Can Cats Catch COVID-19? What Pet Owners Need to Know

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised numerous concerns for pet owners worldwide, with many questioning whether their beloved feline companions can contract the virus. The short answer is yes—cats can catch COVID-19, but the risk and severity differ significantly from human infection. Understanding how cats interact with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can help pet owners make informed decisions about protecting their furry family members.

Can Cats Get COVID-19?

Research has definitively confirmed that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multiple scientific studies have demonstrated that cats can become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, and in certain conditions, they may transmit it to other cats. However, the clinical presentation in cats differs markedly from what humans experience.

In laboratory studies conducted at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, researchers administered SARS-CoV-2 to three cats isolated from a human patient. By the following day, the virus was detectable in two of the animals, and within three days, all three cats were shedding the virus from their nasal passages. Despite this, none of the cats showed signs of illness, and all ultimately cleared the virus without incident.

How Do Cats Catch COVID-19?

The primary route of COVID-19 transmission to cats is close contact with infected humans. Cats typically contract the virus from their owners or other people with whom they have direct interaction. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets and saliva, similar to transmission patterns observed in humans.

Several documented cases illustrate this transmission pattern. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, two cats in private homes in New York tested positive for COVID-19. One cat had been in direct contact with a person who had confirmed COVID-19. These cats exhibited mild respiratory symptoms and made full recoveries.

Additionally, large cats at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19 after exposure to infected individuals. Research from Cornell University confirms that cats efficiently catch SARS-CoV-2 from humans, particularly during close contact situations.

Cat-to-Cat Transmission of COVID-19

Cats can transmit COVID-19 to other cats, though this typically occurs in close contact situations. Scientific research has demonstrated efficient cat-to-cat transmission in controlled environments. In one study, when researchers exposed previously uninfected cats to infected cats, transmission occurred within two to six days.

More recent research published in Microbiology Spectrum found that cats can transmit the virus through both direct and indirect contact. When infected cats were housed with uninfected cats, the previously unexposed felines became infected with the virus. Furthermore, the contaminated environment itself—including pens and shared spaces—can be infectious, though this infectiousness decays rapidly, with a mean duration of infectiousness of approximately one-third of a day.

These findings suggest that in multi-cat households where one cat is infected with COVID-19, other cats in the home face a risk of infection through close contact and shared living spaces.

Do Cats Show Symptoms of COVID-19?

One of the most significant findings from COVID-19 research in cats is that most infected cats show no symptoms or only mild signs of illness. In laboratory studies, even cats that were directly infected with SARS-CoV-2 remained asymptomatic and appeared entirely healthy.

In the few documented cases where cats showed clinical signs, the symptoms were mild and consistent with upper respiratory illness. Affected cats displayed minor respiratory symptoms that resolved without requiring veterinary intervention. This contrasts sharply with human COVID-19, which can cause severe illness and complications.

Because infected cats typically show no obvious symptoms, they may unknowingly transmit the virus to other cats or potentially to their environments. This asymptomatic presentation underscores the importance of precautionary measures when cats are exposed to infected individuals.

Can Cats Transmit COVID-19 to Humans?

One of the most reassuring findings from COVID-19 research concerns human safety: there is no documented evidence that cats transmit COVID-19 to humans. Despite numerous studies and monitoring of cats that have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, no confirmed cases of humans contracting COVID-19 from cats have been reported.

Researchers have confirmed that humans remain the biggest risk to other humans in viral transmission. The direction of transmission is largely one-way: from infected humans to cats, not the reverse. Scientists note that cat owners are far more likely to transmit COVID-19 to their cats than to contract the virus from their feline companions.

However, researchers emphasize that infected cats do shed infectious virus and excrete virus particles, suggesting theoretical transmission risk. Out of an abundance of caution, experts recommend that individuals with COVID-19 symptoms avoid close contact with their cats and maintain protective measures.

