- The severity of the infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus is largely unclear.
- In one case of a naturally-occurring case of COVID-19 in a household feline, gastrointestinal issues and respiratory issues were reported and the cat recovered within 9 days. In two similar cases, the cats showed respiratory symptoms but are expected to make a full recovery.
- In experimentally-infected felines, there was no evidence of the virus in their lungs; it was found only in the upper respiratory airways, and had no signs of disease.


Effects of COVID-19 in Domestic Cats

- Currently, household cats are not being routinely screened for COVID-19 and requires a request from a veterinarian. 
- The infection is confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. 


COVID-19 Testing in Domestic Cats

- Findings suggest that human-to-cat and cat-to-cat transmission. 
- There is no evidence to suggest that cats can transmit the virus to humans.
- It is recommended that cats are kept inside to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, as cats who are able to roam out of their home are more likely to encounter COVID-19.
- Cat owners who have contracted COVID-19 should quarantine themselves from their pet as well as other humans in the home to decrease the possibility of transmission. 
- If it is not possible to have someone else in the home care for the cat, interactions between the infected person and cat should be limited. 
- Either temporarily or permanently rehoming the cat after a possible infection is not recommended as it is not known if the animal’s level of stress can impact its ability to fight and recover from the infection.


Mechanisms of Transmission of COVID-19 in Domestic Cats

If you are a cat owner and have tested positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you: 
- If possible, arrange for your cat to reside at a different household
- Avoid contact with your cat as much as possible if you must come into contact with your cat
- Remember to wear a mask and wash your hands before feeding/coming into contact with the cat

Lowering the Risk of Human-to-Cat Transmission of COVID-19

Domestic cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, although they are not considered highly susceptible. This conclusion is supported by the identification of naturally occurring infections, the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in domestic felines, and findings from experimentally infected cats.

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Early results from a study led by Dr Sarah Hamer, an associate professor of epidemiology at Texas A&M University, shows a connection between households with positive cases in Texas and their pets carrying the virus.

Shelly Rankin, a microbiologist at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, states that humans can infect animals with the virus. They have many of the same types of receptors on their cells that we do where the virus could attach itself.


Human-to-Animal Transmission

- Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19 and Feline Health. (2020, May 14). Retrieved January 05, 2021, from https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/coronavirus-update/frequently-asked-questions-covid-19-and-feline-health

- Penn State News. (2020, October 10). Veterinary experts offer advice after pet cat tests positive for COVID-19 in Pa. Retrieved January 31, 2021, from https://news.psu.edu/story/636163/2020/10/20/research/veterinary-experts-offer-advice-after-pet-cat-tests-positive-covid

References for COVID-19 and Domestic Cats 

1. Texas A&M University - https://vetmed.tamu.edu/hamer-lab/covid-19-pets-research/ and https://krld.radio.com/articles/news/study-makes-link-between-people-and-pets-who-test-positive

2. University of Pennsylvania - https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/quarantine-cat-disinfect-dog-latest-advice-about-coronavirus-and-your-pets


References of Human-to-Animal 
Transmission

AKC Staff. (2020, September 17). Can Dogs Get Coronavirus? Retrieved January 19, 2021, from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/can-dogs-get-coronavirus/ 

References for Dogs and COVID-19

- It is believed that although dogs can test positive for COVID-19, it does not pose a health risk to them.
- Findings have indicated that it is not easy for dogs to contract the virus.

Dogs and COVID-19

- Singla, R., Mishra, A., Joshi, R., Jha, S., Sharma, A. R., Upadhyay, S., Sarma, P., Prakash, A., & Medhi, B. (2020). Human animal interface of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) transmission: a critical appraisal of scientific evidence. Veterinary research communications, 44(3-4), 119–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-020-09781-0
- Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19 and Feline Health. (2020, May 14). Retrieved January 05, 2021, from https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/coronavirus-update/frequently-asked-questions-covid-19-and-feline-health
- Penn State News. (2020, October 10). Veterinary experts offer advice after pet cat tests positive for COVID-19 in Pa. Retrieved January 31, 2021, from https://news.psu.edu/story/636163/2020/10/20/research/veterinary-experts-offer-advice-after-pet-cat-tests-positive-covid

Human-to-Animal Transmission References

Human-to-Animal-Transmission Visual

A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City tested positive for COVID-19 after it showed respiratory symptoms such as dry cough. It is believed that the tiger got the infection from an asymptomatic zookeeper who was in contact with the tiger. This was the first documented case of a COVID-19 positive tiger in the world. 

COVID-19 in Tigers

There is evidence that minks can also contract COVID-19 from humans as seen in the Netherlands. After an increase in mink mortalities at a farm following respiratory symptoms, post-mortem testing showed positive COVID-19 results. Several of those who worked at the farm showed respiratory illness and tested positive for COVID-19 after the testing. 

COVID-19 in Minks

In late April 2020, the CDC confirmed the first COVID-19 cases among cats in the USA. Two cats in New York tested positive, with at least one presumed to be infected by an owner who had COVID-19. In early June 2020, the first dog in the USA to test positive was a German Shepherd in New York, infected after its owner tested positive. The dog later died, although its concurrent lymphoma leaves questions about the exact cause of death.

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