Coronavirus and Your Pet
While the advice at the moment is that you cannot contract Coronavirus (COVID-19) from your pets, there are a number of things you can do to make sure that you stay as safe as possible.
Hygiene
The coronavirus has the capacity, certainly for short length of time, to survive in the fur. When you have touched your pet, be sure to wash your hands!
Also make any family members aware of this fact.
Try to avoid your pet licking you, especially the face and hands. Also keep them away from food and surfaces on which food is prepared and eaten.
Social Distancing
When going out with your pet exercise the social distancing rules, and it’s also a good idea not to have your pet coming into contact with other people in public. Avoiding places like Dog Parks would be a good way to implement caution.
As well as distancing from humans, keep away from companion animals that are not your own. You don’t know where they’ve been or what sort of contact they’ve had with people and potential carriers.
FAQs
Q: Do pets need to wear a mask?
A: Since pets cannot catch coronavirus, there is no need for them to wear a mask. It would also be highly distressing for them, and would be unlikely to stay in place correctly, thus rendering the mask useless.
Q: Are pet shops staying open even in lockdown?
A: As of 25/03, we have not been advised as to whether we are an “essential service”. We see the need of all pets are crucial, and hope the Australian government follows the example of the UK and US in classifying Pet Retail as ‘essential’.
Q: Can my pet stay with me in self-isolation?
A: Your pet can stay with you, but other people will need to get necessary supplies e.g. food, litter. In the case of an issue with your pet’s health, ring a Vet to find out what to do.
Q: Dogs and cats have been tested positive for coronavirus, why are you saying they cannot catch it?
A: The cases of the tests being ‘positive’ have not been conclusive because no symptoms were shown. There are also many varieties of coronavirus, some are seen in pets but not the COVID-19 strain.
Visit the World Organisation for Animal Health for further information and updates: https://www.oie.int/en/scientific-expertise/specific-information-and-recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus/
You can also visit: https://fluentwoof.com/dogs-coronavirus-covid-19/ for more information.
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