If you’ve tested positive lately and your cat won’t leave your side, you might be wondering whether that closeness is a problem. Cats can and do catch SARS-CoV-2, most often from their owners, but serious illness in cats remains extremely rare. The latest research, including a Cornell University study published in October 2025, confirms that infected cats typically show mild or no symptoms at all. Here’s what the science says about risks, symptoms, and what to do if your household includes both a sick human and a curious cat.

4 related posts

Pets Infected Worldwide: Cats and dogs, mostly from owners – CDC · Cat Susceptibility: Most susceptible domestic animal – UCD · Transmission to Humans: Rare from pets – AVMA · Symptoms in Cats: Mild or none usually – Mayo Clinic · Pet-to-Pet Spread: Limited evidence – AVMA

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Long-term health effects in cats that recover from infection
  • Precise fatality statistics for cats globally — data remain limited
  • Whether vaccination status in cats affects susceptibility or outcomes
3Timeline signal
  • Oct 7, 2025: Cornell study confirmed owner-to-cat transmission patterns from 2020-2021 data (Cornell University News)
  • 2021: German household study showed 42.5% seroprevalence in cats from COVID homes (PMC/NIH)
  • Pre-2024: Rare Thailand case marked the only documented cat-to-human spread (CDC Animals and COVID-19)
4What’s next
  • Monitor your cat if someone in the home has COVID
  • Isolate from your cat as you would from other household members
  • Contact your vet if your cat shows respiratory signs — but odds of severe illness remain low

The table below summarizes the key facts about COVID-19 in cats, drawn from major health and veterinary sources.

Key fact What we know
Cat Infection Source Mostly owners with COVID – CDC
Severity in Cats Mild or asymptomatic – Mayo Clinic
Pet-to-Human Risk Rare even close contact – AVMA
Susceptible Species Cats highest among pets – UCD
NYC Cat Infection Rate (Overall) 16% antibody positive June 2020 – May 2021 – Cornell
NYC Cat Peak Infection Rate 44% antibody positive fall 2020 – Cornell
German Household Seroprevalence 42.5% in cats from COVID households – PMC/NIH
Risk Multiplier: More Infected Humans OR 2.00 — higher household infection count increases cat risk – PMC/NIH
Risk Multiplier: Contact Intensity OR 2.54 — above-average owner contact increases seropositivity – PMC/NIH
Serious Illness Frequency Extremely rare – CDC

How do I tell if my cat has COVID?

Spotting COVID in cats starts with knowing what to watch for — and, crucially, understanding that most infected cats show nothing at all. The Cornell study published October 2025 found that out of hundreds of New York City cats sampled between June 2020 and May 2021, only two displayed respiratory signs, despite many having measurable antibody evidence of infection. The CDC’s guidance is straightforward: if someone in your household has tested positive, assume your cat may have been exposed and monitor accordingly.

Common signs in infected cats

  • Fever, typically low-grade
  • Cough or mild respiratory difficulty
  • Lethargy — your cat sleeping more than usual
  • Sneezing, runny nose, or eye discharge
  • Vomiting or diarrhea in some cases
Why this matters

Most cats that caught SARS-CoV-2 from their owners during the early pandemic showed zero symptoms. The Cornell researchers noted that cats “caught coronavirus from their owners during the early pandemic” — and most handled it without fanfare.

Differences from other illnesses

These symptoms overlap with many common cat ailments, from upper respiratory infections to dietary issues. The key signal is recent human COVID in the household. If no one has been sick, COVID is an unlikely culprit. Your veterinarian can run tests to confirm, though testing is typically reserved for cats with clear exposure history and symptoms.

The implication: don’t assume your cat has COVID based on vague signs alone, but do take it seriously if your cat shows respiratory symptoms shortly after a household member’s diagnosis.

What symptoms do cats with COVID have?

When symptoms do appear, they tend to be mild — think of it as your cat catching a bad cold that runs its course in a week or two. Mayo Clinic guidance notes that pets rarely become seriously ill with COVID-19, and most infected cats recover without intervention.

Respiratory and GI signs

The GoodRx pet health review lists fever, cough, difficulty breathing, lack of energy, sneezing, runny nose, eye discharge, vomiting, and diarrhea among reported symptoms. Not every cat gets every sign — some get one or two, others get none.

Severity levels

Most cases fall into the mild category. Severe illness is extremely rare, per CDC Pets and COVID-19 guidance. When it does occur, it tends to involve cats with pre-existing health conditions, older cats, or those with compromised immune systems. The GoodRx experts note that pets with chronic diseases like diabetes face higher susceptibility.

The upshot

Cats are more susceptible to COVID-19 than dogs, according to veterinary research, but the gap in outcomes is negligible — both species typically recover without complications.

What this means: the average indoor cat who catches SARS-CoV-2 from an owner will likely show no signs or mild discomfort for a few days. Serious illness, while possible, is the exception — not the rule.

Is COVID fatal to cats?

The short answer: fatal cases in cats are exceptionally uncommon. CDC officials have stated that while pets can get serious illness from SARS-CoV-2, this outcome remains extremely rare, and there is no need to consider euthanasia for infected pets, per CDC guidance. The Mayo Clinic confirms that most infected cats recover uneventfully.

