Kitten won’t stop licking me & I’m ill (with Covid)

[MrD20]

Hi all. Hope you & cats are all well. Sorry to bring Covid onto this blissfully Covid free section of MN.

Some of you may remember Dennis the 14 week old tabby kitten who loves laptops.

I’ve recently tested positive for Covid unfortunately (I work in healthcare so I’m sure I picked it up at work). Currently Self isolating. Dennis being the cute kitten he is (and I’m sure they can sense when you need a friend) is clingy 24/7 and continuing his usual habit of waking me up every morning with rigorous face licking.

I have googled to the moon and back and I know there is hardly any evidence based research that cats can catch Covid in any form but I’m just so paranoid of him being close to my face, surely it can’t be good for him with any illness (regular flu, cold etc) to be licking me?! He’s up to date on all vaccinations.

As a result we are (literally) now in a game of cat and mouse where I’m trying to hide my face under the covers and avoid the licking (which obviously has now turned into a fun game as you can imagine...)

Am I just being super paranoid or does anyone else have these worries when unwell?! TIA x

Aw bless him! He sounds adorable. Hope you are keeping well - how many days into covid are you? They say you are mainly contagious up to 5days before symptoms even start and a few days in, so in all likelihood you probably aren’t contagious now anyway and I’m sure your kitten probably locked you on the days you were before you even knew. There is little evidence to suggest animals can pick this up but I would just watch him carefully for any signs of being unwell and contact your vet should you need to. If you don’t like him licking your face, gently discourage him by tapping his nose and move him to your side instead. He sounds like a lovely loving kitty, purrrfect! Hope you feel better soon! 💐

*licked

I think cats can catch Covid. Some big cats of some sort did in a zoo.
Dogs can't though I dont think

Are you letting him out? I'm guessing not as he's so little (and he is utterly gorgeous!)? I recall reading some 'cats as vectors' stories earlier this year and I think they got a PCR positive test from a cat on the continent somewhere - but if they were getting sick from it I'm certain we would have heard about it. I'd just let him snuggle you - I bet he's a real comfort. Get well soon

I think my cat had covid back in March. ,she died on lockdown day. I don't want to worry you. We took her to the vets and they tested for loads of stuff but found nothing. ,we then took her to a specialist vet but she died there 2 hours later basically gasping for breath. then later I read that some cats had tested positive. she was about 10 (I miss her :(

Oh gosh. Thank you guys. So sorry to hear about your lovely cat @theresagiantonthebeach . Dennis is such a sweetheart & such a comfort at the moment especially now I’m stuck indoors but it’s just a worry! The only information I could find from a reputable source was this:

www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/coronavirus/faqs-about-coronavirus-covid-19-and-cats

Which says to discourage licking. So I think to be on the safe side I may try and boop him away whenever he goes to lick and continue to wash my hands religiously. Bless him x

@vanitythynameisnotwoman he’s not quite ready to go out yet unfortunately! So lots of playtime in the house instead! I think Dennis is enjoying everyone being around. My partner who is isolating with me is usually here all day as he works from home but I’m normally in work all day. Dennis likes the gang all being here x

@Beconase20 thank you so much I am day 5!

Cats can get it but it's rare. There was a couple tigers that caught it (not exactly a house cat I know). They had mild symptoms. Ferrets can catch it too.

Do you use a particular facecream or wash that he maybe likes the taste of?

Maybe just use plain soap for a while and see if that discourages him?

Can you sleep in a separate room and leave Dennis with his dad overnight?.

I did read once that they don’t like citrus so I may try and put some citrus face wash on!

@Fluffycloudland77 yes I think they may need to be the plan from tonight :( I’m already in the spare room as my partner hasn’t developed any symptoms so trying to avoid him in the house.
However I think I’m cramping Dennis’s style as this is where he usually sleeps on the fluffy blanket! So tonight I think I’ll close this door and let him wander into his Dad’s room!

He’s such a nosy boy just loves being involved (pic attached) x

I had Covid and Snorg was all over me. Cheddar was not a good nurse cat. They didn't have any ill effects from it. But Dennis is welcome to come and live with me if you are worried. hope you feel better soon.

He can have my old laptop all to himself

Ps. Do you really expect him to behave when you called him Dennis?

@Toddlerteaplease hahaha you may be begging for us to take him back after a few days!! He really does live up to his name (menace) but we wouldn’t have him any other way! Thank you - good to know all was well with you & your cats - hope you’re feeling well now!