With the outbreak of the 2019/2020 Pandemic Coronavirus or Covid-19, there are many questions lingering in regard to our dogs. If you are a dog parent you may be wondering about Coronavirus in dogs and asking is your dog safe? I have been keeping up with all the information that has been released out there about the Coronavirus and how it might affect our furry friends. I want to provide you with the answers that dog parents need to know and resources we can trust for the most up-to-date information.

As we know I am dedicated to keeping our dogs healthy, happy and well-adjusted and in times of a Pandemic, I want you to know I am still here and supporting pet parents around the globe. I want what is best for our furry pals. I had many questions myself as we do not know much about the new Coronavirus that has taken over our media, much of it contradicting each other especially when it comes to our dogs, so I wanted to get to the truth of the matter and know the answers related to the Coronavirus in Dogs.

Another reason I want to help our dog parents understand more about COVID-19 is the stories that we are hearing in the news and how it is impacting dogs being surrendered to already overpopulated shelters, killed or just turned out on the streets. At this time there is no evidence that leads us to believe dogs are able to infect humans or other animals at this time, so as my heart is breaking for our furry friends please keep your dogs and other pets home with you as they are not a threat. You might be interested in finding out more about what we can learn from Wuhan in my article COVID 19 and Dogs – How to Keep Them Safe During the Pandemic.

Our animals not only provide the company that people need during these trying times but also provide many health benefits to humans, such as anxiety relief, which everyone needs right low along with, lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglycerides, just to name a few. Your dog and other animals are a vital part of your family and for the sake of your dog please do not abandon them due to fear that your dog may have the virus. All related studies at this time agree that dogs are not in any way able to transfer this virus to other animals or to the human population. The biggest risk is from human to human contact.

History OF COVID-19

Looking at the history, starting out in Wuhan China from what is called a wet market in December of 2019, workers from this open type market and delivery people that deliver to the market started getting sick as a result of what we now know as a new strain of the Coronavirus family (SARS-CoV-2) and named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2020.

One big question that many people are asking is how did the market get infected? Just like the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) back in February 2003, scientists and doctors have found that this strain of betacoronavirus closely matches many of the results of that epidemic and was transmitted through the horseshoe bat that is known to be heavily populated in China, this brings the experts to believe that again this is a virus related to bats and possibly then mutated to infect a pangolin.

As of the date of this article, the US alone has reported over 530,006 confirmed cases in humans with 20,608 deaths from the pandemic COVID-19 that is raging globally. There have been some reports of animals contracting this virus; however, still no indication that your pet or any other domestic animal can transfer it to other animals or infect humans. I will continue to update these numbers daily. (updated 4/12/2020)

Many of you fear for your own health and the health of your dogs, so what questions do you have? I know I am doing my part in social distancing. Here is a list of questions that I have compiled and want to answer to help you and your dogs stay safe. If there is a question I have not answered please post it below in the comments and I will try to answer it the best I can.

Can Dogs Get the Novel Coronavirus?

You may have heard about the little 17-year-old pomeranian that has tested weak-positive at Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservations Department (AFCD), however, the little dog showed no signs of illness. Yes, the parent of this dog had COVID-19 and the dog tested weak-positive, so what does this mean for our dogs?

As testing continued and after several tests coming back negative, the dog was sent back home after a quarantine of two weeks where it passed due to what many feels is old age as this dog had many other health issues not related to the Novel Coronavirus. The continuous tests run on this particular dog does not determine if the weak-positive results were intact or otherwise contagious or if just merely particles of the RNA picked up from the human. The AFCD stated that they will continue testing dogs and other companion animals as the virus may evolve.

Since then according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) on March 19, 2020, another dog tested positive for the virus but again has no clinical signs of being infected with the virus. At the same time, a dog from the same household was brought in and has tested negative for the virus. Both dogs will continue to be tested during the quarantined time frame.

“While there is still much we don’t know about COVID19, we do know that the Pomeranian dog did not die from the virus, and the second dog is also showing no signs, either of the disease or of being able to transmit it to other pets or people. The current evidence still strongly indicates that COVID-19 cannot be contracted from pets.”

