Pets and the Pandemic
A Q&A for Humans
In July, a two-year-old North Texas dog became the fifth U.S. canine to test positive for COVID-19, following other confirmed cases in New York and Georgia. The dog remains healthy and was only tested as a precautionary measure after its people were confirmed positive. Still, it’s understandable that worried humans have questions. Here’s what the experts say on pets and the pandemic. Of course, like all pandemic news, this is subject to change so stay tuned.
What are the chances of my pet contracting COVID-19? In a word, miniscule. Besides the five dogs mentioned above, just five cats, one lion and one tiger have tested positive for COVID-19 in the U.S. to date. With an estimated 89.7 million pet dogs and 95.6 million pet cats living in U.S. households, the chances of your animal companion contracting coronavirus are vanishingly small. Further, a study of domestic pets found that dogs are even less susceptible to the disease than cats and other animals.
Should I get my pet tested? No. The Center for Disease Controls (CDC) does not recommend routine COVID-testing for animals. Just take a deep breath and find something else to worry about - god knows there’s plenty.
Can my dog contract COVID-19 from another dog – or give it to me? Not likely. “To date, there is no evidence that dog-to-dog or dog-to-person transmission of the virus is a likely mechanism for [virus] spread, especially in the outdoor environment…,” says Dr. Deb Zoran, a professor at Texas A&M’s renowned College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Services. According to Dr. Zoran, there’s no need to avoid taking your canine companion on walks or to the dog park as long as all the human guardians wear masks and practice social distancing.
Should I avoid contact with my pet if I come down with COVID-19? Yes. The CDC strongly recommends that humans testing positive for COVID avoid contact with their pets including “petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food or sleeping in the same bed.” Ideally, you should have a trusted friend or family member who can take over pet care while you’re recovering. Pet owners with COVID-19 who must care for a pet should wear a mask and wash their hands thoroughly before and after interacting with their furry family member.
Who will care for my pet if I have to be hospitalized? Dr. Zoran strongly recommends that humans plan ahead and identify a trusted individual to care for their fur-bearing friends in the event they become infected and wind up in the hospital. “If a person with COVID-19 requires hospital care and has a pet living with them, and there is no one else to take care of the pet, the pet will have to live in a temporary shelter or veterinary hospital and be quarantined for 14 days,” Zoran said. Of course, everyone hopes to stay healthy, but it’s best to be prepared. Please give some thought to your designated pet caregiver just to be on the safe side.
Sources: forbes.com, vetmed.tamu.edu