Can dogs and cats get Covid?

If you’ll soon be checking your pet into kennels or a cattery, you may be wondering “can dogs and cats get Covid?” This is a common question right now, particularly with new variants of the virus continuing to spread throughout the UK. Some people are worried that their furry friends could contract the disease. Read on to find out more. 

Coronavirus and your pets

You might have heard that coronaviruses can spread to animals and be wondering whether your pets could be at risk from Covid-19. You may also be concerned that they could even pass the virus to you or your family members. Whilst coronaviruses typically cause illness in either people or in animals, in rare cases, a virus can jump from animals to humans. A few pets have contracted the virus that causes Covid-19. Two other types of coronavirus – MERS and SARS – are also thought to have infected pets. All three of these coronaviruses originated in bats according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

How serious is Covid-19 in pets?

Whilst some pets are shown to have contracted Covid-19, most only experienced mild symptoms. Some pets didn’t show any symptoms of the disease at all. So, the good news for pet owners concerned about their animals contracting Covid-19 is that they’re unlikely to become very ill if they do. Cases of pets experiencing serious illness due to coronavirus are rare. If your pet becomes unwell and you suspect they’ve caught the virus, contact your vet as soon as possible. Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and weepy eyes may be signs of the virus. However, it’s important to note that they are common symptoms and may not be Covid related. 

Are there Covid-19 tests for pets?

If you’re worried your pet has contracted the virus, you might be wondering can dogs and cats get Covid tests. Although Covid-19 tests for pets do exist, they’re not currently being recommended. The reason for this is that the virus has affected only a small number of pets so far and they don’t appear to be playing a significant role in its spread. Plus, the tests for pets aren’t widely available right now since they’re being prioritised for use in scientific studies or for animals that are at high risk. There’s also no animal vaccine for Covid-19 since the virus is so rare in pets and does not cause severe disease.

How do dogs and cats catch Covid-19?

There are been a few reports of both dogs and cats catching Covid-19. Experts think that the animals caught the virus after coming into contact with people who had it. Early studies are revealed that cats are the animals that are most likely to catch Covid-19. 

Can pets transmit Covid-19 to people?

There’s currently no evidence to suggest that pets can spread the Covid-19 virus to people. Therefore, you shouldn’t worry unnecessarily about your pet becoming a source of infection. However, since we know that the virus can survive on various surfaces, it may be possible for it to live in a similar way on an animal’s fur. To prevent the potential spread of the virus, pet owners are advised to:

• Wash your hands with soap and water both before and after touching your pet, their food, or their bedding.
• Avoid cuddling or kissing your pet if you’re self-isolating. Close contact can result in the spread of the disease.
• Not share your food with your pet.

Since there’s no current evidence that Covid-19 can be transmitted from pet fur to humans, owners should not clean pets before touching them. You shouldn’t use disinfectants on your pet as it could cause them considerable distress. Chemical burns could occur, especially in the case of cats. 

If you have tested positive for Covid-19, you should minimise contact as much as you can. 

Can I take my pet to kennels or a cattery?

Both catteries and dog kennels in Rotherham, Maltby and across the UK have operated as normal throughout the pandemic. Therefore, you can still book your pet into our boarding facilities at any time if you need us to care for them whilst you’re away from home. At Jaycliffe Pets, we adhere to the latest government guidance for kennels and catteries. We follow the rules on physical distancing to help prevent the spread of the virus. We limit close face to face interaction as much as possible and take steps to maintain hygiene within our facilities.  

Well-designed and well-managed pet boarding facilities are extremely good at protecting dogs and cats from various viruses which can make them unwell. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, kennels and catteries have taken precautions to prevent the spread of disease. 

At Jaycliffe Pets, not only do we clean units thorough after each pet’s stay, making sure they’re hygienic, but we also provide solid barriers between animals to minimise infection spread. Pets from different households aren’t able to touch each other. Whilst it’s very unlikely that your pet will become ill during their stay with us, you can rest assured that they will receive the highest standard of veterinary care if they do. We take preventing the spread of Covid-19 very seriously here at Jaycliffe Pets.  

Contact us 

Can dogs and cats get Covid is a common question right now. However, evidence shows that whilst household pets can contract the virus, it’s rare and unlikely to make them very ill in most cases. Very few pets become seriously unwell. To discuss your pet boarding needs, contact Jaycliffe Pets – the leading cattery and dog kennels in Rotherham and Maltby. Call us on 01709 645 046 to talk to one of our friendly team. You can also send us a message via our website.