The Cats Protection charity has issued advice after a cat in Europe reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.
A cat in Liège, Belgium, is understood to have caught Covid-19 from its owner, who had tested positive previously.
The animal is believed to have developed symptoms about a week after its owner became ill.
It is thought to be the first human-to-cat transmission of coronavirus.
A Cats Protection spokesperson said: "We have recently been made aware of a report from Belgium that a cat owned by a woman with coronavirus (Covid-19) developed symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties and that coronavirus was detected in the cat’s faeces and vomit.
"Luckily the symptoms were transitory. This might be the first possible case of human-to-cat transmission and if so, is extremely rare.
"There is no evidence that cats can transmit COVID-19 to humans and so owners should not worry unnecessarily.
"As a precaution, it is advised that owners should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling their cat and that people who are infected with Covid-19 should be particularly careful by minimising contact with their pet and washing their hands before and after handling."
It is the third reported case of a human-to-animal infection of Covid-19, after officials in Hong Kong claimed two dogs had caught the virus.
A pomeranian died in March after reportedly contracting a ‘low-level’ infection from its 60-year-old owner who tested positive.
The other pet in Hong Kong was a German shepherd living in the Pok Fu Lam area, which did not show any symptoms.
