Can pets get COVID-19?

COVID-19 is of zoonotic origin, but that does not necessarily mean it will spread back to the animal population. Despite a few isolated cases, it is highly unlikely that pets will become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and transmit it. It is the species-specific coronaviruses that we need to be concerned about.

SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread around the world, causing anxiety and paranoia. In early March 2020, a dog in Hong Kong that tested weakly positive for COVID-19 inevitably sparked a wave of concern and misconceptions among pet owners, leading to a surge in animal abandonment. “However, there is no need to worry about feline or canine coronaviruses,” explains Sophie Le Poder, a professor of virology at the National Veterinary School of Alfort. “They’ve been around for a very, very long time and don’t spread to other pets or to humans. This has never been documented.”

However, with a second dog testing positive and the first cat developing symptoms, it is important to set the record straight. To date, there is no evidence that dogs or cats are capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2.

In fact, there is a big difference between being infected and being infectious. In the former case, the virus cannot be transmitted; and according to the authorities, this is the case for the carrier animals identified so far. While the two asymptomatic dogs appear to have contracted the virus from contaminated surfaces, the animals that came into contact with them were not infected. And even though the cat appears to be showing symptoms, there is no indication of a productive viral infection.

The three cases detected so far do not, therefore, allow us to conclude at this time that there is an active infection that would facilitate contagiousness between animals and humans or between animals. To confirm these assumptions, between February 24 and March 12, 2020, in 50 U.S. states and in South Korea—where human cases of COVID-19 had been reported—several pets, including dogs (55%), cats (41%), and horses (4%), were tested. All tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. A U.S. veterinary company confirmed that, out of thousands of dogs and cats tested, none have tested positive for COVID-19 to date. The occurrence therefore remains very rare.

These few cases of transmission therefore do not call into question the recommendations that have already been issued. The American Veterinary Medical Association, WOAH, and the CDC are unequivocal. They all agree that, at this time, there is no evidence that pets such as cats and dogs can transmit COVID-19 to other animals, including humans. Although the virus originated in a wild animal, there is no evidence to suggest that domestic animals are active carriers of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

But while the COVID-19 pandemic does not specifically affect pets, coronaviruses have been a primarily veterinary concern for more than 20 years—especially in cats.

In fact, cats are routinely vaccinated against a species-specific coronavirus. Present in nearly all cat populations (catteries, shelters, breeders), the feline coronavirus (FCoV) is involved in shedding by more than 60% of cats living in groups. Generally enteric and with minimal clinical impact, the infection progresses to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in 1% of cases, which is almost always fatal.

Feline infectious peritonitis occurs when the virus mutates within the individual and finds a way to evade the normal immune system. Although it is no longer contagious at this stage, the virus then causes fairly severe symptoms. It is estimated to be responsible for the deaths of 1.4% of cats worldwide and is particularly difficult to control and diagnose. As with COVID-19, in the absence of an effective vaccine, the only hope for treatment lies in antiviral drugs.

Veterinarians have successfully tested the safety and efficacy of a human treatment, Remdesivir (GS-5734), and a more potent nucleoside analog (GS-441524). These antivirals target specific stages of RNA virus replication and are capable of curing feline infectious peritonitis. Originally developed to combat Ebola and SARS—another coronavirus—Remdesivir is one of the most promising treatments for combating emerging viruses in humans, including COVID-19. Animal studies are already underway. Fingers crossed.