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CATS and dogs can transmit coronavirus to humans via their fur, Sage experts warn.
Documents published today reveal that the risk of pets spreading Covid-19 to humans is considered 'medium'.
But this risk was 'high' for those with underlying health problems or poor immune systems.
The experts cautioned that there was little data available and for that reason there is a "high level of uncertainty".
In fact, there's a bigger risk of humans giving the virus to their pets in the first place, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) report says.
"Until more information is available on the likely infection status of a companion animal in contact with an infected SARS-CoV-2 patient, we consider the likelihood of exposure to be at most, medium, with a high level of uncertainty," it states.
"There is a strong possibility that the animal could act as a fomite for short periods of time, carrying virus on the fur, which could transfer virus to other members of the household or people in close contact.
"Therefore, we consider this risk of exposure also to be, at most, medium likelihood.
"This likelihood nevertheless is outweighed by that from other infected people in the household."
The experts added: "Cats and dogs are equally susceptible to the virus attaching to host cells, because of the structural similarity of the receptor protein, ACE2, to the human receptor."
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