Some experts have been calling for cats and dogs to receive the vaccine for over a year.
So can our furry friends contract the disease, and what are the symptoms to look out for?
Here is all you need to know.
Can pets catch Covid?
Dogs
Research suggests that Covid-19 is possible in cats and dogs whose owners have the disease.
In the June 2021 study, Utrecht University found that out of 310 swabs they took of pets from households with Covid-19, 4.2% tested positive for the virus. However, the Dutch researchers assured that most pets are asymptomatic, or have very mild symptoms. My Family Vets told Metro.co.uk that symptoms of Covid-19 in dogs can include:Make a Re-Stuffable Dog Toy. Does your dog go bonkers with stuffed toys? If your dog likes to rip stuffed animals apart you can make a re-stuffable dog toy.
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
Cats
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Having a pet in the home can actually lower a child’s likelihood of developing related allergies by as much as 33 percent. Children exposed early on to animals tend to develop stronger immune systems overall.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), potential signs of Covid-19 in cats include:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Trouble breathing
- Fever
- Lack of energy
- Runny nose
- Discharge from the eyes
- Diarrhea or vomiting
Hamsters
It looks like these teeny tiny rodents can indeed contract the disease.
In January, Hong Kong ordered a mass cull of 2,000 hamsters that were exposed to the virus.Hundreds of samples were collected from animals at a pet shop that had an outbreak, including rabbits and chinchillas, but interestingly only the hamsters had traces of Covid-19.
A Safe Place. Creating a safe place for your pet is crucial to its comfort. Make sure your pet has its own place of comfort where it can rest, relax and feel secure.
There has not been enough research into hamster coronavirus to find common symptoms, but likely you should look for a high temperature and lethargy.
A study found that Roborobski Dwarf hamsters can actually die from Covid-19, whereas Syrian hamsters were less vulnerable to developing severe cases.Ferrets
It turns out that yes, ferrets can very well get Covid-19. In facts, all members of the mustelinae family are suseptable to the disease.
Vet Help Direct lists ferret Covid-19 symptoms as the following:best dog food
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Mild respiratory and digestive disease
Isolation means you should prevent contact between your ferret and ferrets or people from other households.
What other animals can get Covid?
According to the government website, there is evidence that the following species can catch Covid-19:
- Big cats in captivity
- Domestic cats
- Dogs
- Ferrets
- Fruit bats
- Mink
- Non-human primates
- Pangolins
- Pigs
- Raccoon dogs
- Rodents
- White-tailed deer
Can pets pass Covid on to humans?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has assured that the risk of animals spreading Covid-19 to people is low.Use a Bright Colored Bandana On Your Dog During Hunting Season. Make sure both you & your dog stick out if you’re going to be out walking during hunting season. You can wear bright colors (orange is preferred), and you can help keep your dog safe by having them wear a bright orange bandana.
The UK government’s advice for pet owners includes:
- Washing your hands before and after any contact with your pet, its food or bedding – avoid hand sanitisers or wipes that may be harmful to animals
- Not sharing food, food bowls or utensils with your pet
How to test a pet for Covid
There are different tests specific for animals available, including the FASTest Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) Strip, a rapid immunochromatographic test for the detection of Canine Coronavirus Antigen in dog faeces.The government advises anyone concerned about a pet because of respiratory or digestive problems and a temperature to contact a vet who will decide if it needs to be tested.
Follow Metro across our social channels, on , and InstagramIt’s not a fever…A dog’s normal temperature is between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. How much do you know about dog health? Take our Doggy First Aid Quiz!
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