Lockdowns are easing in many countries, and we are heading out again to walk our dogs. What can/should we be doing to stay safe? As the SARS-CoV-2 virus was apparently an animal (bat?) virus in the first place, can our pets get/spread it? I’ve had worried dog owners asking me this question #askascientist almost every day on DMs on Sally’s IG account @scotlandwithfluffywolf. So, I thought it was time to put my thoughts down in a blog post.

Personally, I’m terrified of getting the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19. The virus is properly called SARS-CoV-2, the disease it causes is Covid-19, but as SARS-CoV-2 is a bit of a mouthful most media outlets are now calling the virus Covid-19. I’m going to do the same just for simplicity.

I have every reason to believe my family and myself would be high risk of requiring hospitalization were we to get sick with Covid-19, but I’m not worried about my dog Sally becoming ill. Let me try to explain why I think this way #trustmeiamimmunologist.

Can Dogs Get Covid-19?

Currently there is no evidence that dogs can become ill with Covid-19. Dogs can contract a dog-specific corona virus (which causes flu like symptoms) but do not appear to be carriers for the current human pandemic strain.

Let me repeat that:

There is NO EVIDENCE DOGS CAN GET SICK FROM COVID-19!

What About The Dog(s) That Caught The Virus?

Ah yes, you might have seen the news reports of occasional dogs, cats, mink, and the big cats in the Bronx zoo testing positive for Covid-19. Worldwide there’s been a handful of well-studied cases of dogs who have tested positive for the virus after living in close proximity with infected owners. These dogs have shown no signs of illness, and it’s not thought that they had a large enough viral load to be able to re-infect other humans or dogs. Up-to-date information on one such case, and Covid-19 risk to pets can be found at the WSAVA website and in a more readable and less technical form by University of Illinois Vet School and the UK Kennel Club.

Can I Still Hug My Dog?

I get this question more than any other. It seems when we’ve been told to minimise contact with other humans, we all crave doggie snuggles!

I’d say: YES, but WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST if you have been in contact with anyone else/out of your own home. The virus can persist on surfaces, including soft furnishings, so there is no reason to assume that it couldn’t persist on dog hair. If anyone carrying the virus hugged your dog, then the next person to stroke your dog could also be infected. I am limiting contact with my dog to immediate members of my family/household. As I just said, if an infected person cuddled your dog, they may leave virus particles on the fur, ready to infect you. Similarly, if you are a carrier, you could pass on the virus to other people who cuddle your dog (why you shouldn’t get a friend to walk your dog if you are home sick).

Can My Dog Play With Other Dogs?

See above. It’s a very low risk but still a risk. If the owners of either dog were virus carriers, this *could* spread through contact from the dog’s fur. There have been no documented cases of this happening, but it can’t be ruled out as a potential transmission route .

What About Masks?

Your own mask probably doesn’t protect YOU from becoming infected. Everyone else’s mask protects you. Non-medical face-coverings reduce the virus droplets spread by an infected person as they breathe out. So if everyone wears a mask, the spread is reduced. As your dog isn’t infected, there’s no reason for them to wear a mask. I’ve seen a few reports from animal charities saying dogs will be scared of face-masks and giving advice on how to acclimate your dog to seeing you wearing a mask. Maybe my dog isn’t particularly visually stimulated (compared to sound and smell), as she’s shown no interest/worry/change in her behaviour around mask-wearing as opposed to unmasked people. But like everything, introduce the mask to your dog in a calm environment, and give them a chance to get used to seeing your new normal.

Can My Dog Travel On Public Transport?

The same as for yourself, try to minimise your dog’s exposure to public places. This includes public transport (in countries where dogs are usually permitted), cafes, busier areas etc. If you must travel, then minimise your dog’s contact with potentially infected surfaces. Put down a towel or mat, or wipe clean the area, or if you have a smaller dog then carry them in a bag or carrier. Wipe their paws and wash your hands as soon after travel as you can and wash any mat or towel you used while travelling.

I Wash My Hands When I Return Home, Should I Wash My Dog Too?

Always wash your hands EVERY time you return home. This is the single most effective way to reduce your virus risk. Also take off your shoes and leave them at the door, and take off any outer clothing you were wearing. It probably isn’t practical or needful to wash your dog every time they’ve been outside, plus it’s likely to cause them skin irritation. However, washing their feet in a bowl of soapy water/dog safe shampoo won’t hurt and could help. Alternatively, if you have them, get your dog to wear booties outside and wash the booties on your return.