WSAVA President Dr Shane Ryan

At this time in the testing phase according to AFCD, these dogs may have contracted the virus from the owner; however, there is no evidence that dogs can get sick from the virus or transmit the virus to humans or other animals.

As we know the professionals are learning more and more day by day and after the AFCD tested 17 more dogs and 8 more cats that had all been in close contact with their pet parent that had contracted COVID-19 all tests were negative, except for the 2 mentioned above which still had no signs of illness with this coronavirus.

On March 18, 2020, a cat fell ill in Belgium and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 though testing the vomit and feces of the cat; however, there were no details of how the testing samples were collected so was ruled non-conclusive, and in nine days the cat was back to normal. By March 30, 2020, the AFCD reported there was another cat in Hong Kong, living in a residence where the pet parent was a confirmed case and now the cat is now also testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, but again no clinical signs that the cat is ill and remains in quarantine at this time to be monitored.

The newest animal to test positive and confirmed for SARS-CoV-2 on April 5, 2020, is a Tiger in a New York zoo, who had been in close contact with a zoo worker that was actively shedding the virus. Samples from one of the Tigers were taken after several of the Tigers and Lions were showing respiratory issues, according to the USDA all tigers are expected to recover. No other animals in the zoo have shown any signs of the virus at this time. The USDA and CDC will be working together to monitor if more tests will be liable for animals in the future.

With these new findings, the CDC and USDA are saying that we understand that the virus is zoonotic and can be spread from humans to some animals. At this time there is still not any evidence that animals can spread the virus to humans or as in the dogs and cats that tested positive if it actually makes them sick. As information is more readily available I will keep you updated. (Updated 4/9/2020)

What Is the CDC Saying About Coronavirus in Dogs?

Can Mosquitoes, Ticks or Fleas Spread the Virus?

COVID-19 is transmitted through droplets due to coughing or sneezing and then coming in direct contact with those of an infected person. We are aware that these parasites can cause illness in both humans and animals such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Tick Disease, and Heartworm. In the case of mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas these are all vector-borne transmissions, which is transmitted through the blood of a host to another, so the answer to this question would be, no they cannot transfer the Coronavirus from one person to another or to our animals.

Should Others Pet My Dog?

There looks to be a controversy when answering this question between whether we should allow others to pet our dogs. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), it would be unlikely for someone to get contaminated with a virus from letting someone pet your dog. Contracting COVID-19 this way is what they call fomite exposure, this is when droplets are deposited on a surface and then another comes in contact with that surface and then touches there mouth, nose, or eyes.

The AVMA explains that surfaces such as smooth non-porous, countertops or doorknobs are much more likely to cause exposure to a person than such things and money or dog fur which is much more porous and absorbs the pathogens making it less likely to contract the disease from dog fur. With that said, if your dog is with you and you are complying with the six-foot rule, I would think your dog is would be within your six-foot diameter so for your safety of exposure they should not pet your dog. If your dog happens to be in your fenced yard and someone wants to pet them, for safety sake of getting bit by a fenced dog they should not try to pet your dog if it is not familiar to them. Dogs have a tendency to protect what is theirs.

To actually answer the question of whether or not to let others pet your dog, I would say use your best judgment, if it were me I think I would let them know they could pet them another day just to keep everyone involved safe.

My Dog’s Shots Are Due Should I Take Them To The Vet?

Here is what your routine visit might look like according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Vets may not allow human interaction in their clinic so to check-in might be a phone call when you are in the parking lot, so someone from the clinic can come out and retrieve your dog for their appointment or they may limit persons bringing the dog into the clinic to only one person and ask that you practice social distancing while there. It really depends on what safety procedures your individual vet has put in place. Paying for services may be utilizing a credit card over the phone or if you have to write a check make sure to use your own pen to keep you and others healthy from possible exposure.

Can I Take My Dog For A Walk?

Walking your dog is a great idea! There is no threat of exposure to the Coronavirus by simply walking your dog. Getting out in the fresh air and the much-needed exercise is good for both you and your dog. This is even more true when lots of people are cooped up in their homes or need that break from working from home. Walking your dog as long as you do not come within six feet of another human is extremely beneficial and provides for bonding time with your dog.

Can I Take My Dog To The Dog Park?

