Can Pets Get the Coronavirus?

We’ve been in a pandemic for a long time now, enough for us to get used to the strange lifestyle that was brought by this unpredictable scenario. People have been wearing masks, avoiding contact with other individuals as much as they could, and they stopped traveling – partly due to fear, partly due to the restrictions. So, one thing is completely clear – a person can spread COVID-19 to several people if they do not take measures like isolating and treating themselves.

Still, what’s a bit unclear to some people is whether animals can get the coronavirus or not. Pet owners worry that if they get infected, they will put in danger not only their close ones but also their furry friends who make their days better. So, can pets get the coronavirus? Let’s find out!

You probably love your pet more than anything else in the world, and the last thing you would want is for your little ray of sunshine to get infected with the coronavirus. On top of being worried about their condition if they get the virus, you might also think that they will spread the virus to other people and animals.

Is it possible for pets to become infected with the coronavirus? Well, sadly, this can happen. There have been reports of animals carrying the coronavirus, and in most cases, the animal was in contact with a human confirmed to have the virus. Dogs and cats have been confirmed to get infected with COVID-19.

In some countries, there have also been cases of ferrets, mink, large cats, and great apes that were infected with the coronavirus.

Thankfully, the infection is not that serious in their case. In the situations involving animals with the coronavirus, there were either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The issue is that this risks spreading the virus even more and making it harder to contain.

Even though you can get infected after contact with a pet that has COVID-19, the risk is generally pretty low. It’s more likely to catch the virus after contact with humans than contact with pets. When you look at the number of pets that became infected, it’s very low in comparison to the number of people that have the disease.

In reality, very few pets and animals have become infected with SARS-CoV-2. So, the likelihood of getting the virus from them is low.

However, pets might transmit the virus to other pets, especially cats. According to researchers, COVID-19 can replicate in cats and cause symptoms, and the animals can then transfer the virus to other cats through the air.

If you have been infected with the coronavirus or your pet has come in contact with another person who happened to be infected, you should look out for symptoms. Although mild, there are some signs that might occur and thus signal that the coronavirus found your pet to be a good host.

Some possible symptoms include:

• Sneezing or coughing

• Fever

• Lethargy

• Runny nose

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Shortness of breath

• Eye discharge

If you think your pet has coronavirus, the right course of action would be to contact the veterinarian and ask for guidance. Generally speaking, veterinarians should be able to tell you the next steps to take to make sure your pet will be okay.

Veterinarians might offer you advice through the phone so you can treat your pet. You could also take the pet to the vet, but if you have COVID-19 yourself, you should avoid doing it.

Not to mention that you should avoid routine testing for an animal, even if such tests are available. A test at the vet is a better choice if your pet has shown signs of COVID-19.

The risk of getting COVID-19 from a pet is not that high, but that doesn’t mean it’s inexistent. A small chance is still there, and you don’t want to risk it. It’s better to be safe than sorry. That being said, there are some ways you can practice good hygiene around animals, so you don’t get the coronavirus and spread it to other people.

One of the ways germs are spread between animals is through urine and feces. So, you should ensure you clean everything up before another animal comes in contact with them. Pick up after your dog, and also scoop the cat’s litter box. If you have a bird, clean the cage.

After handling an animal, always wash your hands thoroughly to avoid possibly spreading the virus around. Particularly when it comes to pets like birds, rodents, reptiles, and amphibians, which are more likely to spread germs, you should ensure you wash your hands thoroughly. Otherwise, you might spread the virus without realizing it, on top of getting it yourself if you’re not careful.

It’s possible to get scratched or bitten by your pet, either intentionally or while simply playing with them. If this happens, you should run to the closest bathroom and start cleaning the area using warm water and soap. But when the wound is more serious or if the animal has certain symptoms, then you should seek immediate medical attention.

Ensure you keep an infected animal away from another pet until everything is safe. Moreover, keep all the supplies, toys, and the animal’s food away from any areas where you may either prepare food or eat it.

When your pet has coronavirus, the best thing you can do is take care of them as best as you can. There are several things you can do to make sure your animal is going through a successful treatment, but also that your pet feels loved and happy throughout the whole thing.

Your dog may go crazy the moment it hears the word “park”, but for the duration of the treatment, you should refrain from taking it there for the usual walks. Pets might spread the virus to other pets sometimes, or to humans. So, the best thing you could do is keep your pet at home and if you want to give it outdoors time, you can allow it to run free in the backyard. If there’s no backyard, though, you can keep your dog on a leash while walking, but make sure you keep it 6 feet away from others.

Ensure your pet is isolated from other animals or people in your home by keeping it in a separate room or area. Wear a mask while you take care of the pet, and limit contact.

You can still launder the pet’s bedding or stuffed toys, and you can safely do so with the rest of the laundry. You only need to make sure that you use warm water and that you combine it with enough laundry detergent to get rid of the virus.

Disinfect whenever necessary. You should get rid of the pet’s waste and keep the space clean. Even toys or bowls should be cleaned and disinfected. You can do so by using some warm water. Also, it’s mandatory to wash your hands if you handle them without gloves.

Monitor your pet and see if there are any symptoms. There are several scenarios when you should contact your veterinarian. For example, if existent symptoms have gotten worse, if your pet is having trouble breathing, or if there is a new symptom that you noticed recently, you should contact the vet as soon as possible.

Several guidelines should be followed if you are caring for a pet with the coronavirus.

The areas that the pet came in contact with should be cleaned and disinfected. Use warm water combined with disinfectants that could kill COVID-19 from the surfaces.

Even when it comes to caring for an animal, wearing a mask becomes necessary. Put it on before you handle anything related to the pet.

Always wash your hands after you handle the pet, the items it came in contact with or their waste. On top of that, use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent of alcohol.

Wearing gloves is the easiest and safest method to handle your pet’s items or waste. So, stock up on gloves and use them when necessary.

Pets can get the coronavirus by getting in touch with people who have it, so it’s best to know how to avoid spreading it or care for an animal that has the virus.

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