There are several ways that a cat can contract Feline Leukemia, the most often being through bite wounds and mucous membrane contact resulting from cat fights and breeding. It can also be spread through the sharing of litter boxes and food and water bowls, and an infected mother can spread it to her kittens in utero.

Feline Leukemia is an immunosuppressive virus. When a cat has this virus, it is hard for the body to fight off infection if that cat contracts a disease. Regular screening and vaccinations are very important because there is no cure for Feline Leukemia.