Protecting Your Cat from COVID-19

If you have COVID-19 or suspect you might be infected, several precautions can help protect your cat:

• Limit direct contact: Minimize close contact with your cat while symptomatic or during quarantine
• Keep cats indoors: Restrict outdoor access to limit contact with other people and animals who might be infected
• Practice hygiene: Wash hands before and after handling your cat, and avoid sharing food, drinks, or personal items
• Use protective measures: Consider wearing a mask and maintaining distance when possible during illness
• Monitor for symptoms: Watch for any signs of respiratory illness in your cat and contact your veterinarian if concerns arise
• Isolate infected cats: In multi-cat households, keep infected cats separated from other cats when possible to prevent transmission

Testing and Veterinary Care

If your cat has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or shows signs of respiratory illness, your veterinarian can provide guidance on whether testing is appropriate. The decision to test should be made in consultation with your veterinary professional, as testing is most useful for populations of cats shown to be susceptible to the virus and for monitoring transmission risks.

Most cats that become infected with SARS-CoV-2 recover completely without requiring specific treatment. Supportive care focusing on comfort and monitoring is typically sufficient. Your veterinarian can advise on appropriate care if your cat becomes ill.

Official Recommendations for Pet Safety

Both the World Organization for Animal Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize that there is no justification for taking measures against companion animals that may compromise their welfare. This guidance reflects the understanding that while cats can become infected with COVID-19, the risk to animals themselves is minimal, and the risk of transmission to humans is essentially nonexistent.

The American Veterinary Medical Association and CDC have developed specific recommendations for shelters housing potentially exposed pets. These guidelines help ensure that cats and other animals in shelter environments are protected while maintaining their health and welfare during the pandemic.

Natural Infection Risk in Cats

While laboratory studies have demonstrated that cats can become infected with COVID-19, the risk of natural infection through normal exposure appears quite low. Research monitoring animal shelter cats that had potentially been exposed to human COVID-19 cases found no positive results in testing, suggesting that natural transmission may be less common than laboratory conditions would suggest.

This distinction between laboratory transmission and natural infection risk is important for perspective. Although cats are susceptible to the virus, actual infection in household or community settings remains uncommon.

Vaccination for Cats

While COVID-19 vaccines have been developed for cats and dogs, experts indicate that vaccinating companion animals is not necessary. The low disease severity in cats, the minimal risk of cat-to-human transmission, and the availability of human vaccines make feline COVID-19 vaccination unnecessary from a public health perspective. Vaccination decisions should always be made in consultation with your veterinarian based on your cat’s individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can my cat catch COVID-19 from me?

A: Yes, cats can become infected with SARS-CoV-2 through close contact with infected humans. If you have COVID-19, limiting direct contact with your cat can reduce transmission risk.

Q: Will my cat get very sick if infected with COVID-19?

A: Most cats infected with COVID-19 show no symptoms or only mild respiratory signs. Severe illness in cats is extremely rare, and cats typically recover completely without specific treatment.

Q: Can I catch COVID-19 from my infected cat?

A: There is no documented evidence of humans contracting COVID-19 from cats. The virus transmission direction is primarily from humans to cats, not the reverse.

Q: Should I test my cat for COVID-19?

A: Testing decisions should be made in consultation with your veterinarian. Testing is most useful for monitoring populations of susceptible animals rather than individual pet cats.

Q: How long does COVID-19 last in cats?

A: Cats typically shed the virus from their nasal passages for up to six days before clearing the infection. The contaminated environment remains infectious for approximately one-third of a day.

Q: Should I keep my cat indoors if I have COVID-19?

A: Yes, keeping your cat indoors limits exposure to other people and animals and reduces transmission risk. This precaution also prevents your potentially infected cat from spreading the virus to other cats in the community.

Q: Does my cat need a COVID-19 vaccine?

A: No, experts indicate that COVID-19 vaccination for cats is not necessary. The low disease severity and minimal transmission risk make feline vaccination unnecessary from a public health perspective.

Q: Can multiple cats in my home infect each other?

A: Yes, cats can transmit COVID-19 to other cats through direct contact and contaminated environments. Separating infected cats from other household cats when possible can help prevent transmission.

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medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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