The virus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID, originated in bats and then, probably after passing through an intermediate host, gained the ability to infect humans.
Many new viruses that emerge in this way, such as SARS-CoV-2, retain the ability to infect both animals and humans.
It is well documented that the SARS-CoV-2 virus infects several different animals. Cases of COVID have been reported in animals as diverse as hamsters, ferrets, lions, tigers, mink, and non-human primates.
However, the question that worries many of us in our cozy domesticated worlds is what kind of threat does the virus pose to cats and dogs, the animals with which we have the closest relationship?
Can cats and dogs get COVID?
Yes, cats and dogs can get COVID.
Both cats and dogs were found to be infected with the virus. Several studies involving domestic animal testing have confirmed the presence of these infections.
One of the most interesting suggestions from a preprint study (which has not yet been peer-reviewed by other scientists) is that cats and dogs were less susceptible to the BA.1 Omicron variant compared to earlier variants.
It was speculated that mutations in this variant that we know made it more transmissible in humans might have made it less able to bind to cellular receptors in cats and dogs.
Read more: Understanding how animals become infected with COVID-19 can help control the pandemic
Who gives it to whom?
Although it is theoretically possible for COVID to be transmitted in either direction, i.e. from humans to cats and dogs, from cats and dogs to humans, and from these animals to each other, the current belief is that the virus it is mainly transmitted from humans to these pets.
There are a number of possible explanations for why transmission generally occurs in this direction.
However, the most likely explanation is that these animals, when infected, generate much lower viral loads than humans and can only excrete the virus for a short period of time, making them less likely to transmit the virus on.
How common is it in pets?
The question of how common COVID is in animals in general, and in domestic animals, is being actively explored.
As for how common it is in cats and dogs, there are methodological challenges to answering this question in large studies. Try taking a nasal swab on your cat and see how it works!
Despite the practical obstacles, a study published in June suggests that such infections may be more common than initially thought. The researchers studied blood samples from 59 dogs and 48 cats in Ontario, Canada, who lived with people who had tested positive for COVID.
They found that 52% of cats and 41% of dogs had antibodies directed at SARS-CoV-2, suggesting they had been previously infected with the coronavirus. Cats were more likely than dogs to have contracted COVID in this study, but the authors note that there is a lot of variability in studies looking at the prevalence of infection in animals.
Read more: Deer, mink and hyenas have caught COVID-19: Animal virologists explain how to find the coronavirus in animals and why humans should worry
How serious is it in pets?
When a cat or dog has symptoms of COVID, they have pretty much the same symptoms as humans.
They generally do not feel well and the symptoms they experience include coughing and sneezing, lethargy and loss of appetite.
But the good news is that available data suggest that most of the time the infection produces no symptoms or very mild disease. And the duration of their symptoms, if they occur, can be very short.
While it is possible for a pet to have more severe symptoms, this appears to be rare.
So what are we to make of this?
The strong message from what we know so far is that humans pose a much greater threat to our cats and dogs than they do to us when it comes to COVID.
So if you do become infected, it’s probably wise to limit contact with your pets, especially when you’re at your most contagious. As you probably do anyway, you should treat your pet as you would any other member of your family when you are sick and do everything you can to reduce the likelihood of infecting them.
Trying to get your pet to wear a mask, however, is definitely a step too far…
The good news is that even if you did give your pet COVID, they are likely to have no or only mild symptoms. And even if they suffer from more serious illnesses, evidence suggests they will recover quickly.
Of course, if you suspect your pet has COVID and aren’t sure what to do, you should seek professional advice.