the first time for cats to vaccinate against the rabies virus is at 3 months of age. Vaccination cannot be提前done because it is more stimulating to the cat's body.