One cat died after apparently contracting COVID-19 from owner: study

One kitten in the United Kingdom died after contracting the coronavirus from its owner, according to a study published in Veterinary Records. 

Researchers in the study found two cats that were infected with the coronavirus by their owners. One of the cats, who was just four months old, developed breathing issues and needed to be put down, Forbes reported. 

The cats were two different breeds from separate households and were found during a coronavirus screening in the U.K. 

Researchers say the animals could be a “viral reservoir,” or a carrier for the disease, although there is no evidence so far that domestic animals can spread the virus to their owners.

Professor Margaret Hosie, the lead author of the study, said it underscores the need to do more research on the different kinds of transmission for the coronavirus, according to Forbes.

The news from the U.K. comes after various cases of the coronavirus in domestic pets have cropped up in the U.S.

One dog in North Carolina died from the coronavirus in August.