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. 2022 Nov;69(6):4034-4040.
doi: 10.1111/tbed.14713. Epub 2022 Oct 5.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats is associated with contact to COVID-19-positive household members

Marleen M Kannekens-Jager  1 , Myrna M T de Rooij  2 , Yasmina de Groot  1 , Elena Biesbroeck  1 , Marja K de Jong  3 , Tera Pijnacker  3 , Lidwien A M Smit  2 , Nancy Schuurman  1 , Marian J Broekhuizen-Stins  1 , Shan Zhao  1 , Birgitta Duim  1 , Merel F M Langelaar  3 , Arjan Stegeman  2 , Hans S Kooistra  3 , Carien Radstake  4 , Herman F Egberink  1 , Jaap A Wagenaar  1 , Els M Broens  1
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats is associated with contact to COVID-19-positive household members

Marleen M Kannekens-Jager et al. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Several domestic and wild animal species are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Reported (sero)prevalence in dogs and cats vary largely depending on the target population, test characteristics, geographical location and time period. This research assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-positive cats and dogs (PCR- and/or antibody positive) in two different populations. Dogs and cats living in a household with at least one confirmed COVID-19-positive person (household (HH) study; 156 dogs and 152 cats) and dogs and cats visiting a veterinary clinic (VC) (VC study; 183 dogs and 140 cats) were sampled and tested for presence of virus (PCR) and antibodies. Potential risk factors were evaluated and follow-up of PCR-positive animals was performed to determine the duration of virus shedding and to detect potential transmission between pets in the same HH. In the HH study, 18.8% (27 dogs, 31 cats) tested SARS-CoV-2 positive (PCR- and/or antibody positive), whereas in the VC study, SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was much lower (4.6%; six dogs, nine cats). SARS-CoV-2 prevalence amongst dogs and cats was significantly higher in the multi-person HHs with two or more COVID-19-positive persons compared with multi-person HHs with only one COVID-19-positive person. In both study populations, no associations could be identified between SARS-CoV-2 status of the animal and health status, age or sex. During follow-up of PCR-positive animals, no transmission to other pets in the HH was observed despite long-lasting virus shedding in cats (up to 35 days). SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats appeared to be clearly associated with reported COVID-19-positive status of the HH. Our study supports previous findings and suggests a very low risk of pet-to-human transmission within HHs, no severe clinical signs in pets and a negligible pet-to-pet transmission between HHs.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; cats; dogs; households; prevalence; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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