The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made recommendations to pet owners during the coronavirus pandemic. The FDA recommends that pets do not interact with humans and other non-household pets.
Cats and dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic
The US Food and Drug Administration, in a letter published in late April, advises pet owners to limit their pets’ interactions with people and animals outside the household. It is recommended that dogs be led on a leash so that they avoid contact with others during walks. Cats should be kept indoors, and if they go for a walk, they should also be on a leash / harness and looked after by their owner.
The FDA also recommends dog owners avoid dog parks and other public places where large numbers of people and dogs are gathered.
These are preventive measures as there is no evidence that a pet can infect humans with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The FDA wrote in a statement that on the basis of the limited information available to date, the risk of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in pets is considered to be low. There is currently no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading COVID-19 contamination.
- Can dogs and cats catch the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?
Animals susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2
Cornell Feline Health Center director Bruce Kornreich said in an interview with Business Insider that the FDA’s recommendations are intended to stop potential infections in animals. The first reported animal infection with the coronavirus was a tiger in a zoo. Since then, four more tigers and three lions have also tested positive. In addition, COVID-19 has also been detected in one domestic cat in Hong Kong, one in Belgium and two in New York State.
Ferrets and some breeds of hamsters have also been shown to be susceptible to infection under laboratory conditions. No infection and no spread of infection was observed in tests carried out on pigs, ducks and chickens.
In addition, the coronavirus was also detected in three dogs, but FDA reports small studies suggest that dogs are less susceptible to infection than cats. All cats that fell ill have already recovered. They had similar symptoms to humans – fever, cough, trouble breathing, nasal discharge, vomiting and diarrhea.
The FDA is not calling for animals to be tested for the coronavirus, but recommends that if an animal experiences symptoms, contact a veterinarian. It is imperative to inform the doctor that there are positive COVID-19 cases in the home where the pet lives.
- What do dog and cat owners need to remember in the era of coronavirus?
There is no evidence that animals can transmit and infect humans with the coronavirus. However, people who have been confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 should limit interaction with their pets. While stroking or playing, virus particles can get on the hair of animals.
This by no means means that pets pose a threat to their owners. Limiting contact with people and animals from the outside is one of the forms of prevention.
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