Can Dogs Get COVID-19?

We know the coronavirus COVID-19 originated from animals and you may have heard about a few dogs and cats testing positive. So could our cats and dogs get coronavirus, and even spread it to other animals? If so, what are their symptoms? And is this something to be worried about?

This article covers recent updates, tips, and guidance regarding animals contracting COVID-19. At this point, there is no evidence that animals can transmit coronavirus to humans.  

Can Dogs and Cats Get Coronavirus From a Human?

According to the World Health Organization, coronavirus COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets. According to the information available to date, the likelihood of these droplets causing the infection is higher when people are in close contact with each other. However, there is limited information regarding this topic.

Although coronavirus is not currently considered a health threat to your pets, there is still a slim chance that a dog or cat can contract the virus and test positive. Dogs and humans have many of the same types of receptors on their cells; therefore, the virus could theoretically attach to these receptors in dogs as well. There have been a few accounts of dogs and cats testing positive for COVID-19, but the chances of this happening and the health risks are very low at this point.

Can Dogs Give You Coronavirus? 

Although it is accepted that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from an animal in China, there is currently no evidence that animals in the United States are spreading coronavirus to people. Therefore, there is no reason to be fearful of catching COVID-19 from exposure to your pet or another animal.

During the SARS outbreak in 2003, where over 280 people died in Hong Kong, there were similar fears regarding the spread of coronavirus by pets. While it is true that dogs and cats get coronaviruses, typically they are different viruses than COVID-19, said Jane Gray, Hong Kong SPCA's chief veterinary surgeon. The strains that dogs and cats typically get don't cause respiratory problems and will not be transmitted to humans.