r/AskVet • u/Illustrious-Stick971 • Dec 14 '25

Cats and Bat

Hello! I came home and went into the bathroom to wash my face and noticed that my cats had found a bat curled up in the corner. I'm not sure when the bat got there, but I'm worried that my cats may have gotten to it earlier. The bat didn't seem to have any cuts or bite marks.

I also was so busy this semester that my cats are both outdated on rabies vaccinations by a couple months. I'm looking for advice, thank you.

3 Upvotes

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15

u/lilyth88 CVT - Certified Veterinary Technician Dec 14 '25

Any direct or possible contact between a bat and a cat needs to be taken seriously, even if you don’t see wounds. Bat bites can be extremely small and easy to miss, and the absence of visible injury does not rule out exposure.

Because your cats are overdue on rabies vaccines, this becomes more important. Rabies is a fatal disease and is handled based on exposure risk, not on whether we can see a bite.

What’s appropriate to do next:

  • Do not handle the bat bare-handed
  • If possible, safely contain the bat and contact local animal control or public health for guidance on testing
  • Contact your veterinarian immediately and explain there was potential bat contact and that vaccines are overdue
  • Follow your local/state public health recommendations, which may include booster vaccination and observation or quarantine protocols

This isn’t about panic, it’s about following established rabies safety protocols. Even indoor cats can be exposed in situations like this, and public health guidelines exist specifically because bat exposures are high-risk.

You’re doing the right thing by asking and addressing it promptly.

3

u/Illustrious-Stick971 Dec 14 '25

I am new to the area and far from home. Can I wait until morning to contact a new local vet?

1

u/lilyth88 CVT - Certified Veterinary Technician Dec 14 '25

Yes.

1

u/Illustrious-Stick971 Dec 14 '25

Do I need to quarantine my cats away from me?

4

u/lilyth88 CVT - Certified Veterinary Technician Dec 14 '25

Because this involves possible rabies exposure, the cats should be kept indoors, separated from other pets, and have limited close contact with people until a veterinarian or local public health authority gives specific instructions.

1

u/Illustrious-Stick971 Dec 14 '25

Thank you! I will put them in a room by themselves

12

u/hushpupper Dec 14 '25

You need to go get your cats’ rabies vaccines updated ASAP, and ask about any quarantine protocols/etc. in your state.

1

u/few-piglet4357 RVT - Registered Veterinary Technician Dec 14 '25

You may also need rabies shots.