We have several cats who love to sneak out of the house (they're quite good at it) and roam the backyard, the nearby woods & fields. Recently, my wife who is quite allergic to poison ivy, contracted it. We think she got it from one of the cats that returned with it on its fur.

I read in another post that dogs can carry on their fur and transfer it to humans. Am I correct in assuming cats can as well? If they can, can anyone suggest a way to stop it (a hosing down of the cats in the backyard won't work; and they continue to escape despite our best efforts).