Here’s What You Need To Know About the Coronavirus and Your Pet

As the world continues to navigate this unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, pet owners can’t help but wonder how it all affects their pets. At Healthy Spot, our mission is to inspire healthy pet lifestyles, and that includes through the good times and the “ruff” times. In this article, we wanted to provide our community with the latest information regarding pets and coronavirus, plus share our suggestions for keeping your pet busy while social distancing. 

Questions about coronavirus and your pet answered

Using resources from the Center for Disease Control (CDC,) the World Health Organization (WHO,) the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA,) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA,) we are helping to answer the most frequently asked questions about coronavirus and your pets.

Can pets transmit Coronavirus?

According to the CDC and WHO, there is no evidence at this time that pets can spread COVID-19. While the WHO noted that the coronavirus is zoonotic (a disease that can be transmitted from animals to people,) there is no evidence that pets can spread COVID-19.

But what about that Pomeranian in Hong Kong?

While there has been one instance of a dog in Hong Kong testing positive for COVID-19, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit coronavirus. This dog was tested as “weakly positive” for the virus, but blood tests came back negative. 

Should I limit contact with pets, even if I am not sick?

If you are not sick, it is safe to be around pets. You should, however, limit kissing and make sure to wash your hands before and after interaction with pets out of an abundance of caution.

Is it okay to interact with my pet if I test positive for COVID-19?

To be extra cautious, it is not recommended those who tested positive for COVID-19 should not interact with pets. If it is absolutely critical that you interact with your pet while you are sick, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before and after the interaction and avoid kissing, snuggling and petting.

Is it expected that there will be shortages of pet food?

At this time, Healthy Spot does not have any concerns with pet food shortages. Our stores are expected to remain fully stocked, plus you can shop at Healthyspot.com or on Instacart, where you can order many of your favorite brands to be delivered directly to your home. If the status of this changes, we will be sure to inform our customers as soon as possible. 

Where can I stay up-to-date on the latest news about COVID-19 and my pets?

The websites we suggest visiting include the CDC, the WHO, the USDA and the AVMA. All of these have robust information about pets and coronavirus and they are updating information as soon as it becomes available.

We hope that we’ve helped to calm any concerns you may have around pets and coronavirus. Have any other questions? Feel free to leave a comment and we’ll get back to you! Our stores are still open for business - please call your local spot to check their hours. You can also place a phone order with curbside pick up or home delivery by calling your local store.