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The coronavirus in dogs and cats is something that many pet owners are concerned about. After all, they are our closest companions and we’ll do what we can to protect them. While it’s possible for dogs and cats to get the coronavirus, it doesn’t cause the same respiratory issues in them as it does in humans. To put pet owners’ minds at ease, the Centers for Disease Control states that “there is no reason to think that any animals including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus.”
Can dogs catch the coronavirus?
Dogs and cats have a long history with various strains of the coronavirus, including SARS. Both dogs and cats do catch the coronavirus, but it’s important to note that this is not the same type of illness that humans get. The coronavirus in your pet is not going to cause the same respiratory issues that the coronavirus infection would create in you. In other words, there is no evidence that your pet will get sick if infected with COVID-19.
China has recently reported the first case of a dog getting the coronavirus and testing positive due to contact with a human. It is thought to be the first human-to-dog transmission. The dog was tested and is confirmed as a weak positive for the virus; it continued to test positive several days in a row while being kept under quarantine. A weak positive suggests a low-level infection. However, note that, to date, the CDC states that they have “not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19.”
Is there a coronavirus vaccine for dogs?
Dogs can get vaccinated for the coronavirus. There are three potential vaccinations that a healthy dog can get that will help to prevent them from getting the coronavirus. Some of the vaccinations may be combined with other vaccines, such as distemper, or act as a stand-alone vaccine to help prevent the disease caused by a canine coronavirus infection. Talk to your veterinarian if you are concerned and want to get your dog vaccinated.
Can you catch the coronavirus from your dog if he gets infected?
Despite the first presumed instance of a human-to-dog transmission of the coronavirus, experts say there’s no reason to panic. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that pet owners can get sick from their dogs or cats that may be testing positive for the coronavirus.
This has pet owners and parents feeling much better, “I’m happy to find out that the coronavirus isn’t being transmitted from dogs to people,” Melissa Vodehnal, a dog lover and mother of two, told Mom.com. “It was such a relief knowing my kids were still safe being around our dogs and other pets.”
Obviously, pet owners should take precautions if they are sick. Those who have been infected with the coronavirus should refrain from contact with their pets. It’s important to remember that washing your hands after petting your dog or cat and not letting your dog lick your face is important in preventing the spread of the coronavirus in the event that they do test positive for the virus.
Signs your dog is infected with the coronavirus
Dogs may become infected with the coronavirus when they come in contact with the oral secretion or feces from an infected source. Symptoms of coronavirus in your dog that you can look out for include:
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Yellow to orange diarrhea
- Possible fever
- Potential loss of appetite
Dogs that are at the highest risk of contracting coronavirus include puppies and young dogs that haven’t received all of their vaccinations, dogs obtained from places with lots of animals, including shelters and kennels, and dogs that visit communal places, such as dog parks and groomers. If you have more than one pet, it is possible that they could spread the coronavirus among each other.