Fatality rates

Official fatality statistics for cats specifically are limited. What researchers have is infection data, seroprevalence studies, and reported outcomes — and across all of these, deaths form a tiny minority. The Cornell study of NYC cats found high antibody rates but documented only mild respiratory signs in the rare symptomatic cases, with no fatalities reported.

Factors increasing risk

  • Pre-existing health conditions (diabetes, heart disease, respiratory issues)
  • Advanced age
  • Compromised immune system
  • Multiple infected household members — the German study showed each additional infected person raised cat risk (OR 2.00)
  • High contact intensity with owners during illness — above-average contact increased seropositivity odds to 2.54

The catch: while the risk factors are identifiable, the baseline risk of severe outcomes for healthy cats remains very low. Most owners have little to fear.

Can my cat get sick from me having COVID?

Yes — and the data on this is clear. The CDC confirms that SARS-CoV-2 can spread from people to animals including pet cats during close contact, and pets worldwide have been infected mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. CDC Animals and COVID-19 explicitly recommends that people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 avoid contact with pets including cats.

Owner-to-pet spread

The Cornell study provided the strongest recent evidence: researchers documented that cats caught coronavirus from their owners during the early pandemic, with 16% of NYC cats showing antibodies overall and 44% during the fall 2020 peak. A German household study found 42.5% seroprevalence in cats living with COVID patients. The pattern is consistent: infected owners are the primary source.

What to watch

The more infected people in your household, the higher the odds your cat gets infected too. German researchers calculated that each additional infected household member roughly doubled a cat’s infection risk.

Prevention steps

  • Maintain distance from your cat while you’re symptomatic, if possible
  • Avoid cuddling, sharing food, or letting your cat sleep on your bed during illness
  • Have another household member care for your cat if available
  • Wash hands before and after handling your cat or its food
  • Wear a mask around your pet if you must interact closely

The implication: your cat’s risk rises with your contact intensity. If you’ve been home sick with COVID, assume your cat has been exposed — monitor for symptoms, but don’t panic.

Will my cat survive COVID?

For the overwhelming majority of cats, the prognosis is excellent. Mayo Clinic experts confirm that most pets including cats recover with supportive care, and AVMA veterinary guidance notes that transmission from pets to people is rare even with close contact. The verdict from multiple sources is clear: cat owners should not be alarmed at this time, as Dr. Erin Katribe of Best Friends Animal Society put it.

Recovery expectations

Most infected cats recover within 1-2 weeks. Symptoms, when present, are typically mild and resolve on their own. The Cornell study found that most NYC cats were asymptomatic and recovered without intervention. Veterinary epidemiologists confirm there’s no evidence pets transmit COVID-19 to humans at meaningful rates.

Vet care needs

Most cats don’t need veterinary treatment for COVID. However, contact your vet if your cat shows persistent fever, difficulty breathing, lethargy lasting more than a few days, or if your cat has pre-existing health conditions. Your vet can assess whether supportive care or additional monitoring is warranted.

Bottom line: Cats are susceptible to catching SARS-CoV-2 from their owners, and serious illness in cats remains extremely rare. Most infected cats recover uneventfully at home. The best approach for cat owners: isolate from your cat during illness, monitor for symptoms, and call your vet if anything concerning develops — but the odds strongly favor a full recovery.

“The risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered low.”

— CDC, US Health Authority

“"The verdict is clear, cat owners should not be alarmed at this time."”

— Dr. Erin Katribe, Medical Director, Best Friends Animal Society

Related reading: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Symptoms · Atorvastatin Uses and Side Effects

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Frequently asked questions

Is COVID contagious to your pets?

Yes — SARS-CoV-2 spreads from people to pets, with cats being particularly susceptible. The CDC confirms that companion animals including pet cats have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, primarily through close contact with infected owners.

Can dogs and cats get the COVID-19 virus?

Both dogs and cats can be infected. Research shows cats are more susceptible than dogs, but both species typically experience mild or no symptoms when infected. AVMA confirms cats and dogs are the primary domestic animals infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Will my cat be okay if I have COVID?

Most likely, yes. The risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2 to people is low, and the risk of your cat becoming seriously ill from exposure to you is extremely low. Monitor your cat for symptoms, but current evidence from CDC, Mayo Clinic, and Cornell research points to mild outcomes for most infected cats.

Can my dog get COVID from me?

Dogs can catch SARS-CoV-2 from infected owners, but they appear less susceptible than cats. When dogs do become infected, they typically show mild symptoms or none at all, similar to cats.

Can dogs get COVID and die?

Fatal outcomes in dogs are exceptionally rare. While serious illness from SARS-CoV-2 is possible in pets, CDC guidance states it is extremely rare, and euthanasia is not recommended for infected animals.

What symptoms do cats with COVID have?

Symptoms can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, lethargy, sneezing, runny nose, eye discharge, vomiting, and diarrhea — though many infected cats show no symptoms at all. Mayo Clinic confirms most pets have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic.

Can cats get COVID from their owners?

Yes. The evidence is consistent: 44% of NYC cats had antibodies during the fall 2020 human surge, 42.5% of German cats from COVID households were seropositive, and researchers confirmed cats caught coronavirus from their owners during the early pandemic.