As of March 11, the coronavirus has killed over 4,200 people, and infected more than 115,000 people around the world. Reading those numbers can be scary, and it’s easy to understand why people are so concerned for their health. With that said, though, there are plenty of things you don’t have to worry about, when it comes to the virus — and a fear of your pet getting this coronavirus is one of them.

The claim that household pets can spread this specific type of coronavirus, whether in the United States or in China, is a myth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus.”

Can Dogs Test Positive For Coronavirus?

This might be kind of confusing, given the recent report that a dog in Hong Kong tested “weakly positive” for the same coronavirus that has been infecting humans across the world. CNN explains that dogs, cats, and other pets could “carry” a virus the same way a virus can live on a doorknob or office counter. However, as the Hong Kong SPCA said in a statement to CNN, this isn’t the same as “being infectious and capable of spreading the Covid-19 virus.”

Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department concluded that dogs and cats cannot spread coronavirus to humans, even if they test positive for it, the Associated Press reported on March 4. What’s more, there’s no evidence that the virus can make non-human species sick.

Still, WHO suggests you always wash your hands with soap and water after touching your pet to prevent the passage of common bacteria.

Can Cats Get Coronavirus?

There are no reports yet of any cats testing positive for the human coronavirus. Though feline coronavirus is a common viral infection for cats, it’s a totally separate strain unrelated to the one humans are catching. One of the most common symptoms of feline coronavirus is diarrhea, according to Cornell’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

Different Coronavirus Strains In Cats & Dogs

There’s more than one type of coronavirus, and yes, some can infect animals. “Almost every animal species has its own coronavirus, and in some cases more than one,” Dr. Niels Pedersen, Ph.D., a professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the U.C. Davis Veterinary Medicine school, tells Bustle.

“Coronaviruses exist in most of the species that come in close contact with humans, such as dogs and cats,” Pedersen says. “The feline and dog coronaviruses, which people are most interested in, do not infect humans and vice versa.” Humans have their own genetically distinct types of coronaviruses and while cross species transfer does happen, it’s only over a vast period of time and after the virus has mutated significantly.

How To Protect Your Pet From Coronavirus

The only time you should consider quarantining your pet is if it lives in a household where someone has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Since the dog that tested weakly positive for coronavirus is believed to have gotten the virus from a human, the best thing you can do for your pet is practice good hygiene and wash your hands frequently.

“CDC recommends that people traveling to China avoid animals both live and dead, but there is no reason to think that any animals or pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus,” the CDC’s site explains. It adds that the virus is now being spread from human-to-human as opposed to animal-to-human.

At the end of the day, taking all the necessary precautions to ensure you stay healthy is the best thing you can do for your pet. After all, you can only take care of your favorite fluffy friend if you first take care of yourself. You can also stay up to date on the latest news around the coronavirus by following the social media accounts of organizations like the WHO and CDC.

If you think you’re showing symptoms of coronavirus, which include fever, shortness of breath, and cough, call your doctor before going to get tested. If you’re anxious about the virus’s spread in your community, visit the CDC for up-to-date information and resources, or seek out mental health support. You can find all Bustle’s coverage of coronavirus here.

Experts:

Dr. Niels Pedersen, Ph.D., professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

 

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