Everything you need to know about coronavirus and pets

Current advice from the World Health Organisation is that there’s no evidence that pets can be a source of infection or that they can become sick from coronavirus. At the moment, there is no evidence that companion animals can spread coronavirus.

New information on COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Several dogs have been quarantined and tested for coronavirus. As of the 26th of March, two dogs in Hong Kong, both owned by people that were sick from COVID-19 were found to have virus in their mouth and nose tested as “weakly positive”. Neither dog developed signs of sickness. At this time there is no evidence to suggest that dogs can get sick from coronavirus or that they can be a source of infection for humans, as they cannot replicate and transmit COVID-19. However, we should always keep sanitary measures, such as washing our hands before and after we spend time with our animals or touch their belongings.

Although we love our pets, kissing them is never a good idea. Both dogs and cats, as we do, carry bacteria in their mouths that can cause diseases. Some dogs like to be hugged, some others don’t. Please don’t hug dogs or cats that look uncomfortable or scared, as they will suffer from stress and may bite. This is especially important for children, as they cannot read dog or cat behaviour as adults can. If you wish to pet them, you can do so, but do wash your hands before and after petting, walking, feeding them, as this will eliminate any microbes from your hands, including coronavirus, if it has come into contact with you or your pet.

Although there have been no reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. This can help ensure both you and your animals stay healthy. There is still much to be learned about COVID-19 and more information will become available as the time passes. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following: “You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.” Please check for new updates on CDC’s website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/animals.html

There is no evidence at this time that pets can be a source of infection of coronavirus. Therefore, there is no need to quarantine your pet if you are sick. However, the CDC does recommend that “... people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.” Please check for new updates on CDC’s website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/animals.html

Dogs and cats can get sick from many things. There is no evidence at this time that your pet can get sick from COVID-19. However, if your dog or cat develops an unexplained disease or comes into contact with someone infected with the coronavirus, talk to your veterinary and/or public health officials. This official may advise you to take your pet to a veterinarian. Inform your vet beforehand so that they can prepare. Do not take your pet to the vet unless you are instructed to do so.

No. There is no evidence that dogs or cats can transmit COVID-19 to people or get sick from it. Putting masks on them can interfere with their breathing and cause them stress. Flat-faced breeds (pugs, bulldogs, etc), which already have laboured breathing, can suffer from heatstroke with a mask.

The most important thing is that you follow any rules and regulations as set by your government with regards to leaving the house and keeping safe. If you can still leave your house and you are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, you can still walk your dog. There is no evidence that dogs can get sick from or transmit COVID-19 to us. The virus cannot be transmitted through feces either. However, it is of utmost importance, both for public health and respecting our communities, that you pick up your dog’s waste and discard it responsibly. Do ensure to wash your hands every time before and after you interact with your dog and its belongings and make sure to sanitise all surfaces in your house.

Dogs and cats will continue to need physical activity. Therefore, you should keep the time allotted for walking to carry out physical activity, but you should replace the walk with play. For example: a ball game in the garden or if you live in an apartment, you can create new games with new toys or you can try to enrich the environment with hidden treats so that your dog does not get bored. In the case of cats, it is important to give them vertical structures that they can climb.

The current canine coronavirus vaccines available are made to protect against enteric (digestive system) coronavirus infection (CCoV) and are not licensed to protect against respiratory infections. There is no evidence that the canine coronavirus vaccine will provide cross-protection against an infection with COVID-19 in animals. Therefore, the canine coronavirus vaccine will do nothing for COVID-19.

Do ensure that somebody can take care of your animal if you are hospitalised. Some dogs and cats may become nervous, anxious, and even aggressive if they feel unsafe at a new place, so it would be better for somebody to feed and play with them in the pet´s own home. However, during a lockdown, the best thing to do is to have someone (preferably an individual the animal is already familiar with) take the pet to a new temporary home where it will be better taken care of.

You must follow the recommendation of the Vet council or City council of your region or country. You can substitute walks with dogs and take care of them inside the house, playing and giving activities to ensure that they exercise and maintain their routines as close to their normal ones. Animal caretakers, like all people, should follow sanitary recommendations including washing hands, social distancing, coughing/sneezing appropriately, disinfecting surfaces. Proper handwashing before and after interacting with animals is vital.

Like with pets, there is no evidence that free roaming (stray or community) dogs and cats can get sick from COVID-19 or spread the disease to people. If you come into contact with a community dog or cat, however, make sure to wash your hands after, as this will remove all sorts of microbes, including COVID-19 if it has found its way onto the animal's fur.

However, some community dogs/cats may unnecessarily suffer during this pandemic. People that were feeding them might need to stay home or be in lockdown. Also, despite evidence that dogs and cats do not transmit the disease, they might be abandoned or even culled due to fear. Culling roaming dogs is not only inhumane, but also ineffective in eliminating dog mediated zoonotic diseases. Rabies is an example of this. Killing dogs undermines vaccination efforts where turnover is high and is unethical when mass dog vaccination is proven to work. Let´s not make coronavirus another example of cruel and ineffective measures.

Some roaming dogs and cats might be the responsibility of your local government, or local animal volunteers. Do get into contact with them before going out to feed community animals. If your government still allows for you to leave your house and you have the opportunity to feed dogs and cats, follow the sanitary recommendations of your country and any laws that have been set in place to prevent the spreading of coronavirus. If you believe that you are sick from coronavirus, do not go out. If you cannot go out, it is possible to leave food and water directly on your doorstep where dogs/cats can find it.

Some dogs and cats might be suffering from hunger and thirst, especially if they have gone for days without eating, which might make them desperate and potentially aggressive. Take measures to ensure that you are not accidentally bitten by them, especially if you are carrying food, and follow our 5 tips for the prevention of dog bites. Do not let children feed dogs.

No. There is no evidence that dogs or cats can transmit COVID-19 to people or get sick from it. There has been no case in the world of COVID-19 transmitting from a stray dog or cat to humans.

It is possible for your pet to bring viruses back into the house if COVID-19 is present on the street - because an infected person has coughed or spit on the street. The same happens with your shoes, which is why it is recommended to have “street shoes”, and change to “house shoes” as soon as you get home. You may want to wash your pets paws with pet safe soap and water after each walk. Do not use alcohol or household disinfectants on animals, as it can harm their skin. Daily bathing is not recommended for dogs or cats, but follow instructions on the animal shampoo bottle and keep them clean and well-groomed on a daily basis.

It is unfortunate that due to misplaced fear, people abandon animals or even euthanise them. As we have mentioned, there is no evidence that dogs or cats can get sick from COVID-19 or spread the disease to humans. The best way to prevent the disease is hand washing, responsible coughing/sneezing, wiping surfaces with disinfectant, and social distancing. Abandoning or killing animals causes suffering to the animals, feeds a cycle of misplaced panic, is cruel and unethical, and does not resolve the pandemic.

Pets have been shown to be a great company and may even decrease stress levels and suicidal tendencies, something that can be extremely positive during a pandemic lockdown. We highly recommend all pet owners take care of their animals and keep calm. Abandonment should not be an option in any circumstance. Be a responsible owner, continue giving love, care and attention to your pet, but avoid kissing your pets and wash your hands before and after coming into contact with your pets and their belongings.