Can My Dog Use Alcohol Hand Sanitiser?

Frankly I wouldn’t. The alcohol will dry out their skin and may cause itching. If ingested it could cause alcohol poisoning. A quick paw-wash with dog friendly shampoo would be a better idea, or wash/spray with Leucillin antiseptic spray which has been shown to neutralise Covid-19 in laboratory tests.

I’m Self-Isolating. Should My Dog Isolate With Me?

Yes. If you need to separate yourself from the world, then your dog should be kept separate too. Depending on your reasons for isolation you MAY be able to walk/have someone walk your dog during this time. If you are isolating because you think you may be infectious, take your dog into isolation with you (no outdoor access except for potty breaks, ideally in a private garden). If you are isolating because you are in a high-risk group and have no wish to get sick, then both you and your dog will benefit from some fresh air and exercise. Or you could ask someone to walk your dog for you. You should always avoid unnecessary contact with other people and do not let anyone touch your dog, and don’t touch anyone else’s pets.

Help! My Dog is Getting Bored Staying Home…

Put aside time every day to focus on your pet (just as you would if you were going a walk). Play training games, and/or use puzzle toys if you have them. Make a puzzle toy by putting dog treats underneath a towel, or under tennis balls placed in a muffin tray. Play scent work games (hide a toy and reward them when they find it). Play tug. If all else fails, then brush the dog! Seriously, brush the dog, Sal has never been as well groomed as she was during our lockdown. It’s a calming and bonding experience if you choose a brush or comb that doesn’t tug, just brush or stroke lightly over their body until they get used to the grooming sensations.

If I’m Sick, Who Will Care For My Dog?

This is a big worry for me. Normally I’d ask my immediate family. If we were all to get seriously sick, then they’d be unavailable to help. Luckily, I have my dog’s breeder and Samoyed-loving friends who would step in. Do you have a “next-of-kin” for your dog? Do your friends/family know who this is? Now would be a very good time to decide on who you’d trust to look after your pets in an emergency. Maybe reach out to a dog-walking friend who lives nearby and suggest that you could be doggy next-of-kin for each other?

Are Vets And Pet Shops Open?

Vets: I can’t answer this. It depends on where you live and your vet practice. Here, most are open for essential visits but you are asked to wait outside and a staff member will come out and collect your pet for treatment.

Pet Shops: in the UK these are classed as essential shops so have (mostly) remained open. Many have restricted opening hours and may be selling from the shop doorway. Check online or phone them before making a visit. Dog groomers are beginning to open again. Sal’s favourite local pet stores Harry’s Treats, House of Hound, and Dofos are all open, and will take online or phone orders if you don’t want to shop in person. At the moment Dofos offer free next-day delivery within Edinburgh which has come to the aid of a hungry Sal more than once, when we’ve been about to run out of frozen duck necks (yes, in our house, that constitutes a crisis!). Sal’s main food is raw complete mince from Bella and Duke and their deliveries have been operating normally. So even during lockdown #thedogeatsbetterthanido.

What About The Cat?

What about them?

No, seriously, are cats at risk/a risk to you regarding Covid-19 transmission? Probably more so than dogs; cats (and ferrets) seem to be at slightly higher risk of contracting and transmitting Covid-19 (to other cats or ferrets, no cases (yet) where they’ve passed the virus back to humans or onto dogs). The risks are exceedingly low. Worldwide there have been over 18 million (3rd August 2020) human confirmed cases of the virus whereas only 18 reports of infected animals.

I’d be taking the same precautions with a pet cat as with my dog – minimising contact with other people. But, if ever you needed an excuse that a dog is a better pet choice than a cat – there you have it!

In Summary:  

• WASH HANDS
• WASH PAWS
• DON’T TOUCH other dogs/let other people touch your dog
• STAY AWAY from crowded areas if you can
• HAVE A DOGGIE NEXT OF KIN. Make sure you have left clear instructions for who you’d wish to look after your dog
• YOUR DOG DOESN’T NEED A FACEMASK – but YOU DO!
• Your vet and your favourite pet store are probably still open.
• Watch out for the cat
• Wash your hands again!

Good luck, stay safe and together we’ll all get through this.

Any stories of how you are staying safe, good ideas for doggie brain-training games, or if you just want to chat dog-related topics, as always you can leave a comment or come say hello on my dog’s Instagram @scotlandwithfluffywolf.