COVID-19, the coronavirus, has caused a global pandemic in 2020, causing concern, questions and fear.
It’s only natural that, as you get a feather wand to enjoy some quality time with your cat, your mind may start to wonder… “Can my cat get the coronavirus?” “Can my cat give me the coronavirus?” “Should I be worried?”
Don’t wonder anymore. Here are the answers.
Can Cats Get COVID-19?
The answer is no. Cats cannot get COVID-19.
Cats can get the coronavirus, though NO type of COVID-19.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the CDC, infectious disease experts, and many human and animal health organizations, NO evidence supports pets that are sick with COVID-19 or transmitting the virus to humans or other animals.
What Should I Do About My Cat If I Get Sick With COVID-19?
Although cats are reported not to get sick with COVID-19, the AVMA recommends it limit the contact and your cat.
Try to choose another family member to take care of feeding, cleaning the litter boxes, and playtime. If you must care for your cat, wear a mask during these activities.
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, stop doing any of the following to your cat:
- Sharing food
- A kiss
- A hug
- Sharing dishes, glasses, cups or bowls
- Sharing towels or bedding
Also, be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after touching your cat.
Is There a Test for COVID-19 in Cats?
Yes, a test for COVID-19 became available through IDEXX Laboratories on March 13, 2020. Even though tests are available, the CDC, AVMA, and IDEXX do not recommend testing for pets at this time.
IDEXX reported that thousands of samples from dogs and cats were collected and tested. The results do not show positive cases. The findings are consistent with the current understanding of experts that the primary mode of transmission of COVID-19 is person-to-person.
What About My Cat’s Fur? Can it carry COVID-19?
You are very unlikely to contract COVID-19 by petting or playing with your cat. A cat’s fur is porous and fibrous; therefore, the virus cannot attach itself to a coat that allows transmission.
What If My Cat Gets Sick During This Pandemic?
If you notice that your cat is not feeling well, contact your veterinarian and discuss the need for an appointment. You can also contact a telemedicine veterinarian to discuss your pet’s symptoms.
When making an appointment, follow all new hospital guidelines and regulations to maintain social distance to protect yourself, the veterinarians, and the veterinary staff.
If you are ill with COVID-19 or have been ordered to self-isolate due to symptoms or exposure, DON’T take your pet to the vet. Ask a family member, friend, or guardian to take your cat to a veterinary hospital. Make sure they also follow social distancing policies.
How Can I Keep My Cat Safe During This Pandemic?
The AVMA recommends that all pet owners be prepared for an emergency.
Make sure you have an emergency kit with at least two weeks worth of food for your cat and any necessary medication. These emergency kits will come in handy in the event of self-quarantine or self-isolation if you are likely to be exposed to or contract COVID-19.
How about Two Dogs in Hong Kong Good Test?
A test with two dogs in Hong Kong did not differentiate between intact virus or virus fragments.
Why is that important? An incomplete detection of the virus can mean that there is a real infection. In a clip, there is none.
Many medical professionals doubt whether the two dogs ever had an actual infection. The first dog tested positive for COVID-19 tested NEGATIVE for antibodies to the virus. The antibodies show that the infection was never present as the body’s white blood cells did not respond.
The first dog to test positive for COVID-19 in Hong Kong recently died after being quarantined. Before being released, the dog was tested positive for the virus. The most likely causes of death were not COVID-19, but due to age (17 years) and multiple underlying diseases.
Neither the dogs nor the people in the household have shown any signs of infection with COVID-19.
Should these two conditions be cause for concern?
Currently, there are more than 335,000 known human cases of COVID-19, and those numbers are rising every day. So far, only two dogs have been tested and found evidence of the virus or fragments in the blood.
With the rapid spread of COVID-19 in humans, there should be a higher number of cases if the virus infects dogs and cats.
At this time, the World Health Organization is monitoring ongoing research about COVID-19 and pets.
Is There A Coronavirus That Cats Can Contract?
Although cats do not have COVID-19, they can get feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). FECV is similar to COVID-19 in that it is a single-stranded RNA virus that is prevalent in domestic cat populations worldwide, regardless of breed.
Transmission of FECV occurs through ingestion or inhalation of infected feces. Specific ways cats can come into contact with infected feces include:
- Dirty litter boxes
- A cat grooms another cat with infected feces on its fur
- Household items – such as huts, blankets, scratching posts, etc.
- Touching people with viral contamination on the skin
FECV is a common virus that most cats get during their lifetime; infection rates are 90% of cats kept in herds and up to 50% of cats in single-cat households.
Kittens often have infections that occur when they are less than 16 weeks old. FECV infection is usually asymptomatic, but mild diarrhea may occur.
Is There a Way to Prevent Feline Coronavirus?
You can reduce the risk of spread by making the following changes.
- Clean your litter boxes every day. Also make sure you have an adequate number of litter boxes in your home. A good rule of thumb is to have one litter pan rather than multiple cats.
- Do not place litter boxes near food or water bowls. Litter boxes placed next to plates will result in faecal particles settling on the edges of the bowl, food, and water, allowing for increased chances of faecal-oral transmission.
- Reduce your cat’s stress. As in humans, reducing stress is beneficial in strengthening the immune system to prevent disease. Make sure your cats have enrichment toys, scratching posts, and places to hide.
- Get regular vet checkups. Your cats should see the vet regularly to make sure they are current on the recommended vaccinations to prevent stress from underlying illnesses.
Is Feline Coronavirus as Deadly as COVID-19?
Death from FECV is very rare. Unfortunately, FECV can cause an immune response called Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), which is fatal.
About 5% of cats infected with FECV will develop FIP. FIP usually develops in cats between 3 months and 2 years of age, but any age can have this reaction.
FIP can come in two different forms called the dry form and the wet form.
I dry form it will cause inflammatory lesions in the body but mainly affects the central nervous system, eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas.
I liquid form it will cause inflammation of the blood vessels leading to leakage of fluid into secondary areas, including the abdomen, thorax, heart, and scrotum.
What are the Symptoms of FIP?
Clinical signs FIP owners will see at home include:
- loss of food
- weight loss
- fatigue
- fluctuating fever that does not respond to antibiotics.
Can Certain Breeds Get FIP?
Yes, some breeds are at a higher risk of developing FIP. This includes:
- Abyssinian
- Bengali
- Birman
- The Himalayan
- Rag doll
- Devon Rex
What Should I Do If My Cat Has FIP Symptoms?
If you notice any of these signs of FIP, contact your veterinarian immediately for an evaluation. Diagnosing FIP is confusing and frustrating as many of the clinical signs are vague and can co-occur with other diseases found in cats.
At this time, FIP is fatal in almost all cases. Supportive care can temporarily reduce symptoms and improve your cat’s quality of life.
This care includes anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, fluid support, and pain management. Unfortunately once FIP is diagnosed, humane euthanasia may be the appropriate course of action.
Thankfully there are experimental drugs on the horizon that show high success rates in treating FIP.
In conclusion
During this time of the global pandemic with COVID-19, you can be sure that your cat will not catch or pass the disease to you or your family.
However, make sure you take the right steps to keep your family and pets safe. Be sure to continue to follow AVMA and CDC guidelines for updates on the pet’s role in COVID-19.
While we spend a lot of time at home, we also enjoy your cats. Take your time with your cats in active play and allow moments of relaxation and love (sometimes they drool).
If you have any concerns about your cat’s health, contact your local veterinarian or use telemedicine services.
So go ahead, keep playing with your cat, and the feather stick!