The novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 continues to sweep the globe after being officially classified as a pandemic in early 2020. At the time of writing, COVID-19 has infected more than 90 million people worldwide, with nearly two million deaths recorded across the globe.
COVID-19 has been at the forefront of our minds, conversations and actions for nearly one year now and will likely continue to be so for months to come. But what is COVID-19’s role with respect to the health and safety of our pets?
Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and our pets to help you better understand how your dog or cat fits into the equation with regard to this very deadly disease.
Can my pet catch COVID-19?
Short answer: It's not likely.
While a small number of dogs and cats have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 around the world, the risk of your pet contracting this virus is considered at this time to be very low. This virus primarily affects people, and the majority of pets known to have been infected with COVID-19 were in direct contact with an infected pet owner, exhibited mild to no symptoms, and recovered well with little to no treatment.
Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?
Short answer: It's highly unlikely.
While there are other coronaviruses that are highly infectious to dogs or cats, these viruses are very different from COVID-19.
COVID-19 is mainly a disease of people and is usually transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual’s saliva, respiratory secretions or droplets in the air. The likelihood of contracting COVID-19 from a dog or cat is considered at this time to be extremely low.
Can my pet carry COVID-19 on his or her fur?
Short answer: It's possible but the risk is low.
It is known that COVID-19 can survive for a period of time on a variety of surfaces. As such, in theory it is possible for your pet to harbor COVID-19 on their fur if an infected individual coughs, sneezes or otherwise transfers their respiratory secretions onto your pet. While this is not believed to be a leading way for COVID-19 to be transmitted between people, it is still a good practice to treat your pet like any other member of your family. This means limiting your pet’s contact with others who are not living in the same household and maintaining six feet of separation from others when out in public.
In addition, if someone in your household becomes infected with COVID-19, it is advisable not to allow this individual to interact with your pet until they have been deemed no longer infectious.
Do I need to disinfect my pet regularly?
Short answer: No.
Applying substances meant for cleaning or disinfecting surfaces can seriously harm your pet’s fur and skin, and may even result in chemical burns. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the need to disinfect our pets.
If you are worried that your pet may have COVID-19 on his or her fur, for example, after known direct exposure to an infected individual, simply give your pet a bath with a shampoo meant for dogs and cats.
Should my pet wear a mask in public?
Short answer: No.
Since dogs and cats are believed at this time to be at very low risk of contracting COVID-19, it is not advisable to have your pet wear a mask in public. In addition, most pets will not tolerate wearing a mask for an extended period of time and doing so may have a negative impact on your pet’s ability to breathe. This may especially be the case if your pet is brachycephalic (short-snouted) or suffers from a medical condition that already compromises their breathing.
Is there a COVID-19 test for pets?
Short answer: Yes, but it generally is not indicated.
While a COVID-19 test for pets has been developed and is available through several independent laboratories, it is usually not indicated. This is because dogs and cats are believed to be at a very low risk for contracting COVID-19, and there are many other much more common pathogens that can cause COVID-19-like symptoms in our pets. Simply put, if your pet appears to be ill, it’s most likely not COVID-19 causing their illness.
If you believe your pet is sick, have him or her evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for pets?
Short answer: Not at this time.
Since our pets are believed to be at a low risk of contracting COVID-19, there is currently no vaccine in development for dogs or cats.
Evidently, COVID-19 is a deadly virus and much work still needs to be done to contain its spread worldwide. Thankfully, however, COVID-19 is not believed to cause significant disease in our cats or dogs at this time.
We hope this article answered your questions regarding COVID-19 and your pets and put your mind at ease regarding the level of risk that this virus poses to our cats and dogs.
During these difficult times, we encourage you to hug your pets a little bit closer, and continue to be there for your loved ones; not physically, but emotionally nonetheless.
