The University of Washington’s Center for One Health Research launched the COVID-19 and Pets Study (CAPS) to investigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics between individuals who tested positive and their household companion animals.

University of California, Santa Cruz

Google

Many who have pets have been worried about how common household pets, specifically cats and dogs, may play a role in the COVID-19 pandemic.


To access a live tracker of confirmed COVID-19 cases in animals, including cats and dogs, by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories in the United States, please visit following link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/SA_One_Health/sars-cov-2-animals-us.


Household Pets

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

While pets are not shown to be transmissible carriers of COVID-19, caution should be maintained when caring for pets if a household member or caretaker is positive for COVID-19, and to limit the spread of disease. Safe practices include:

- Having adequate amounts of pet food, medication, and other supplies in store for weeks

- Keep pets from interacting from humans and other animals from outside the household

- Keeping pets indoors or within enclosed areas

- Maintaining social distancing when taking pets on their walks

- Avoid dog parks or other areas with high traffic

- Have a person that is confirmed negative for COVID-19 take care of the pets


How to Stay Safe with Pets

Cross-species transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is a very important factor in spreading the infection. Although we do not have enough evidence of relationships between humans, pets, and domesticated animals, we still need to consider that those animals may be at risk. People living with pets need to take extra precautions, and if they test positive for SARS-Cov-2, they must not have any contact with their pets until they are clear of the virus. Those handling poultry, cows, and other domesticated animals must be careful as well to ensure a one health approach. Because they share the same  animal and human cell receptor, Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), and there is the potential for this transmission to take place if standard precautions are bypassed. 


The Role of Pets in Transmission of COVID-19


University of Washington COVID-19 and Pets Study (CAPS)

SARS-CoV-2 transmission involving household pets can be categorized by direction and subject: human-to-animal transmission, animal-to-human transmission, and animal-to-animal transmission (including transmission between animals of the same or different species). Confirmed cases and lab trials show pets can be infected, but the strength of evidence and risk level differs across these modes.

Modes and Subjects of COVID-19 Transmission in Household Pets

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

- 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 

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.

First COVID-19 Cases in Cats and Dogs in the USA

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.

Learn Before

Related