Experts have warned pet owners to avoid their cats and dogs if they test positive for the coronavirus, just as they would do with humans.
Research has shown that the virus is common in cats and dogs whose owners have tested positive.
In the study, swabs were taken from 310 pets in 196 households where a human covid infection was detected. Out of the total swabs taken, six cats and seven dogs returned a positive PCR result, whilst 54 animals tested positive for virus antibodies, according to the BBC.
Dr Els Broens from Utrecht University, said. "If you have covid, you should avoid contact with your cat or dog, just as you would do with other people.
"The main concern is not the animals' health but the potential risk that pets could act as a reservoir of the virus and reintroduce it into the human population."
The majority of infected pets, like humans, tend to be asymptomatic or display mild covid symptoms, but despite urging pet owners to avoid their furry friends, they say that no evidence of pet-to-owner transmission had been recorded to date.
Regardless of this, they say it would be difficult to detect whilst the virus was still spreading between humans.
The news comes after a rise covid cases which "very clearly" have a link to Scotland fans travelling to London for the Euro 2020 match against England, a public health expert has said.
If you want to be tested, you can order seven free lateral flow tests here from the governments own website.
You will not be charged for this so please ensure you are on the official gov.uk website before entering any details.
If you have yet to have your vaccine, the Scottish Government announced today (July 2) that walk-in covid vaccination centres will be open in every part of mainland Scotland from Monday July 5.
This means that if you haven't had your first dose yet, your age group hasn't been reached or if you're waiting your second dose - you can get it much quicker than originally planned.
With more than 50% of the population now fully vaccinated, in her speech today, the First Minister said the government were trying to "make this as easy and accessible for as many as possible.
"You can turn up to a drop-in, you can attend your schedule appointment or reschedule your appointment.
"Our biggest vulnerability is that there are still quite a lot of people who don’t have the protection of both doses. We’re vaccinating as quickly as supplies and the timing of second doses allow us to do so."
