Covid-19 and pets

Quinny is my favourite dog. But with the current pandemic, is it safe to pet him? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S., there is no evidence at this time that pets can spread Covid-19 or be a source of infection. So Quinny will still get his belly rubs. (© Richard McGuire Photo)

Understandably, people are worried about different ways they might contract Covid-19. Some people are worried about transmission from pets and such fears spread like wildfire on social media.

Relax. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no evidence that pets are a risk. They say:

At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19 or that they might be a source of infection in the United States.

Animals can, however, get some coronaviruses, so if you are infected, you need to restrict contact with them.

See details in the CDC posting “Animals and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)” on the CDC website.

The primary means of transmission is still person-to-person from droplets that are spread through the air after coughing or sneezing. Touching recently infected surfaces and then touching your face before washing can also spread the virus.

 

Author: Richard McGuire

Richard McGuire is an Osoyoos photographer who worked at the Osoyoos Times between 2012 and 2018, first as reporter and then as editor. He has a long career in journalism as well as research, communication and management at the House of Commons in Ottawa and in the federal government.