Veterinarians have been noticing an uptick in the number of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) cases in pet dogs and cats, which has been making news recently.

Investigation into these cases has shown that in many instances, this heart condition in pets developed after contact with owners who tested positive for Covid infection.

A study published in the journal Veterinary Record studied cats and dogs in the UK that were diagnosed with myocarditis. Testing found that several of these pets were infected with the B.1.1.7 variant of the virus.

Many of the owners had developed respiratory symptoms and were diagnosed with Covid around 3 to 6 weeks before their pets became ill.

The researchers also found that many of the pets experienced “acute onset of cardiac disease” without showing respiratory symptoms.

This research, combined with recent news of several big cats in zoos dying from Covid, can be worrying for pet owners.

The CDC recommends that if you test positive for Covid, you should limit contact with your pets, just as you would do with people:

They advise:

If you are sick with COVID-19 (either suspected or confirmed by a test), you should avoid contact with your pets and other animals, just like you would with people. Contact includes petting, snuggling, kissing, licking, sharing food, and sleeping in the same bed.

Since pets (cats in particular) are susceptible to coronavirus infection, prevention measures are important to keep them safe and healthy.