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As life under lockdown continues, and a study suggests cats can catch coronavirus, we answer the questions on pet owners' lips
ByFlic Everett and Alice Hall1 April 2020 • 2:45pm
As if worrying about each other isn’t stressful enough, love in the time of coronavirus extends to our pets, too. Owners are currently unsure about how to care for dogs and cats, when both social distancing and top-notch hygiene are entirely unfamiliar concepts to our furry pals.
A study released this week by Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China found that cats are susceptible to Covid-19, and appear to be able to transmit the virus through respiratory droplets to other cats. However, there is no direct evidence that cats can infect people with coronavirus,
In March, the first dog to test positive for coronavirus died. The pooch, a 17-year-old Pomeranian in Hong Kong, tested ‘weak positive’ in February. It was allowed to return home after two negative tests on March 12 and 13, only to die on Monday 16 March.
Before you put two and two together and start looking up dog isolation techniques, it’s important to note both instances of animal coronavirus transmissions come with caveats. The cat study was relatively small scale, and has yet to be peer reviewed; while the cause of the Pomeranian’s death is not clear. According to Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the owner has said she’s not willing to allow an autopsy on her pet. Experts are still convinced that animals are in no danger from Covid-19, and given the dog’s age, and the fact that it showed no symptoms, it’s perfectly possible it died from natural causes.
The first dog in the world to catch coronavirus has died
Until we have more research available, many pet lovers will prefer to err on the cautious side. But do pet owners have reason to worry about virus transmission – and what’s the best pet practice to adopt if we get ill?
Here’s the latest information to keep you and your pets as safe as possible.
At this stage it’s unlikely that dog owners have to worry about catching coronavirus from their pet. However, it seems cat owners might have to tread a little more carefully.
The research by Harbin Veterinary Research Institute involved giving a small number of animals a high dose of the virus. Five cats were inoculated with coronavirus, and three of these were placed in cages next to cats who had not been given the virus. The study suggested that transmission of Covid-19 occurs through respiratory droplets due to one of the exposed cats becoming infected.
These findings were then replicated in a second group of cats.
While there is no direct evidence that cats would be able to infect people with coronavirus, the team maintained their work provided “important insights into the animal reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 and animal management for COVID-19 control.”
However, experts are reassuring cat owners that there is no need to panic at this stage.
Dr Sarah Caney is a feline vet and CEO of Vet Professionals. She says she wasn’t surprised at the findings due to the genetic similarity between Covid-19 and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
“In 2003, it was found that cats could be infected with SARS, and could replicate and produce the virus, meaning they could potentially act as a source of infection,” she said. “Scientists did not believe any people were infected with SARS via cats; the overwhelming evidence from that time was that the virus spread via human to human transmission.”
She says overall, we “are unable to say conclusively whether this is a virus that will make cats unwell,” but there “are ways that cats could potentially be transmitting the virus”.
“We need to be careful not to overreact, as the data has come out and it hasn’t been through peer review. Not every test has been done in it,” she added.
The findings come shortly after a cat in Belgium displayed symptoms of Covid-19. The cat reportedly developed breathing difficulties and diarrhoea one week after its owner tested positive for the virus. Vets at the University of Liège, Belgium tested the cat for SARS-CoV-2 and detected the viral genome in vomit and a stool sample.
“This is an isolated case, so it is not the rule,” said microbiologist Emmanuel André of KU Leuven at a news conference held by Belgium’s public health institute.
In these early stages of research, it is not advised that healthy cat owners take any drastic measures.
Dr Caney says that high risk individuals who have a cat which goes outside may want to "err on the side of caution, and limit contact with their pet."
However, for the rest of us she says that would probably be over the top, and the risk of transmission remains "much greater person to person."
"For healthy individuals, always wash your hands before eating, as per typical hygiene advice. While we don’t know how long the virus might survive on a cat's coat, transmission would require someone ill to cough directly on their hand and then stroke the cat. No one has done those studies, but I think the risks are extremely small."
She also warns pet owners against using wipes to disinfect their cat. "Some disinfectants, like Dettol, are phenolic and poisonous to cats."
Unless you’re self-isolating or ill, yes - but you can only go out once a day and you must observe the two metre social distance rule. “Avoid busy areas and places where it is difficult to stay away from other dog walkers” says Dr Friel-Russell. “Even on pavements, you can cross the road with your dog to give others space. If you usually let your dog off the lead, try to prevent close contact with other dogs for now, as although it’s low risk, transmission could occur from one coat to another."
The study by Harbin Veterinary Research Institute found that ferrets, which are already being used in vaccine trials for Covid-19, were found to be susceptible.
However, the team concluded that chickens, pigs and ducks are not likely to catch the virus.
The latest medical thinking, according to both the World Organisation for Animal Health and the NHS is no, they can’t. “There are other fairly harmless strains of Corona that pets can catch,” says vet and founder of Animal Trust Owen Monie (animaltrust.org.uk). “These can’t be caught from - or passed onto - humans, and usually show up as a mild tummy upset. But to date, there is no evidence that animals can catch or carry Covid-19.”
If you do develop coronavirus, scrupulous hygiene is vital anyway. To avoid any risk of your dog or cat carrying the virus on its fur, the World Organisation for Animal Health advises hand washing “before and after being around animals, their food, or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing, licking or sharing food.” So no more Whiskas for you, people.
The government advice is that you should not be within two metres of anybody who is not in your household and you should only be going out once a day. Therefore, the best thing to do is to approach with caution, advises vet Dr Katie Friel-Russell, who runs Positive Pet Training (positivepettraining.co.uk).
“Dogs can probably carry the virus on their coat, in the same way your phone could,” she says. “It can be hard not to pet a cute dog but for now, you could throw them a treat, tell them how good they are and move on!”
Ideally, someone else would walk your dog. But most small or medium sized dogs will be OK in the garden for half an hour each day. “Some dogs can find this hard but you can keep them happy at home with sniffing, chewing and playing,” says Dr Friel-Russell. “Even feeding them meals in an empty cereal box rather than a bowl will break up the day for them.” For larger dogs, consider using a trusted dog walker.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/pets/news-features/can-walk-dog-lockdown-pets-coronavirus-advice/
