There is much debate surrounding whether animals can spread the coronavirus disease. The current consensus appears to be that while animals may be able to contract the virus, they are not thought to be capable of passing it on to humans.
There have been a handful of reports of pets, including cats and dogs, testing positive for the virus in China. However, it is not clear how these animals became infected and there is no evidence that they played any role in spreading the disease to people. In fact, most experts believe that human-to-human transmission is responsible for the vast majority of cases.
That said, it is still important to take precautions with your animal companions if you are sick with coronavirus disease. It’s a good idea to avoid close contact with them as much as possible and to wash your hands thoroughly after any interaction. If you must care for them while you are sick, wear a face mask and gloves. And be sure to clean and disinfect all surfaces that your pet comes into contact with on a regular basis.