Can Dogs Get COVID?

When the global pandemic known as COVID-19 hit in 2020 the world was in a panic.  Not only were people worried about their lives but the lives of their pets as well. What do we know about coronavirus?  Can dogs get coronavirus?  How can we protect our canine friends?

What Is Canine Coronavirus?

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has known for decades that dogs can contract coronaviruses. The canine coronavirus is better known as canine respiratory coronavirus.  This is not the same as the novel coronavirus or COVID- 19.  Covid-19 is not believed to be a threat to your canine’s health.   There is a report from May 2021 that reports a small number of cases of the canine coronavirus in a few Malaysian hospitalized patients in 2018.  This virus is not the same one that causes Covid-19. This study indicates that there are no signs that the canine respiratory coronavirus poses any threat to humans. The tests done in this study offers insight into the steps a virus would have to go through to affect humans.

Can Dogs Get COVID-19?

Dogs can test positive for the virus even though it seems to pose no threat to dogs. Originally, a pug named Winston Churchill was thought to be the first dog in the US to test positive for COVID-19. However, it was later discovered after further testing that the dog never contracted the virus. “While there was a weak detection from the original oral sample, it did not meet the case definition for a positive, and all other testing was negative,” said Lyndsay Cole.  Cole is a spokesperson for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Three of the family members in this household tested positive for COVID-19. Two pets in Hong Kong tested positive and it was assumed to be human to animal transference of the virus. Neither dog got sick throughout this. In November 2021, the U.K. reported its first case of COVID in a dog, however, there is still no evidence dogs can pass the virus to humans.

Can Other Animals Get COVID-19?

Two cats tested positive for COVID-19 both had mild respiratory symptoms but only one was from a home with a human with COVID.   Experts believe that the cat contracted COVID from a mildly infected human outside the home.

Can Dogs Spread COVID?

According to the World Health Organization, “There is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.”

The CDC recommends that if you are sick you stay away from your pets. If you must care for your animals, wear a face mask. It is also recommended that you wash your hands before and after handling your pet or their food.

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