The team, at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China, found that cats are highly susceptible to Covid-19 and appear to be able to transmit the virus through respiratory droplets to other cats.Experts said the findings were credible, but that they did not indicate cats were an important vector in spreading the disease between humans.

Pet owners across the glove started panicking when a 17-year-old Pomeranian tested 'weakly' positive for Coronavirus in China; the dog died three days after returning home.Like Twinkle Khanna said, please do not abandon your pets for the fear of getting Coronavirus from them.

If adopting or fostering isn't something you can do, the organization recommends donating supplies to both animal shelters and other organizations like human food banks.Similar to HSUS' recommendations, Lacey suggests reaching out to your local shelters to see if they need help fostering or adopting animals.

The Pomeranian, 17, was quarantined at a government facility in Hong Kong last month after being believed to have caught coronavirus from its owner, Yvonne Chow Hau Yee, 60.

People have been kitting their pets out in masks (which is not necessary) (Picture: REUTERS/Aly Song)‘That said, there are numerous strains of coronavirus that affect animals: canine coronavirus (CCV), which is highly contagious amongst dogs , and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which is an illness that can manifest from coronavirus infection in cats.

Canine coronavirus can pass through infected bowls (Picture: AFP/Getty Images) The virus passed between dogs is completely different to the strain rapidly spreading between humans (Picture: EPA)Although it is not fatal it can cause gastroenteritis-type symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea in animals who pick it up.