Your pets are important members of your family, so while the isolated incidents of animals becoming infected with COVID-19 across various parts of the world may be concerning, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is encouraging pet owners to exercise caution and responsible cleaning habits, and that there’s no reason to consider giving up your pet.
For starters, AVMA stated this week that there’s “little to no evidence” that pets can become ill from the virus or even spread it to humans. However, if you are infected with the virus, AVMA recommends utilizing an abundance of caution by having another member of your household or family take care of the pet. If the pet stays at home, wear a cloth face-mask and do not give food or physical affection to the pet, just to be safe. Additionally, do not share dishes, utensils, towels, bedding, etc. with your pet.
When making those stockpiling trips to the grocery stores to pick up necessities, AVMA also recommends picking up extra pet food – at least two weeks’ worth, as well as extra medications, to prepare for quarantines and self-isolation.
For right now, the only reason a pet should be removed from a household affected by COVID-19 is if the pet can no longer be cared for appropriately, AVMA states. Otherwise, your pet can continue to be there for you just as always.
It should also be noted that, as of Tuesday afternoon, there are
over 330,000
confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States, but not a single confirmed case involving a pet cat or dog.
More information on COVID-19 and pets can be found online on
AVMA’s website
.
