Is the news that COVID-19 can spread to animals, a tiger for example, true or intended to further discourage humans who treasure their companion animals? What about house cats?

House cats can become infected and carry the virus. The transmission to human will be possible because of their grooming behavior, licking their fur, and so petting the cat could transfer the virus to the mucus membranes by the fingers and result in transmission. But the likelihood of a cat getting the virus is extremely low unless someone in the household already has the virus and spreads it to the cat. So in most cases, the cat will be last on the list to be exposed and infected, but it is strictly true that if someone is found to be harboring the virus within a household, all members should self-quarantine and that should be true for the cats as well and minimal human contact with them take place. This could be done through wearing of gloves and restricting, if possible, their movements so one does not find them in the lap or being rubbed against unexpectedly as they are wont to do.