Can pets get COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2?
- They seem to have more resistance to getting the virus and only a few dozen cases of pets with clinical signs have been positive despite over 7 million people worldwide having developed the disease.
Can I get COVID-19 from my pet?
- There is no evidence of the disease going from pets to people.
If I get COVID-19, should I isolate myself from my pet?
- Yes, try to avoid direct care of the animal while you have the infection. There is no reason the pet should be removed from the home.
Should I have my pet tested for COVID-19?
- At this point in time, there is no general screening test of pets without clinical signs of the illness. If your pet has a fever and respiratory clinical signs, testing for other illnesses should be screened for.
Should I keep an indoor/outdoor cat inside during the pandemic?
- This would be a good idea to prevent them from interacting with people or other animals.
These recommendations are current as of 6/24/20 from the US Centers for Disease Control and the World Organization for Animal Health.
Holly Lillegaard DVM,
River Hills Pet Care Hospital