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Getting reliable information about Covid-19
continues to be difficult. With the current knowledge from science,
the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has issued this information
about you, your pets and Covid.
What you need to know:
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A
small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have
been reported to be infected with the virus that causes
COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.
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Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of
animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.
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It
appears that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from
people to animals in some situations.
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Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let
pets interact with people outside the household.
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If
a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person
from everyone else, including pets.
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This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be
updated as it becomes available.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some
coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others
cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels,
and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline
coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect humans.
Risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to pets
We are still learning about the virus that causes COVID-19, but it
appears that it can spread from people to animals in some
situations. A small number of pets worldwide, including cats and
dogs, have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes
COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.
Infected pets might get sick or they might not have any symptoms. Of
the pets that have gotten sick, most only had mild illness and fully
recovered.
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 What to do if you own pets
Until we learn more about how this virus affects
animals, treat pets as you would other human family members to
protect them from a possible infection.
Because there is a risk that people with COVID-19 could spread the
virus to animals, CDC recommends that pet owners limit their pet’s
interaction with people outside their household.
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Keep cats indoors when possible and do not let them roam freely
outside.
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Walk dogs on a leash at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from
others.
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Avoid public places where a large number of people gather.
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Do
not put a mask on pets. Masks could harm your pet.
There is no evidence that the virus can spread to
people from the skin, fur, or hair of pets. Do not wipe or bathe
your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or
other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or
other industrial or surface cleaners. Talk to your veterinarian if
you have questions about appropriate products for bathing or
cleaning your pet.
Talk to your veterinarian if your pet gets sick or if you have any
concerns about your pet’s health.
[LDN and CDC Dec. 11, 2020]
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