(and vice versa?)
What a nerve-wracking time that we live in, right? That feeling when you’ve been exposed to the virus and then feel like a “sitting duck” as you await the arrival of potential symptoms…I do hope that you and yours are staying healthy! This begs an important question: if you get COVID, can you give the virus to your dog?
Can Pets Get COVID?
Drs. Sarah Hamer and Lori Teller, both associate professors at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have been studying the impacts on animals that the COVID virus has and they offer some guidance.
“In our study here at Texas A&M University, we have sampled more than 580 household pets that all live where at least one person was infected with COVID-19, and we confirmed infections in about 100 animals,” Hamer said. “As far as we know, pet infections result from spillover from humans; infected people who share space with their pets can infect their pets, just as humans can infect other people.”
Symptoms Tend to Be Mild
Thankfully, when a pet contracts the virus, their symptoms tend to be very mild to non-existent. You might notice your pet having a few more respiratory issues than normal and that’s about it.
Dr. Teller advises that if your pet is experiencing mild respiratory symptoms of COVID, supportive care is the best course of action. This includes keeping them well hydrated, encouraging rest and the occasional anti-inflammatory medication to help with any discomfort.
Don’t Socially Distance From Your Pets!
If you’re inclined to seclude yourself entirely from your pet because you’re afraid of infecting them, rethink that decision. Pets are an enormous comfort to humans and, especially since the virus has fewer impacts on pets than on humans, it’s important to keep your beloved pets close to you as you weather this storm. When humans are sick, often our pets are just as comforting as a good Netflix binge, chicken noodle soup and a warm blanket. And being close to their humans will also be comforting to your pets, so don’t deny them your love in an effort to protect them from a virus that shouldn’t impact them too severely.
Want to learn more about keeping your pets healthy? Check out these other posts:
4 Natural Ways to Ease Joint Pain in Older Dogs
