What do we know about the COVID-19 virus and companion animals?  

While COVID-19 mostly spreads from person to person, it can also spread from people to animals.

COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses. Some cause cold-like illnesses in people, and others cause illness in animals, such as bats. In addition, some coronaviruses infect only animals. While the specific source of origin isn't known, the virus that causes COVID-19 is believed to have started in an animal, spread to humans and then spread between people.

Scientists are still learning about the virus and more studies are needed to determine definitively if and how animals could be affected by COVID-19. Observations and experimental studies report that dogs and cats are susceptible to COVID-19. Cats seem to have a higher susceptibility than dogs and also have the potential to transmit the disease to other cats.2 

Pets that live in households with COVID-19 patients are at risk of contracting the disease from them and can spread the virus to other pets. However, there is currently no evidence that pets can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to humans.

Canine companions

As many people are staying home during the pandemic, more are turning to canine companions.

In March 2020, private breeders, shelters, rescues and pet stores across the nation reported a surge in requests for puppies and dogs.

About 1 in 3 Americans report being worried or depressed — a substantial increase due to the pandemic — and 53% of U.S. adults say COVID-19 has negatively impacted their mental health, according to the CDC.

So the all-out boom in sales and adoptions may be due in part to dogs helping their owners combat stress, boost happiness and engage in habits such as physical activity for their heart and brain health and well-being.

Taking care of pets during an outbreak

Pets are part of our family and deserve the same level of attention during an outbreak as any other family member. It is therefore important to be prepared so that if you do need to stay at home during an outbreak, you have sufficient pet food, prescribed medication and supplies to provide adequate care for your pet. If a pet becomes ill during this time, a veterinary professional should be contacted for advice and treatment. Furthermore, it is sensible to make plans in case you are ill, so that if needed there is someone who can care for your pet.

Owners should apply best practices for avoiding COVID infection to pets, too. To protect your pet from the COVID-19 virus, don't let your dog or cat interact with people or animals outside your household. For example:

• Avoid dog parks or public places where many people and dogs gather.
• When walking your dog, make sure your dog wears a leash and keep your dog at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people and animals.
• Keep cats indoors when possible.

If you become sick with COVID-19 and have a pet:

• Isolate yourself from everyone else, including your pet. If possible, have another person in your household care for your pet.
• Avoid petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food or bedding with your pet.
• If you care for your pet or are around animals while you're sick, wear a cloth face covering. Wash your hands before and after handling animals and their food, waste and supplies. Also, make sure you clean up after your pet.

Cats appear to be more susceptible to COVID-19 than dogs, researchers said. And minks, which are farmed in the U.S. and elsewhere for their fur, appear quite vulnerable.

In the meantime, the list of creatures tested for COVID-19 — whether for illness or science — is growing. In Florida, 22 animals had been tested as of early October, including three wild dolphins, two civets, two clouded leopards, a gorilla, an orangutan, an alpaca and a bush baby, state officials said.

In California, 29 animals had been tested by the end of September, including a meerkat, a monkey and a coatimundi, a member of the raccoon family.

In Seattle, a plan to test orcas, or killer whales, in Puget Sound was called off at the last minute after a member of the scientific team was exposed to COVID-19 and had to quarantine, said Dr. Joe Gaydos, a senior wildlife veterinarian and science director for the SeaDoc Society, a conservation program at the University of California-Davis. The group missed its September window to locate the animals and obtain breath and fecal samples for analysis.

No one thinks marine animals will play a big role in the pandemic decimating the human population, Gaydos said. But testing many creatures on both land and sea is vital.

Can I walk my dog during the coronavirus outbreak?

The answer will depend on two things firstly what guidance/regulations your government has put in place regarding this point and secondly whether you can say yes to the following categories:

• you have no symptoms of COVID-19
• you don’t live with someone who’s showing symptoms or been diagnosed
• you don’t have any underlying conditions that would make you especially vulnerable
• you have not been instructed to self-isolate

If this is the case and your Government has not put in place any guidance or regulations regarding dog walking then yes you can go out with your dog (even in lockdown) as long as your walk is relatively short and kept within your own neighbourhood, however you should socially distance yourself, this means ensuring that you keep a safe distance from other people. It is also advised that you keep your dog on their lead where possible to minimise contact with other people/dogs. It is important for animals to get the daily exercise they need so if you are unable to walk your dog then your dog should be given regular access to the garden or an enclosed outside area. If they have to stay inside for long periods then they should be kept busy with enrichment for mental stimulation such as playing with toys or having chews/a Kong to play with during the day. Neighbours, friends, family, local shelters and community groups may also be able to assist with supporting people who cannot walk or take care of their pets during this time but all health and safety measures such as regular hand-washing and social distancing must be followed. In terms of cats, unless there are any government regulations/advice regarding letting cats outdoors, this should continue as normal.

Is there a vaccination against the COVID-19 coronavirus that my pet can receive?

Recently developed vaccines for humans are just now (as of January 2021) starting to be administered globally.3

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which grants commercial licenses for pet vaccines, currently the Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) is not accepting license applications for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for use in dogs or cats because the data does not indicate such a vaccine would have epidemiological value.4 This is because pets do not play an important role in the maintenance or transmission of the disease to humans.

How to help the animals at a time when it’s needed most:

At a time when more people are in need of assistance but fewer are in a financial position to be able to provide it, 35.1% of Americans donated to animal related causes in 2020.

Many of us are passionate about the natural world around us. Several people choose to support charities that help endangered animals, some opt to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, and others decide to actively volunteer. There are so many ways to support the creatures that share this planet with us, and one of the simplest ways is to donate to endangered animal charities.