You could probably relate to this if you have a pet, in the house of your friend you are having a barbecue in the backyard. Everybody is wearing a face mask and is adequately distant from each other.  Yet your dog goes on running up to you everyone present there and just begs them to pet it. What are you going to do? Keeping in mind the nature of dogs, COVID-19 and dogs aren’t the best suited for each other.

Thankfully, there is no evidence that your fuzzy companion and other animals play a major role in transferring COVID-2 to humans. Do not hesitate to give the dog a scratch on its back, but then wash your hands afterward. Read more if you are seeking an answer to the question, ‘Can dogs transmit COVID-19?’

Can Dogs Transmit the Covid-19 Virus?

There is no solid proof that pets and other animals play a major role in extending the SARS coV 2 to humans, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source. This means that your pet has a low chance of acquiring COVID 19.

The number of animals contracted by Covid is very limited relative to humans. As of June 2020, less than 25 pets had been found positive worldwide for the outbreak, according to the report by the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates (AVMA).

COVID-19 and dogs have since been identified together, but there are still extremely limited numbers. Confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals are being tracked by the Department Of Agriculture. While your pet’s risk of getting COVID-19 is extremely low, maintaining proper hygiene with animal and pet animals is still necessary. It is because other diseases can be transmitted to humans through animals.

Safe Grooming Considerations for Animals

Here are the 4 important points you need to take care of you have a dog

1. Clean your hands

Wash your hands after petting or handling an animal, their toys,, or waste. It is of significant relevance in some groups of animals, including reptiles and amphibians, birds, rodents, etc. that are much more likely to carry germs.

2. Keep things clean

Animals can transmit germs via their feces or urine, so cleaning up the place after your pet is vital. You can clean up your dog excretes, clean the litter box of your cat, wipe the cage of your pet bird regularly, etc.

3. Separate

Keep the food, toys, and supplies of an animal away from where food can be placed or prepared.

4. Treat scratches and bites

Always disinfect the area quickly with warm water and soap if you are scratched or bitten by an animal. Seek care if the injury is severe or the animal seems sickly.

Can People Transmit COVID-19 to Pets?

You could really spread COVID to your domesticated animal. Indeed, the majority of animal infections occurred in connection with a pet who has COVID. In May 2020, an early report was published on the virus in a pet. Two of the 15 household dogs with confirmed COVID-19 cases were found to have tested positive for the COVID virus. Both dogs did not have COVID symptoms.

There have been additional news stories. These include news stories from two cats and indeed a dog that was near with a COVID-19 infected person and ultimately contracted the COVID virus. The symptoms were very mild.

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Animal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 has been tested in the 2020 study. In total, 47 household animals were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. 10 of these animals (21.3%), eight cats and two dogs were detected to have the COVID antibodies. There are currently very low numbers of animals reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. Many animals with the virus have no COVID-19 symptoms. Moreover, no animals have yet been killed by COVID

If you feel your pet has COVID-19, what should you do?

Call your doctor to discuss the next steps if you believe that your pet has COVID-19. During the pandemic, many vets will be offered telephone or telemedicine. If you already have COVID-19, do not send your pet to the doctor yourself.

COVID-19 testing for pets is available, but Regular testing is currently not recommended. If your pet has COVID-19 symptoms and is in touch with anyone with COVID-19, your veterinarian might require a test.

Taking Care of a COVID-19 Positive Dog

Many animals suffering from COVID-19 have moderate symptoms and should be taken care of at home, although COVID-19 and dogs have been associated in extremely rare scenarios. If your animal has tested for COVID do as follows:

1. Keep your dog at home

Do not take your pet out to public places such as local parks, daycares for animals, or groomers. Walk your dogs on a leash and keep it about six feet from anyone if you have no personal backyard.

2. Isolate your dog

Keep your dog separated from other people and animals in your home in a separate space. When they recover, wear a mask when you take their care but remember to restrict physical touch as much as possible

3. Disinfect and clean

Keep washing the waste of your animal regularly and always wear gloves while doing so. Disinfect bowls and toys and afterward rinse them with hot water. Clean your hands again and again.

4. Clean soft toys and other items

It is safe to clean the bedding or toys of your dog or other pet with the rest of your laundry. There is no proof that animals can give or transmit SARS-CoV-2 to humans at present. That being said, if animals have direct contact with anyone tested positive for COVID-19, they can contract the virus.

You should take precautions to avoid your pet from contracting the virus. These include limiting the interaction of the pets with people in your home. Avoid busy or public spaces and restrict pet interaction if you have contracted COVID-19.

Many animals that are infected with the infection may not have signs or have symptoms that are very faint and can easily recover at home itself. If your animal has the symptoms of COVID-19 and someone who had COVID-19 has been around him, call your doctor for further advice.

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