PETS in China are being forced to wear bizarre makeshift face masks by their owners who fear they could catch the deadly coronavirus.

Several worried animal lovers have shared snaps of their pets on Chinese social media wearing the makeshift gear - many of which have been made using human-sized surgical masks.

Read our coronavirus live blog for all the latest news and updates.

7 A cat is taken for a stroll wearing its homemade coronavirus mask Credit: AsiaWire

7 The makeshift masks are made using a human-sized face mask, with eye holes cut in to them Credit: AsiaWire

7 A number of cats have been spotted on Chinese social media wearing the masks Credit: AsiaWire

One cat can be seen being taken for a walk outside while wearing its mask. The safety feature consists of two holes for the cat’s eyes and covers the animal's entire face.

Other cats are given masks which only cover their mouths, leaving their eyes exposed.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said there is no evidence to suggest pets can be infected with the new strain of coronavirus, which has killed more than 1,000 people and infected around 43,000 others worldwide.

However China's National health commission has taken a different stance.

Spokesman and epidemiologist Li Lanjuan said: “If pets go out and have contact with an infected person, they have the chance to get infected.

"By then, pets need to be isolated. In addition to people, we should be careful with other mammals especially pets.”

As a result, sales of pet masks are rocketing in China.

One Beijing-based online retailer said he is selling 10 times the number of special masks for dogs every day than before.

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Some local authorities in China have also ordered citizens to deal with their beloved pets over fears they could contract the coronavirus.

It is feared by some that the airborne Sars-like disease passed from animals to humans, starting in a live-market in Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province.

Researchers at South China Agricultural University also said the virus could have spread through bats to humans through the illegal trafficking of pangolins.

7 The World Health Organisation has not reported any cases of the coronavirus in domestic animals Credit: AsiaWire

7 China's National health commission has advised pet owners to look protect their animals Credit: AsiaWire

7 One cat wears a large pink face mask over its mouth Credit: AsiaWire

7 Another wears a mask which fits neatly over the lower half of its face Credit: AsiaWire

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