The Iowa Department of Public Health has documented a confirmed case of H1N1 in a household pet.

A 13 year old indoor cat came down with the strain of flu after two of the three human members of the family got sick. Health officials say it's not completely surprising, since cats have caught other strains of the flu in the past.

They say you protect your pets the same way you would protect the rest of your family: wash your hands, cover your cough and minimize handling your pet while you are sick.