ALBANY, N.Y. -- As the swine flu continues to spread, we're learning even your pets are at risk from the pandemic. This after a household cat tested positive for the virus.

News 10's Marie Luby explains why even doctors aren't sure what to expect next, and how you can best protect your pets.

"Look at you," coos Karen Kelly to a kitten in the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society's animal shelter. Kelly is here to pick out a cat for a friend, and is devoted to two of her own. "I love them," she says.

Kelly was surprised to hear people could pass H1N1 to pets. The American Veterinary Medical Association confirms a cat in Iowa caught the virus from someone in its household.

"This cat seems to have recovered, but we don't know how other cats are going to respond," says Brad Shear, Executive Director of the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society.

It's the first cat known to test positive for the strain, previously found only in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets. So is a kitty pandemic possible?

"This is all very new, so we don't know necessarily how big an issue that is. Certainly if we had to say, 'No cats in or out, no people in or out,' we can certainly do that," says Shear.

Veterinarian Matthew McDaniel says the Iowa case is unique. "Us giving our pets diseases is actually not very common at all," he says.

So far there's no known cases of humans getting the virus from animals. "From the current information we have right now, I would say that's unlikely," says Dr. McDaniel.

McDaniel says common sense hygiene is the best way to protect your pets if you're feeling sick.

"I would not cough in your pet's face, I would not have your pet sleep with you, I would also just practice good handwashing," McDaniel explains.

Pets can't tell you when they don't feel well, so if they're lethargic, not eating, or not acting themselves, doctors say it's time to see a vet.