Pets and COVID-19

Pets and COVID-19

Is there anything to worry about?

Coronaviruses, such as COVID-19, make up a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses start in animals and can transfer to humans, but this is rare. However, it could make you wonder if your pet could get infected or even infect you. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there is no evidence that companion animals, like your dog or cat, can spread COVID-19 and they haven’t received any reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19.

So everything is ok, right? Well, yeah, however, there are some generally good tips on how to stay healthy around pets.

1. Wash your hands. Do this before you handle your pet and most definitely after. Keep yourself safe. Keep your pet safe. This is especially important for children with pets.

2. Clean up after your pets properly. Practice good hygiene. Scoop litter boxes regularly. Scoop the dog poop too. Then repeat step 1.

3. Make sure your pet sees the veterinarian regularly. A vet is specially trained to pick up on less obvious cues when a pet is sick or unhealthy. So when the threat of COVID-19 has passed, make an appointment so they can keep your pet up to date on vaccinations and parasite control. No need to share the bed with germs and worms.

What if you are sick with COVID-19 and have pets? If you are sick, it’s best to have another household member care for your pet and allow you to stay isolated and have time to recover. If you must care for your own pets, it’s best to wash your hands before and after handling and even wear a face mask while interacting with them. From what we know, there’s no evidence that pets can spread COVID-19 or get sick from it, however, it’s best to take extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.

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