COVID-19 and Pet Health Safety (with Infographic)

By Dr. Jamie Whittenburg

Health
are your pets at risk with coronavirus

Can your pet die from COVID-19?

If you’ve asked yourself this question, you can rest assured you’re in good company. Every month, thousands of pet parents turn to Google to find the answer to this question. They also ask questions like, “Can dogs get COVID?” or “What symptoms of COVID in dogs should I look out for?” or “Can cats get COVID?”

It makes sense that you’re curious to learn more about how COVID-19 may impact your pet’s health. After all, the pandemic has completely transformed the way in which we live our lives. We’ve had to rethink our typical behaviors in order to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

So how exactly do we keep our pets safe? One of the best things pet owners can do is arm themselves with up-to-date information on COVID-19 and pets.

Obviously at Pet News Daily we’ve invested significantly in a number of resources to help keep your pet healthy, such as: our dog size calculator, goldendoodle size chart (and our general overview of dog weights), buying guides for important products like an escape proof dog harness (read our review of escape proof dog harness) and our list of foods dogs can and can’t eat and a post on how to tell if your cat has a cold. Towards that end and to bring you up to speed, Pet News Daily has created a research-backed infographic to share the latest research on COVID-19 and pet health safety. We’ve pooled together information from leading COVID-related sources, including the CDC, FDA, and WHO.

If you want to ensure your pet remains in full health, free from COVID-19, our infographic is a must-read.

COVID-19 and Pet Health Safety

Want to learn how COVID-19 affects pets, and how you can protect your pet from the virus? Check out the following infographic. If you want to share this graphic, just copy and paste the code below.

covid-19 and pets: how to keep them safe

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COVID-19 & Pet Health Safety

Pet owners need to stay updated on important medical information concerning COVID-19 to protect their furry friends

  • The COVID-19 virus can spread from people to animals during close contact
  • Pets can become seriously ill from a COVID-19 infection
  • The following symptoms may be exhibited by pets sick with COVID-19:
    • Fever
    • Coughing
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Lethargy (unusual lack of energy or sluggishness)
    • Sneezing
    • Runny nose
    • Eye discharge
    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhea

Types of Animals Infected With COVID-19

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Farmed minks
  • Cougars
  • Tigers
  • Lions
  • Snow leopards
  • Gorillas
  • Pumas
  • Pet Ferrets
  • Hippos
  • Hyenas
  • Deer

The Role Of The CDC’s One Health

  • The CDC has improved our understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 affects animals and spreads between people and animals
  • The CDC leads the One Health Federal Interagency COVID-19 Coordination (OH-FICC) Group to:
    • Bring together public health, animal health, and environmental health representations from more than 20 federal agencies
    • Collaborate and exchange information
    • Research and develop guidance for:
      • Pets, wildlife, zoo animals, and livestock
      • Animal diagnostics and testing
      • Environmental health issues relating to COVID-19

Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your pet during COVID-19

How To Protect Your Pet During COVID-19

  • To keep your pet safe at home:
    • Limit contact between your pet and people outside the household as much as possible
    • Keep pets indoors if possible
    • Walk dogs on a leash and maintain at least 6 feet distance from other people and animals
    • Avoid crowded dog parks or public places
    • Regularly wash food and water dishes, toys, and bedding
    • Create an emergency plan for your pet you get sick with COVID-19
    • Have at least a two-week supply of pet food, treats, and cat litter (dust free)
    • Have a 30-day supply of pet medication
    • Ensure pet medical records are up-to-date, including microchip and vaccine information
    • Cats are particularly susceptible to infection with COVID-19 — people and pets should avoid contact with strays
  • What NOT to do:
    • DON’T mask your pets
    • DON’T wipe or bathe pets with:
      • Chemical disinfectants
      • Alcohol
      • Hydrogen peroxide
      • Hand sanitizer
      • Counter-cleaning wipes
      • Other industrial or surface cleaners
  • If you are sick with COVID-19:
    • Avoid the following forms of contact with pets:
      • Petting
      • Snuggling
      • Kissing
      • Licking
      • Sharing food
      • Sleeping with
    • Wash your hands before and after interacting with pets and their food, waste, and supplies
    • Wear a face mask around your pet
    • Avoid sharing food, eating utensils, cups, bedding, and other items with pets
  • If your pet becomes sick with COVID-19:
    • Isolate your pet at home, except for medical care
    • Call ahead before taking your pet to the veterinary clinic
    • Call your veterinarian and ask for a telemedicine consultation
    • Follow all care instructions provided by your veterinarian
    • Monitor your pet’s symptoms

If bedding is a concern and you need to purchase a new bed for your dog, we have a series of guides to help, including: our guide to finding a great waterproof dog bed, an outdoor dog bed, an elevated dog bed, or a dog couch.

For Up-to-Date Information & Point of Contact

  • Type in: “COVID and pets” when searching for information across the following websites:
    • avma.org
    • aaha.org
    • wsava.org
    • bva.co.uk
    • akc.org
    • usda.gov
    • cdc.gov
  • For additional information, contact the CDC at OneHealth@cdc.gov

Stay updated. Stay protected.

Sources:

Medical disclaimer:

This infographic and the content in this article is editorial in nature. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained on or available is for general information purposes only.

Dr. Jamie Whittenburg
Dr. Jamie Whittenburg is a graduate of Texas Tech University and Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine. A practicing veterinarian for 16 years, she works with cats, dogs, and small exotics. She has a special interest in feline medicine and surgery. In 2013, she opened her own practice, Kingsgate Animal Hospital. When not working, Dr. Whittenburg enjoys hiking and reading.