With the first few cases of COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus) reported in Manitoba, the question some dog owners are asking themselves is if they need to worry about their pets contracting or spreading the disease.
The short answer so far is no. (And they don’t need to wear face masks either)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no current evidence that pets can contract nor can they spread COVID-19.
But what about that dog in Hong Kong?
According to media reports back in February, a dog in Hong Kong tested a weak positive for the coronavirus. Experts unanimously believe the transmission was a human-to-animal transmission and that the dog was only superficially contaminated. Experts concluded that the result was not high enough to warrant an actual diagnosis of COVID-19.
So what can you do?
If you believe you have been exposed or have COVID-19, to be safe, avoid contact with your pet as you self-quarantine. That may mean asking a friend or family member to look after your pet while you recover. If you can’t arrange for that, wash your hands often and avoid touching your pet. While there is no evidence that your pet can become infected and sick with COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States still recommends limiting contact with your pet until more is known about the virus.
Most importantly, continue practicing good hygiene to avoid any potential spread.