COVID-19: Coronavirus and Pets

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things for most people. In fact, if you’re like a lot of us, you may feel like the world has been turned upside down over the past year! It has pet owners wondering if they should be behaving differently. Can pets get the virus? Can they spread it? What precautions are necessary to keep pets and their owners and neighbors safe?

Here’s the good news: it’s extremely rare for pets to become infected with COVID-19. A small number of animals have gotten the virus from contact with humans, and of those pets, most have only had a mild illness, and all have fully recovered. What’s more, there’s no evidence to indicate that pets have a significant role in spreading the virus. There’s not much you need to do to make sure you and your pet stay safe. What steps should you take?

• Keep your pets safe by limiting their interaction with people and animals outside of your household. Don’t let them roam freely, and keep cats inside. When you’re out on a walk with your dogs, practice social distancing for you and for your furry family members, maintaining a distance of at least six feet.
• Don’t do anything strange in a misguided attempt to protect your pet. Pets can’t wear masks- that could be harmful. There’s no evidence of the virus spreading from the fur or skin of pets, so don’t worry about wiping your pet down with sanitizing products. Just keep up with regular grooming and wash your hands after interacting with your pet.
• Communicate with your veterinarian. If a pet or owner has been exposed to COVID-19, it’s important for the veterinarian to know this before any appointment. If you’re sick and your pet needs to be seen, have someone else take the pet to the appointment.

At Reed Animal Hospital, we treat your pets as if they were our own. Our goal is to help you and your pet enjoys a healthy, fulfilling life together, so our extraordinary team offers a wide range of services. We’ve got veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and receptionists, all prepared to help you and your pet. For more information or to make an appointment, call us in Campbell at 408-369-1788, or in Saratoga at 408-647-2906, or contact us through our website.