Pet owners across Sydney have been approaching vets and asking for their animals to be put down amid coronavirus fears.

It comes after a dog in Hong Kong tested a weak positive for COVID-19 last week and China has seen shelters overflow with abandoned dogs.

A woman wearing a face mask holds her dog, also wearing a face mask, in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. (EPA)

Dr Sam Kovac said it was "harrowing" to receive calls from people discussing the possibility of euthanising their pets in Australia.

"We didn't put any of the pets down but instead consulted with them and explained there is no evidence the virus is in the Australian dog population and no evidence that dogs can give it back to people," Dr Kovac told 9news.com.au.

Despite there being no evidence suggesting that the virus can transmit from humans to animals, Dr Kovac said it is "theoretically possible" for coronavirus to become a pandemic in dogs.

"Human beings and dogs share a cell receptor protein called ACE2 which is how coronavirus can infect a living being. It's like a lock and a key, we believe this is how the Hong Kong dog caught coronavirus," he said.

"The trouble in Australia is there is no validated test for COVID19 in dogs yet. The labs and processors are working on a test but there is no reliable way to diagnose it in pets right now.

Countries with confirmed coronavirus cases according to WHO. (Graphic: Tara Blancato)

"There really is not enough information to say that coronavirus in pets is a public health risk right now, I think we should be concerned but not alarmed."

Coronavirus in dogs is common and contagious, but Dr Kovac said it is different to COVID-19.

There are tests available for concerned pet owners and a safe vaccine available against dog coronavirus, however, this doesn't offer protection to humans.

How to protect yourself and others from coronavirus (9News)

"Every dog that we did in our leptospirosis vaccination drive was inadvertently immunised against coronavirus," Dr Kovac said.

"But it treats a different type of coronavirus which has been around for decades in dogs which is rampant in the community that doesn't cause any problems to humans."

Dr Kovac said humans are developing a "mass hysteria" towards the virus.

"Absolutely do not consider euthanasia as an option, you'd be mad. If you're considering making the call or signing the form to euthanise your pet, you have no right to own a pet," he said.

The World Health Organisation recommends people wash their hands with soap and water after contact with pets.