With the images of dogs wearing face masks popping in our social streams, and countless WhatsApp threads giving wind to miracle cures of every kind – many pet owners were left wondering – can dogs get coronavirus?

In early March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 novel coronavirus as a global pandemic. The ensuing panic over the spread of the virus saw people and policymakers resort to all sorts of measures — sealing borders, hoarding toilet paper, flocking to the internet (and rumor mills mulling probable solutions), etc.

Many people in worst-hit towns of China abandoned their pets or were forced to do so as Covid-19 cases grew in numbers. Left to their own sans food to last for an extended run, many fear that they would be starving.

To make matters worse, counties in Hunan are terminating pets found in public places. Thankfully, there are volunteer networks and NGOs working to rescue the pets to safety.

Can dogs get coronavirus?

Media outlets and people have used “coronavirus” and “COVID-19″ interchangeably but it isn’t one and the same. Coronavirus isn’t something new but refers to a group of viruses that are known to cause respiratory issues ― like the common cold ― to more serious symptoms that can lead to hospitalization, like lung problems.

COVID-19 is a ‘novel coronavirus’ meaning it’s a new type of coronavirus that was not previously known or understood by health experts.

As per the WHO, your pets can’t transmit coronavirus. Dogs can contract certain types of coronaviruses, such as the canine respiratory coronavirus, but this specific novel coronavirus, aka COVID-19, is believed to not be a threat to dogs.

The World Health Organization has stated, “While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.”

The 17-year-old Pomeranian in Hong Kong had since tested negative after quarantine and the authorities believe the dog contracted “low-level infection” COVID-19 from its owner, but there is “no evidence” pets transmit the virus to humans.

How to Protect yourself against COVID-19

Follow basic hygienic precautions like:

Wash your hands often with soap and water or a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Keep social distancing. Stay home when you are sick or have a fever. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Yes, that work table too.

Here's requesting all the kind-hearts on Twitter who look after stray animals, please leave out water & food for them when you go out – they may be starving and wouldn't know where to go. 🙏🐕 https://t.co/OuDCNEgbfN#coronavirusinindia #Coronaindia #CoronavirusOutbreakindia — Abhishek Joshi (@kaalicharan) March 19, 2020

Working from home? Here are some tips to groom your dog at home

Covid-19 pet care tips

There is no reason to change daily routines with pets while people remain healthy and symptom-free. Dogs are our friends through thick and thin, and we’ll see through the crisis together.

Look out for the exercise regimen of your dogs – if you are in a relatively safer area, take your dog out, practise social distancing during your walks. In case, you are in a high alert area, please try indoor activities to channel your pet’s energy.

Please keep your pets under your watch during the walks to enable social distancing when in public.

Try avoiding all non-critical vet trips. For all non-urgent health issues, please see if calls or online consultation may help.

Prepare for the worst – If in the god-forbidden scenario you get hold of the dreaded disease, what happens to your pet? Scary, right? Please make the necessary preparations – back up options – caretakers, extended family, food and exercise needs of your pet.

Should my dog wear a mask?

Experts believe that dogs do not need a face mask to protect themselves against the novel coronavirus COVID-19. If you are still concerned or notice a change in your dog’s health, speak to a veterinarian.

How dogs are helping to detect COVID-19?

Researchers at the National Veterinary School of Alfort, outside Paris, trained eight Belgian Malinois shepherd dogs to identify people infected with the coronavirus. They used odour samples taken from the armpits of more than 360 people, who were both positive and negative for the virus.

The dogs had a 95% success rate in early trials.

The researchers said introducing dog detection was a cheap, quick and reliable “tool”.

Here are some movies, documentaries, and books that you can enjoy with your dog while you work from home.

So stay safe, wash your hands, and pet your dog. And don’t fall prey to rumors. Did I say Never and I mean EVER abandon your dog, cat or other pets because of coronavirus fear or for any other reason for that matter.

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