How to Disinfect Cat Furniture From the FeLV Virus

FeLV is an acronym for feline leukemia. It is a highly contagious and fatal disease found in domestic cats. The disease is caused by retrovirus, which weakens the cat's immune system. Cats contract the virus after coming in contact with an infected cat's urine, tears, feces or saliva. The virus has an incubation period of two to four weeks. It is estimated that in the United States, there are about 2 to 3 percent cats infected with feline leukemia, according to Cornell University's Feline Health Center. Once a cat is diagnosed with FeLV, the chances are very high that it will survive for just a few weeks.

If your cat has recently succumbed to FeLV, spend time disinfecting the deceased cat's furniture, feeding bowl, bedding, toys, litter tray and water bowl. While the FeLV virus cannot survive outside the host's body for more than a few hours, most cats suffering from feline leukemia will also have other infections. To prevent the new cat from getting either the FeLV or another pathogen, it is best to disinfect all items belonging to the ill cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Household bleach
  • Water
  • Cloth
  • Gloves
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Mop
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mix four ounces of household bleach in one gallon of water to prepare the disinfectant. Use the diluted bleach solution to disinfect your cat's belongings, such as bedding, its scratch post, litter tray and toys.

    • 2

      Soak a clean cloth in the bleach solution and wipe down the toys and scratch post belonging to your deceased cat.

    • 3

      Wash the cat's bedding, water bowl, litter tray and feeding bowl in the diluted bleach solution.

    • 4

      Mop the floor of the entire house, especially where the cat spent the most time, with the diluted bleach solution.

    • 5

      Vacuum clean the rugs and carpets in the house and dispose off the cleaner bag immediately.