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

Michigan State University

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.

COVID-19 in Domestic Cats

- 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 

- 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.


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