As COVID-19 cases continue to rise this fall, it can be easy to miss out on the signs your cat or dog is sick. Here's everything you need to know about COVID-19 & how to keep your pets safe.
With folks falling sick as we all return from vacation, it can be disheartening to check the news or hear from your loved ones that COVID-19 cases are rising again. But with that said, you might also be wondering: can pets get COVID? And if yes, how can you manage it?
In this post, we’ll answer your questions about dogs, cats, and the coronavirus below -plus, how you can spot an illness in your pet early on by tracking their daily activity, so you can get them to a vet much before they get worse. Let’s get started.
Yes – despite early reports, it’s now clear that both dogs and cats can be infected by COVID-19.1 There have been several cases documented in the United States and elsewhere. But on the bright side, it doesn’t seem to happen often. And even better, most pets infected with COVID-19 have only a mild illness and usually fully recover.1 It’s only in very rare cases that pets develop a serious illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.
Can my dog get COVID from me? Or my cat?
Yes. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 virus can spread from people to animals with close contact.2 This is usually a result of your dog or cat coming in close contact with someone already infected by the virus. So besides keeping your family and loved ones safe, do keep in mind that your pets are also vulnerable.
Can pets infect humans with COVID?
No. According to the CDC, there’s a low risk of people getting infected by the COVID-19 virus from pets. There’s also no evidence that the coronavirus can spread to people through your pet’s skin or fur.
However, the COVID-19 virus is most likely to be spread human to human, when germs are passed on via droplets while coughing, sneezing or speaking at a close distance. So the risk of animals passing on the virus to humans is now considered to be very low. At the same time, your dog or cat might pick up the virus if you cough or sneeze close to them – or they come close for a cuddle anyway.
That’s why the WHO still recommends washing hands with soap and water after contact with house pets, just to be on the safe side. That can also protect you from nasty bacteria like salmonella or e-coli. We know it’s tough, but this means it’s best to resist the urge to cuddle and comfort your furry friend in case they’re sick.
Now that we’ve answered the question, can pets get COVID, you may be wondering what you need to do in case your pet falls ill.
COVID-19 symptoms in dogs & cats
It can be hard to spot COVID-19 in dogs due to its symptoms being quite similar to the flu. Besides, it’s more likely that dogs and cats may experience a symptom-free version.
However, some symptoms experienced by a dog or cat with COVID-19 may be:
Consult your vet if you think your pet’s condition is getting worse
Generally, your pet can go back to their normal routine if:
They show no symptoms for at least 72 hours without medical care
And it’s been two weeks since their last positive test – or if follow up tests for an infection are negative.
What not to do if you think your pet has COVID-19
⚠️ Never surrender, euthanize, or abandon your pet in case they do get infected with COVID-19. The chances of them spreading the virus are low and you’re unlikely to get infected by them.
Also avoid putting a mask on your pets, as this might harm them over any good.
If you’ve tested positive for COVID and your pet becomes sick, it’s better not to take your pet to the vet by yourself. Rather, it’s better to call your vet, let them know you’re sick, and request if they can advise you over the phone or email. Your vet should be able to provide you some simple, practical steps for caring for your sick pet.
Do I need to tell someone if my dog or cat has COVID-19?
If your dog or cat has COVID, treat it the same way as if you’ve tested positive yourself. Inform your friends, family, or anyone else you know your pet might have interacted with. (So they can immediately get tested and seek treatment.)
The CDC doesn’t recommend routinely testing your pets for COVID. So if you’ve noticed any concerning signs, keep your vet in the loop. (Especially to rule out any other, seasonal respiratory illnesses.)
Did you know? Researchers in Dortmund are currently working on an electronic “Dog Nose” that can sniff out COVID-19.3 It’s a device with sensitive, dog-inspired sensors that can tell from your breath if you might have the virus.
What to do if I need to isolate myself?
As a pet parent, it’s good to prep ahead for your four-legged friend as well as for yourself. Here’s some advice from RSPCA UK:
“While you are ill, another member of your household will need to take care of your animals.
They will need to follow good hygiene practices washing their hands thoroughly after contact and any of their items e.g. bedding, food bowls.“
If you’re living on your own, or need support outside of your household, it’s best to designate friends, family members or neighbors who can help in advance. But if that’s not an option, you can look into trustworthy pet sitting sites like Petsit or Pawshake. Community Facebook groups are also worth looking into.
Need support? You can always contact animal charities like ASPCA or Dog’s Trust UK to get some guidance.
Don’t forget: Have all your dog or cat’s medication and diet needs, veterinary details – and any other important information – all in one place so you can share quickly if needed.
Do pets need to go into isolation as well?
