On December 31st, 2019, medical institutions in Wuhan, China reported a collection of cases involving pneumonia-like symptoms. After further investigation, doctors revealed these symptoms were caused by a novel coronavirus named COVID-19. Research continues to happen on the intricacies of this coronavirus, how it impacts the body, and how rapidly it transmits from person to person.
However, among all of this, it’s important for dog owners to ask, “Can dogs contract COVID-19?”
Here’s a detailed look at this virus, its effect on pets, and how to keep your dog safe at all times.
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus is a general term used to describe a cluster of related viruses. These viruses bring along with them a range of diseases including the common cold, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Based on medical research, certain coronavirus spread person to person, while others don’t.
COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus and is known to transmit person to person.
Can Dogs Get COVID-19?
While we realize the impact it has on humans, what about your dog? Does it impact dogs the same way it does humans?
YES, dogs can get coronaviruses, but they are not the same as what’s being termed as COVID-19.
When a dog is diagnosed with coronavirus, the condition is called “Pantropic Canine Coronavirus”, which has only been seen in certain parts of Europe such as Belgium and France. This specific type of coronavirus thrives in the dog’s intestines and can cause a wide array of symptoms.
Continuous research is being done into the Pantropic Canine Coronavirus, but initial studies reveal it can spread further into the dog’s organs from the stomach.
How can dog owners tell whether or not their dog has the coronavirus?
Here are some of the underlying symptoms a dog will display when they have contracted the Pantropic Canine Coronavirus:
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Runny Nose
- Low Appetite
- High Temperature
- Low Energy
Please note, a dog having one or multiple of these symptoms DOES NOT mean they have contracted the coronavirus. In fact, these symptoms are also seen in other conditions, making it important to reach out to the local vet as soon as possible for an in-depth diagnosis.
The vet will shed light on potential treatments, how to make the dog feel comfortable, and which adjustments should be made promptly at home. In general, the best course of action is to keep the environment as clean as possible when your dog is ill and implement preventative methods in your house.
Just like COVID-19, there is no listed antibiotic for the Pantropic Canine Coronavirus, which means nothing can be done to alleviate the symptoms except rest and care.
In many cases, the vet will highly recommend reducing the amount of food your dog is consuming. This helps reduce the inflammation in your dog’s intestines. Over time, the infection is going to pass on its own, especially in a younger dog with an otherwise healthy immune system. As they get better, feel free to slowly ramp up their food intake.
Can Dogs Transmit The Coronavirus?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dogs aren’t capable of transmitting the coronavirus to humans through breathing or sneezing. Further studies show dogs also can’t spread the coronavirus to other pets (i.e. cats, dogs).
It’s important to note, dogs can still contract specific coronavirus including the Canine Respiratory Coronavirus, but this doesn’t relate to the latest coronavirus named COVID-19. As a result, COVID-19 cannot be transmitted to humans via dogs.
However, dogs can still be carriers of the coronavirus. How is this possible if they can’t transmit it by breathing, barking, or sneezing? In general, COVID-19 can spread after an infected individual sneezes into their hands, pets the dog, and another person pets the same dog before touching their mouth or nose. While this is a rare possibility, it’s still one to account for as a dog owner.
To stay safe, dog owners are highly recommended to wash their hands after taking the dog outside for a walk or after the dog has interacted with other humans during the day.
It’s also a good idea to clean your dog’s paws after coming back from a walk. This is a smart way to reduce the chances of germs spreading throughout the house as your dog walks around from room to room.
How To Keep Your Dog Safe
Since dogs can contract the coronavirus, it’s important to keep your dog safe by implementing precautionary measures.
A good starting point is to minimize their interaction with fecal matter and/or infected food bowls. Using the same food bowl at home can do this while making sure it is washed regularly.
Please note, the average dog-related case isn’t going to display symptoms until 4+ days have passed. This means a dog can be infected for 4 days before starting to show signs of illness caused by the coronavirus. This is why it’s recommended to maintain proper hygiene as a dog owner and keep your dog as clean as possible after going outside for a walk.
Any type of crowding and/or interaction with others can spread the virus. This is why it’s best to keep your dog safe and make sure to stay as clean as you can throughout the year.
With COVID-19 being a concern, it’s also important to stay safe as a human being, which means avoiding high-traffic areas such as hiking trails, dog parks, and other relevant public spaces. You should also focus on your dog’s behaviour outdoors when it comes to touching foreign objects (i.e. handrails, bins, benches) and what they are putting into their mouth. To do this, use proper leash control to ensure the dog doesn’t endanger itself. This is also why it’s smart to stay away from high-traffic areas as these places increase a dog’s exposure to foreign objects.
If your dog is going to eat or drink something, it should come from a personal dog bowl or water bottle. Never let the dog share a food bowl with another pet outdoors. This can become an easy way to contract the coronavirus.
Final Thoughts
In the end, yes dogs can contract the coronavirus but not what’s known as COVID-19.
Instead, your dog may end up being diagnosed with Pantropic Canine Coronavirus after displaying a specific set of symptoms. A qualified vet can only make this diagnosis with the right testing apparatus.
In general, please take precautions, keep your dog clean, and stay away from high-traffic areas.
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