Signs of rabies in cats Like dogs, cats get rabies, a well-known and feared disease. It is a deadly disease. Foxes, raccoons, bats, and rats carry the virus. The disease is transmitted to cats by bites or scratches from these animals. The bite or scratch of a rabies-infected cat also infects humans and other animals. After the virus enters the body, it spreads to the brain. These symptoms may take 2-6 weeks in cats and gradually develop.