Biting is the main method of transmission as the virus passes through the saliva to the bloodstream and so unneutered males are more at risk as they are more likely to fight with other cats.During mating, the male will firmly grip the female by the skin on her neck so there would be a risk to the female if the skin were punctured, although females are less commonly found to be infected and this is not believed to be a significant method of infection.FIV can potentially be passed on from a pregnant cat to her kittens, although again this is rare. The virus does not last long outside the infected cat’s body, so cannot be transmitted via clothing or equipment etc.