As nationwide panic ensues, cat owners are asking a very important question… Can cats get the coronavirus?

[EDITED 4/16/20]

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has become a serious health issue. As stores run out of toilet paper and people hunker down in a self-induced quarantine, pet owners have another problem to worry about: the possibility that their pets could become infected.

In fact, pets are being abandoned in record numbers as cities in China are evacuated. Cats and dogs are literally starving to death after being left behind.

[Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional. All information contained in this article is the most up-to-date as of the time this article was posted/written/edited. If your cat is sick, or if you suspect they are sick, take them to a licensed vet.]

Keep Calm And Carry On

First things first: DON’T PANIC. It’s a virus, not the bubonic plague.

Secondly, it’s important to understand exactly what the coronavirus is.

What Is The Coronavirus?

The coronavirus is primarily a respiratory illness with symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC (Center for Disease Control in the United States) reports that symptoms of COVID-19 may start to appear anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure.

COVID-19 spreads from person to person “through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes”, according to the CDC’s website. Multiple outlets have asked US citizens to stay at home and practice “social distancing” to help slow the spread of the virus.

Can Cats Get The Coronavirus?

We know that human beings can become infected with the coronavirus, but what about cats? What about dogs? Birds? Wildlife?

Before we get into that, I learned a surprising fact while researching COVID-19.

This Isn’t The First Coronavirus

Did you know that there are other forms of coronavirus?

In an article from February 18, 2020, CNN stated that “…coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases [emphasis added], they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans…”.

A press release out of Hong Kong reported that a dog had tested “weak positive” for COVID-19 in its mouth and nasal passages. In an update, the New York Post wrote that the dog tested negative after being quarantined.

The sad reality is that panic has led to the killing of innocent animals (many of them pets) in China for fear that they may be carriers of the coronavirus. Some organizations have dedicated themselves to killing unattended animals on sight to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

Is It Possible For Animals To Be Carriers Of COVID-19?

Animals have been carriers, and have also become infected, by previous coronaviruses. Unfortunately, a study from China has shown that cats can be infected with COVID-19. Before you freak out, this is the only known study that has been done so far, and China has lied about the coronavirus from the beginning. It’s possible that it is yet more propaganda funded by their government, but it’s best to exercise caution nonetheless.

However, there hasn’t been any evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by cats. There is also no concrete evidence that humans can infect their pets with the coronavirus.

The results are based on lab experiments in which a small number of animals were deliberately infected with high doses of the virus, SARS-CoV-2, and do not represent real-life interactions between people and their pets, says virologist Linda Saif at The Ohio State University in Columbus. There is no direct evidence that the infected cats secreted enough coronavirus to infect people, she says.”

If you are infected with the coronavirus, you should still use the same caution around your pets as you would with humans:

• Minimize touching your pet or being close to them (I know it’s hard!)
• Wash your hands
• Cover your coughs/sneezes
• Have someone else feed your pet and care for them if possible

Are My Cats Safe From COVID-19?

Most likely, but cats can still contract other coronaviruses. COVID-19 might not infect your cat or dog, but it’s important to understand that they are still at risk for other strains.

Feline coronavirus, as defined by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, is “a common viral infection in cats. It generally causes asymptomatic infection, but can cause mild diarrhea.”

‘Asymptomatic’ means that there are no visible symptoms, so you may not even know if a cat has feline coronavirus unless they are tested. Some cases of feline coronavirus have led to the development of FIP (feline infectious peritonitis).

The Short Answer

Yes, your pets (including cats) are probably safe from the coronavirus.

No, it is not likely that pets can be carriers.

Yes, you should still wash your hands and practice safety measures to prevent the spread of germs to your pets.

Speaking of safety measures, have you checked out our post on Lilies & Cats? Keep your cats safe this Easter season by keeping lilies FAR away from them!

Need more safety tips? Let us know what cat care subjects you’d like to hear more about in the comments section below.