A research study conducted by the Centre for Genomic Regulation found that the animals that are most susceptible to infection by the novel coronavirus are ferrets and cats.

Owners of pet ferrets and cats should be aware that after humans, ferrets and cats are most at risk of contracting the virus.

These findings explain why we’ve been seeing news stories about big cats at zoos and commercially farmed minks being found to have the virus.

The researchers note that while our pets may be at some risk of getting the virus from us, there are no known cases of people being infected by their pets.

The study looked at a total of 10 animal species and found that several we keep as pets or farm animals have no known cases.  They are:

• Mice
• Rats
• Pigs
• Chickens
• Ducks

What about dogs?  Along with humans, cats, ferrets, and civets (a small mammal with a catlike appearance), there have been some documented cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs.

Dogs are considerably less susceptible than cats and ferrets, but it’s a good idea for all pet owners to practice the same common sense safety measures they use with other humans if they test positive for Covid.

Check out a summary of the study on the phys.org website.

To learn more about how to keep your pets safe should you become infected, check out the American Veterinary Association’s Covid FAQs for pet owners webpage.