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covid-19 doesn't jump from pets to humans, but fur can help spread
don't cough on your pets, keep your outdoor cats in and if you are sick, stay away.
apr 15 2020
3 minute read
keep outdoor cats in and don't cough on your dog. stock/getty
recently, a tiger at the bronx zoo recently tested positive for covid-19, leaving many pet owners concerned that their furry friends may be at risk for getting sick.
dr. ian sandler is a member of the canadian veterinary association’s national issues committee. he says while our understanding of the virus is extensive, covid-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that we’re still learning more about everyday. still, it doesn’t seem likely that your pets will get infected.
“we can say with a very high level of certainty that risks for most domesticated animals is very, very low,” says sandler. he added that there are currently studies underway all over the world in countries like china and germany to see how the virus impacts other animals, with many finding similar results.
looking at common domesticated pets, he says that the risk in some common pets is very low and there haven’t been any issues found in farm animals like chickens and pigs. as of now, there doesn’t appear to be any cases in other household pets like reptiles or rodents although sandler says experts are looking to see whether the virus can impact multiple species.
yet as the case at the bronx zoo points out, tigers are cats and many people live at home with domesticated cats. sandler says that the risk for an average owner for either transmitting or receiving it from their cat is still “essentially very, very low.” he adds that we know that ferrets also seem to be fairly susceptible to the disease, which experts are trying to learn more about.
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sandler says that if you’re coughing or sick, in theory you could be actively shedding the virus and pass it onto your pet. coughing or sneezing directly onto your pet’s fur [or coughing into your hand before touching your pet], could make them become a medium of transport for that virus, passing it onto other people in the household.
while the risk is still low, there are important steps we can take to protect our pets and ourselves. for cats specifically, sandler says that if you have one that likes to go outside, it’s best to keep them in for now. partly because we are still learning about the virus and how it impacts us all. but also because veterinary clinics are deemed essential services across the country, mainly for distribution of critical medication and supplies to pet owners.
“most importantly, and yes they’re there for emergencies, but if you’re letting your cat out to roam around stray animals, wild animals…the last thing you want is for your cat to be at a higher risk for an injury now and having to get to a veterinary hospital now in times where we’re trying to limit travel,” says sandler.
also, if you think you’re pet is sick, don’t assume it’s covid-19. while animals like dogs and cats can get bio infections like respiratory tract infection or kennel cough, it’s best not to rush to conclusions that they caught the virus. “don’t automatically assume that if your dog [for example] is showing signs of coughing or something like that to automatically assume that it’s covid-19,” says sandler.
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many people are staying home either alone or with other family members, leaving us to spend a lot more time with our animals. while doing that, sandler says that it’s important to keep as close to a routine as possible for ourselves and our pets too. you can still take your dog out for a walk, but it’s critical to make sure you’re following proper physical distancing guidelines . “we want you to social distance from other people as well which means social distancing from other pets too,” says sandler.
probably the most important thing we can do is to make sure we’re giving our pets space if we’re ill. if you’re showing symptoms of the virus or have tested positive self isolating is key — and that includes staying away from your pets.
“the problem is that people will self isolate from other family members, but they won’t self isolate from their pets,” says sandler.
though it sounds harsh to stay away, pets are our family. if we want to protect our family, we need to make sure that we’re isolated from them too.
but abiding by proper guidelines helps to make sure both you and your furry friends stay safe, and above all, stay healthy.
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