Can pets catch Covid?

Cat and dog
Are these furry friends at risk? (Picture: Getty)
The UK is a nation of animal lovers , and so it is only natural that many are concerned that our beloved pets could catch Covid-19.

Some experts have been calling for cats and dogs to receive the vaccine for over a year.

So can our furry friends contract the disease, and what are the symptoms to look out for?

Here is all you need to know.

Can pets catch Covid?

Dogs

Research suggests that Covid-19 is possible in cats and dogs whose owners have the disease.

Sick dog
Yes, dogs can get Covid-19 (Picture: Getty)

Make Your Own Pet Bed Out of a Sweatshirt. Want to give your dog a nice comfy spot to sleep without having to buy a dog bed from the store? Make them this super cool dog bed out of a sweatshirt & pillow.

In the June 2021 study, Utrecht University found that out of 310 swabs they took of pets from households with Covid-19, 4.2% tested positive for the virus. However, the Dutch researchers assured that most pets are asymptomatic, or have very mild symptoms. My Family Vets told Metro.co.uk that symptoms of Covid-19 in dogs can include:
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal discharge
Symptoms usually persist for 1-2 weeks.

Cats

Cat getting checked by a vet
Cats are suseptable to the disease (Picture: Getty)
As mentioned above, the Utrecht University found that cats can also get the virus – however, at a rate slightly lower than dogs. A study run by the University of Guelph in Canada found cats that slept on their owner’s bed seemed to be at particular risk of infection.

Dog Got Stung? Remove the Stinger with a Credit Card. When you try to pick out a stinger from your dog you risk leaving part of it in the skin. Remove stingers by scraping them with a straight edge – like the side of a credit card.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), potential signs of Covid-19 in cats include:

  • Coughing or sneezing
  • Trouble breathing
  • Fever
  • Lack of energy
  • Runny nose
  • Discharge from the eyes
  • Diarrhea or vomiting

Hamsters

hamster in his cage
Marshmallow the hamster plays in his cage one last time before officials take him away (Picture: BERTHA WANG/AFP via Getty Images)

It looks like these teeny tiny rodents can indeed contract the disease.

In January, Hong Kong ordered a mass cull of 2,000 hamsters that were exposed to the virus.

Hundreds of samples were collected from animals at a pet shop that had an outbreak, including rabbits and chinchillas, but interestingly only the hamsters had traces of Covid-19.

Use a teapot to rinse dogs off in the bathtub without getting water and soap in their eyes.

There has not been enough research into hamster coronavirus to find common symptoms, but likely you should look for a high temperature and lethargy.

A study found that Roborobski Dwarf hamsters can actually die from Covid-19, whereas Syrian hamsters were less vulnerable to developing severe cases.

Ferrets

sleepy ferret
Ferrets can catch Covid-19 (Picture: Getty)
It is very well documented that minks can catch coronavirus, with Denmark having to cull 17 million of them in 2020 , but what about their domesticated counterparts?

It turns out that yes, ferrets can very well get Covid-19. In facts, all members of the mustelinae family are suseptable to the disease.

Chase that tail! Dogs chase their tails for a variety of reasons: curiosity, exercise, anxiety, predatory instinct or, they might have fleas! If your dog is chasing his tail excessively, talk with your vet.

Vet Help Direct lists ferret Covid-19 symptoms as the following:
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Mild respiratory and digestive disease
The government website states that you should isolate your ferret for 21 days if you or your household are self-isolating, or if you’ve brought your ferret to England from outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).

Isolation means you should prevent contact between your ferret and ferrets or people from other households.

What other animals can get Covid?

According to the government website, there is evidence that the following species can catch Covid-19:

  • Big cats in captivity
  • Domestic cats
  • Dogs
  • Ferrets
  • Fruit bats
  • Mink
  • Non-human primates
  • Pangolins
  • Pigs
  • Raccoon dogs
  • Rodents
  • White-tailed deer

Can pets pass Covid on to humans?

A Wagging Tail Does Not Always Equal a Happy Dog. Don’t approach a strange dog just because it’s wagging it’s tail. Tail wagging isn’t always the universal sign of happiness – it can also indicate fear or insecurity. Be sure to teach your children about the basics of dog bite prevention.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has assured that the risk of animals spreading Covid-19 to people is low.

The UK government’s advice for pet owners includes:

  • Washing your hands before and after any contact with your pet, its food or bedding – avoid hand sanitisers or wipes that may be harmful to animals
  • Not sharing food, food bowls or utensils with your pet
My Family Vets confirmed to Metro.co.uk that there’s no evidence that pets can transmit the disease from one human to another.

How to test a pet for Covid

There are different tests specific for animals available, including the FASTest Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) Strip, a rapid immunochromatographic test for the detection of Canine Coronavirus Antigen in dog faeces.

The government advises anyone concerned about a pet because of respiratory or digestive problems and a temperature to contact a vet who will decide if it needs to be tested.

Growing up. While the Chow Chow dogs are well known for their distinctive blue-black tongues, they’re actually born with pink tongues. They turn blue-black at 8-10 weeks of age.

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