Depending on your pet’s symptoms, your vet might advise you to isolate your pet at home. And as with humans, the isolation period is 2 weeks. But if isolating at home isn’t an option, consider finding a veterinary facility near you that offers isolation units.
If you’re able to care for your pet at home, keep them in a secure, familiar environment.
Do your best not to let them out, except to get medical care.
Treat them like another sick family member at home and take the same precautions. (Like wearing a mask, using gloves when interacting with your pet, and washing your hands frequently.)
Above all, do your best not to let your pet wander – yes, even if they’re an outdoor pet.
“Cats should be kept inside.
Do not allow cats that have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 to roam outside.”
💡 Isolating indoors with your pet doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! Plus, it gives you some one on one time with your four-legged buddy, which is good for both of you.
While researchers around the world have some promising results, most vets don’t consider it necessary to vaccinate pets against COVID.5
Even the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not currently approving any pet vaccines for COVID.6 Why? Because there’s simply little to no evidence that dogs and cats play such a major role in spreading the virus. So any such vaccine wouldn’t bring much value from a public health standpoint.
How can I tell if my dog or cat is sick – if they seem normal?
Usually, one of the first signs your pet isn’t feeling well is if they seem less active than usual. They might be more reluctant to go for walks or play together – and you might notice them napping more. (Or even retreating to hide more than usual.)
It’s why vets recommend tracking your pet’s activity levels, or how much they can keep up with you. This can help you catch on to a dip in their regular activity early on – and get your dog or cat the help they need before their health takes a turn for the worse.
“Keep track of your dog’s energy levels, especially how long they are able to walk.
If you notice significant declines, it could be a sign of pain, heart disease, or other illness.”
Now you could jot down your pet’s symptoms in a journal to share with your vet.
💡Or you could go for the actionable data you get from an Activity Tracker built for pets – and never risk missing out a day of tracking or forgetting some important details.
🐶 With its built-in motion detector, your trusty Tractive GPS doubles as an Activity Tracker for dogs and cats. Picking up on your pet’s movements throughout the day as active minutes.
So even if your dog or cat doesn’t show any COVID-19 symptoms, you can still pick up whether:
There’s a weird drop in their activity, which persists over several days
All of which can help you have a more productive conversation with your vet.
Get health alerts for your cat
Our cats can’t always tell us if something’s wrong. But if their tracker detects unusual changes in their routine, you’ll get an alert, helping you catch potential issues early.
Stay informed & keep your pets safe – no matter the season
It’s been a while since the dark days of the early pandemic – but it’s always smart to stay informed and careful. Especially when it comes to your dog or cat who relies entirely on you to keep them safe.
So in a nutshell:
Yes, pets can get COVID-19 from humans via droplets spread from close contact.
No, neither dogs nor cats are likely to spread COVID-19 to humans.
If you suspect your pet has COVID-19, call your vet right away. You might need to isolate your pet for at least a week or so. However, if they’ve gone around 3 days without symptoms (and medical care), or their last positive test was over 2 weeks ago.
In all cases, take the same precautions around your pet as you would around a sick family member.
Avoid putting a mask on your dog or cat. It’s more likely to harm them – or give them a bad case of stress.
Never surrender a pet that’s tested positive for COVID-19.
No, your pet most likely doesn’t need a COVID-19 vaccine, since they’re a relatively low public health risk.
Avoid letting your pet wander outdoors until they fully recover – yes, even if they’re an outdoor dog or cat.
And most importantly…
Take an active role in your pet’s health by monitoring their activity and preventing them from wandering outdooors.
Our pups can’t always tell us if something’s wrong. But if their tracker detects unusual changes in their routine, you’ll get an alert, helping you catch potential issues early.
Here are some more tips on how to keep your pet healthy during COVID season from Dr. Lera from Heron Lakes Animal Hospital:
We’re always doing our best to keep this guide up to date. However, this is a fast-moving topic, so we’ll consistently update it as new information arises. This also lets us make sure it’s accurate, safe and helpful to you.
And if you found this article helpful, share it with your fellow pet parents. So you can build a healthy community and keep each other informed – for pets and pet parents both.
Your furry friend’s health and wellbeing means as much as to us as it does to you. So we’ve made it a priority to only share medically-relevant content on our blog.
This post was checked, double-checked, and medically verified by Georgia-based vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Alleyne began his career at a no-kill animal shelter before becoming a licensed veterinary technician. He graduated from Cornell University Veterinary College in 2006 and completed an internship at Purdue University.
Now practicing in Georgia, Dr. Alleyne specializes in soft tissue surgery and ultrasounds. He also writes pet health articles on his website, “The Animal Doctor Blog” (www.anmldrblog.com).
Approved by Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM 
