Covid-19, Lockdown and Your Pets
There has been a lot of information in the press recently about Covid-19 and its possible effect on our pets. Some of this information has been distorted, or based on poor research or supposition. Owners and animal professionals are left wondering what impact, if any, the virus will have on our animal companions. This blog will attempt to provide some evidence-based answers. The most pressing questions seem to be whether we can give the disease to our pets, and whether our pets can give it to us. There have been confusing, or contradictory reports in the mainstream media about whether pets can spread the virus.
Research Findings:
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is an international organisation of veterinarians who recently offered2 some information about pets and Covid-19. I am happy to report that the WSAVA concluded that there is no evidence that pets can transmit the Covid-19 virus to humans.2
Even if an infected person petted your dog or cat, it appears that it is highly unlikely that the animal can be a carrier of the virus to another human. Pet fur does not transmit the virus, so owners do not need to clean their pets’ fur after the animal has been outdoors.3
Likewise, you do not need to keep you cat indoors for fear of he or she becoming a carrier4. It is fine to keep your cat indoors if your cat is happy with this arrangement, but it can be quite stressful for cats to be suddenly kept indoors if they are used to freedom outdoors. As all cat owners know, a stressed cat leads to increased owner stress, which is not good for anyone’s immune system!
The question of whether we can give C-19 to our pets is more difficult to answer.
As of 23 April 2020, there have been over 2.6 million human cases, and less than 10 documented cases of C-19 in dogs or cats. In other words, statistically, for every one million reported human cases, there are 5 animal cases. Whilst the researchers concluded that these animal cases were most likely due to exposure to an infected human, the virus appears to be ‘self-limiting’ in non-human species, as none became extremely unwell, and all appeared to recover completely within a few days.
These animals did not show any sign of the disease, and did not appear to transmit it to others of their species. In other words, in rare cases, cats and dogs appear to be able to test positive for the virus without becoming unwell themselves2.
Hygiene and C-19:
However, it is important to show good hygiene and common sense by following the usual precautions. If you are high risk for C-19, then it is best to avoid close contact with animals who spend a lot of time outdoors and refrain from petting other dogs and cats. It is also good to wash your hands thoroughly after touching your pets and avoid close contact with them (if possible!) if you have been diagnosed with the virus6. I know that this is easier said than done. Close contact with our beloved animal companions can play a huge role in reducing our Lockdown induced stress and healing from the disease.
Lockdown Stress and Our Pets:
Many companion animals are quite happy to have their owners’ home during lockdown. However, some can experience stress from a dramatic change in their routines.
Here are some tips for reducing their stress2:
Change their routine as little as possible from ‘normal’ conditions. Take them on their usual walks, give them the usual food at the usual times, and let them have their alone time for naps or their usual activities such as bird watching or food dispenser toys.
If there is a ‘new normal’, follow the new routine as much as possible.
If you become unwell, try to have their fill-in handler keep to existing routines.
Too much closeness or physical proximity can increase their stress, so let them have plenty of space if they want to go into another room, or outdoors.
Set boundaries with them by ignoring attention seeking behaviour. Have clear ‘play times’, ‘cuddle times’, ‘walk times’ and do not be afraid to ignore them when you are working from home! They can then enjoy some quiet time whilst you are working.
References:
(1) https://wsava.org/about/
(2) WSAVA Webinar: COVID-19 and Companion Animals – What we know today - YouTube
(3) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html…
(4) https://icatcare.org/covid-19-dont-start-keeping-your-cats…/
(5) https://wsava.org/…/COVID-19-An-Update-for-WSAVA-Members-Ap…
(6) https://wsava.org/…/COVID-19_WSAVA-Advisory-Document-Mar-19…
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