Coronavirus can linger on cat's fur from human touch and infect it, proper hygiene necessary: Experts
A group of veterinary doctors has offered a piece of advice to self-isolating cat owners, keep your cats indoors.
"We are not advising that all cats are kept indoors. Only cats from infected households or where their owners are self-isolating, and only if the cat is happy to be kept indoors." the British Veterinary Association President, Daniella Dos Santos said in a statement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating cases of coronavirus in pets that were infected by humans. “We’re aware of two dogs that have been infected in Hong Kong, a cat in Belgium and we’ve heard recently the reports of a tiger at the Bronx Zoo,” Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead on the outbreak said during a press conference.
“There are several groups that are conducting investigations in animals to understand how pets are infected," she added. The WHO also requested people to remain kind and respectful to animals that are likely to catch the infection.
Commenting on the studies, Santos said, “There have been a tiny number of cases of COVID-19 in animals and all cases, the transmission was likely human to animal,” she said. “There is no evidence that pets can pass COVID-19 to their owners."
The new coronavirus can linger on the cat's fur, so practicing good hand hygiene is key to keeping them safe, she added. Further, the virus can spread through touch in the same way it can be picked up from surfaces like tables and doorknobs.
She, however, adds some cats might not like to stay indoors due to stress-related medical reasons and should not be forced to do so.
This comes on the heels of a study that found that pet owners can pass on the virus to their cats. The study, however, did not find any evidence to suggest that infected cats were capable of spreading the infection to humans.
The virus seems to infect cats and ferrets broadly. "We found that SARS-CoV-2 replicates poorly in dogs, pigs, chickens, and ducks, but efficiently in ferrets and cats," the authors of the study wrote.
"From the small number of cases, it appears that dogs do not show symptoms, but cats can show clinical signs of the disease,” Santos said.
Recently, a tiger from the Bronx zoo tested positive for coronavirus. The four-year-old Malayan tiger developed symptoms, a dry cough and a slight loss of appetite on March 27. Three other tigers are also showing symptoms, according to reports.
One of the two dogs that tested positive for the virus, died in Hong Kong in late February. According to Kerkhove, the other dog had a low level of the virus in its body and is doing well currently.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), pet owners should wash hands before and after interacting with pets, ensure pets are kept well-groomed, and regularly clean their food and water bowls, bedding material, and toys.
“If you are not ill with COVID-19, you can interact with your pet as you normally would, including walking, feeding, and playing. You should continue to practice good hygiene during those interactions,” the AVMA said.