Can You Get COVID-19 from a Cat or a Dog?

No, not exactly. I am much more concerned about getting this virus from someone who is sick—or is asymptomatic and shedding virus.

Some key points about pets

Cats and dogs do not get COVID-19 disease. So, they don’t carry the virus in their bodies the way humans do.

People get infected when droplets containing COVID-19 virus come in contact with their eyes, lining of the nose or throat.

The only way a pet could transmit COVID-19 virus to a person is if:

• An infected person coughs on a pet

• The droplets with live virus land on the fur of the animal

• You then pet the fur with the droplets containing live virus, and then rub your eyes or nose with virus on the animals fur

Complicated, don’t you think? I wouldn’t worry about cats and dogs and COVID. Instead,

• stay away from crowds

• stay home

• no unnecessary travel

• pet the cat!!

Our cat, Dreyfus is learning the art of social distancing