What Happens If I Get Sick With Coronavirus?

Make sure if you are hospitalized that there is someone available to care for your dog. It is best to set this up prior to ever being diagnosed with this virus to make sure your dog is cared for.

As with what we know about the Coronavirus or COVID-19, many people that have this virus are being advised to go home and self-quarantine until the virus has run its course and the doctor gives you a clean bill of health. What about our dogs are they able to keep us company while we are sick, with the new findings it is best to use social distancing with our dogs if we have COVID-19 as there are rare occasions when animals have tested positive after having close contact with a human. To date, there are still no dogs that have had any clinical signs that they get sick with the virus.

To answer this question it would depend on if there is anyone else to care for your dog. If there are other family members that have not contracted the Coronavirus then it is best to keep in mind the social distancing and this should even include your dog to play it safe, and for other family members in the home. There is no conclusive evidence that dogs can spread the disease to humans, even from their fur as a fomite type of transmission, but it is always best to put safety precautions in place if nothing else for peace of mind.

If there are no other people in the home or anyone else to care for your dog then it is perfectly safe at this time to care for your dog on your own, using precautions. Practicing good hygiene is always a plus and something we should always do when interacting with our dogs. Washing our hands is a good practice before and after interacting with our dogs and other pets, and if you have the virus a face mask is recommended. (Updated 4/7/2020)

Can I Have My Dog Tested For COVID-19?

What If My Dog Gets Sick?

If your dog gets sick, begin with calling your vet. Do not assume your dog has the Coronavirus that is spreading in humans as there is no known evidence that our furry friends will become ill with this virus. If your dog is suffering from a cough or respiratory issues, or any other health issue, I am sure you will find your vet will be able to help you determine why your dog might be sick and provide appropriate treatment.

This is probably just a bought of the dog flu or a canine cold. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not medically cleared yet, make sure when you call your vet that you let them know as they will want to take special precautions and most likely ask you to send your dog with someone else to the vet to keep the humans safe from contracting the virus from you. This is also good information to provide your vet as for cautionary measures, it might be one of the situations where the vet determines your dog a candidate to be tested for the coronavirus that is causing COVID-19 in humans depending on the symptoms your dog is displaying. (Updated 4/9/2020)

What Precautions Should I Take With My Dog?

With our dogs and even other animals that share our homes, make sure to take the everyday precautions of washing hands before and after caring for our furry friends and keep bedding, bowls, toys, and other items clean and sanitary. This keeps us and our furry friends stay healthy in a normal setting, even when we are not concerned about COVID-19. (Updated 4/9/2020)

Is Your Dog Prepared If Coronavirus Strikes Your Family?

Being proactive in case of disaster or crisis is important for most families. Having a plan of action and know what will happen to your kids if a problem arises is just a part of good parenting. What happens though if something happens out of the blue and you are left wondering what you need to do for your dog. That is where getting prepared will help you, there are many items you might want to look at and I have put together a checklist to help you determine what you will need just for your dog. Sign up below to become a friend of The Wood Hound and I will deliver my Disaster/Crisis/Emergency Kit directly to your inbox.

My Thoughts On Coronavirus In Dogs

I have tried to answer questions that dog parents are asking to the best of my knowledge and with the most recent information available from good sources. Please do not hesitate if you have a question ask it in the comments below, others may have the same question that you have.

As this article wraps up there are still many uncertainties related to the new coronavirus. I plan to continue to update this article as more information comes available. The unknown is difficult and what the new norm will look like after this crisis is over is still debatable. As for our dogs, experts say they are still relatively safe from the virus and there has not been any indication that our dog can become ill. That is great news for our furry friends and our pet parents that love them.

As for the pet parents that are thinking they need to surrender their dog or any other animal, as they might carry the virus, rest assured they are safer with you than at a shelter. Keep them at home with you, love them, keep them healthy and reap the benefits your animals provide, you may find you need them for support in the future.

If you have more questions that I have not covered here drop them in the comments below and I will try to answer them with the most educated answers I can find. Our dog’s health is important and so is ours. Thank you for helping to keep our dogs healthy, happy and well-adjusted.

Stay safe and well and keep those fur babies by your side?