Back in March, we shared what we knew so far about COVID-19 and your pets as the pandemic unfolded in the United States. As things have progressed and evolved, with many areas bouncing quickly between reopening and shutting back down, our Pet Care Team has received many questions about what’s changed and what pet owners need to know.
The Latest Pet Guidance from the CDC
The CDC’s latest pet guidance, updated on June 22nd, still assures owners that the risk of animals spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 is low.
However, more studies are needed to really understand how animals get the virus in the first place, which is now known to happen. A small number of domestic dogs and cats have been reported as infected, and a tiger at a New York zoo tested positive in May. It’s believed that a zoo employee spread the virus to the tiger, but ultimately we still don’t have enough information to understand the impacts.
What to Do if You’re Sick
If you’re experiencing any of the common symptoms of COVID-19, the CDC recommends limiting interactions with your pets and following the same preventative measures as you would for other members of your household. This means no petting, snuggling, or sleeping in the same location. If possible, another household member should be in charge of taking care of any pets. If that’s not possible, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before and after walking, feeding, and any other interactions.
What to Do if You…
Get Exclusive Offers for Your Pet
