Research overview: why felids are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2: ACE2 receptor biology

Cats are notably permissive to SARS-CoV-2, a susceptibility rooted in the structure of their ACE2 receptor, which the viral spike protein binds efficiently. This overview surveys comparative studies of ACE2 across species that predicted and explained felid vulnerability, alongside experimental confirmation of efficient replication and transmission in cats. It considers why some species bind the virus well while others resist, how receptor compatibility shapes host range, and what this means for wild felids potentially exposed through humans. The synthesis links molecular structure to epidemiological risk, helping explain natural infections in domestic cats and zoo big cats alike. It aims to give readers the receptor-level reason behind the recurring finding that the cat family is among the more coronavirus-susceptible mammalian groups.