Please note, since this article was posted, The WHO has changed its position on coronavirus and dogs
Finally, some good news - there’s currently no evidence that dogs can be infected with the coronavirus according to the World Health Organization.
The announcement came yesterday and is a huge relief for many concerned pet owners.
With the public being encouraged to self-isolate and work from home if showing any symptoms linked to the virus, pet owners are understandably concerned about infecting their beloved animals.
But good news came yesterday as the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that,
“At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus.”
The WHO writes on the ‘Q&A’ section of their website that, “There is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as cats and dogs have been infected or could spread the virus that causes COVID-19.”
Last week, it was reported that a dog in Hong Kong, whose owner had a confirmed case of coronavirus, had tested “weakly positive” for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Since then, experts, including veterinarians and WHO, have said the virus might have been in the dog’s nose, but that doesn’t mean the dog had the coronavirus.
So, if you are one of the many pet owners who have been advised to stay home, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy snuggling up with your furry friends.
And if you are getting those snuggles in, WHO advises washing your hands with soap and water after contact with pets - just to be extra safe.