A small study conducted at the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China examined the susceptibility of a number of species to COVID-19, including cats and dogs.
They found that cats can be infected with the coronavirus and may be able to spread it to other cats via respiratory droplets. However, none of the cats from the study showed outward signs of illness.
The test dogs were more resistant. Three were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – and housed with two dogs not exposed to the virus.
After a week, the virus was not detected in any of the dogs. Not only did the infected dogs resist the virus, the control dogs also remained uninfected.
Despite the feline findings there is still absolutely no evidence that pets can transmit COVID-19 to humans. According to veterinary microbiologist, Glenn Browning, “People appear to pose more risk to their pets than they do to us.”
Learn more about the study and how COVID-19 affects dogs and cats.
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