SARS-CoV-2 in animals

Some animals with SARS-CoV-2 may have signs of illness, while others may not. For animals with signs, these can include a combination of the following:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
• Lethargy
• Sneezing
• Discharge from the nose or eyes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

If your animal is having difficulty breathing and/or has some of these other signs, immediately contact your veterinarian, who can advise you on the best action to take. Note that these signs also can be found with other, more common diseases, and your veterinarian likely will explore those other possibilities, too.
 

We’re still learning about how SARS-CoV-2 is spread between people and animals. Domestic animals do not get COVID-19 like humans do, but under natural conditions, pet cats—and, to a lesser extent, pet dogs—may become infected with SARS-CoV-2 after close and prolonged contact with an infected person. There is limited evidence that infected cats or dogs spread the virus to other animals, and transmission from pets to people is rare, even with close contact. 

When it comes non-domestic species, in most cases infected animal caretakers or farm workers have been the initial source of the virus for animals. On mink farms, once the virus is introduced, it can rapidly spread among the mink as well as to other animals (domestic or wild) on or near the farm. Animal-to-animal transmission also may occur among other animal species that are housed together or close to each other. Transmission from non-domestic species to people is rare.

Veterinarians may suspect an animal has SARS-CoV-2 based on the signs the animal is showing and a history of known or possible contact with an infected person. Most pets will not need to be tested for SARS-CoV-2.

Unlike in people, there are no in-home tests for SARS-CoV-2 in animals. Rather, in the United States, whether to test any animal for the virus is a formal decision made collaboratively between local, state, or federal public health and animal health officials. 

In the rare chance that your pet is diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2, your veterinarian will work with you to develop a treatment plan. Most cases in pets are mild and resolve with supportive care, such as ample fluids, good nutrition, and rest. Your veterinarian may recommend you isolate your pet at home, depending on the signs the animal is showing.

If your veterinarian does recommend home isolation and you’re able to provide care for the animal:

• Follow your veterinarian’s instructions for care. 
• Do not put a mask on your pet.
• Keep your pet at home, except to get veterinary care.
• If your pet is a cat, keep them indoors.
• Protect yourself and others by following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for preventing transmission of COVID-19.
• Further protect yourself by washing your hands before and after handling your pet, and when handling your pet’s food, waste, litter box, or supplies.
• Keep the pet separated from any people the CDC has identified as being at increased risk from COVID-19, such as those over 65 years old or with chronic lung or heart disease, diabetes, or compromised immune systems.
• Monitor daily how your pet is doing, and if they seem to be getting worse or developing new signs of illness, call your veterinarian.

Also be sure to follow your veterinarian’s advice on when it’s safe to end the home isolation. 

The best way to protect most animals against SARS-CoV-2 is to reduce the risk of their exposure to the virus through infected people. The only animal vaccine in the United States is a mink coronavirus vaccine that was first conditionally licensed by the USDA during the pandemic. 

If you or another person in your household have COVID-19:

• Restrict contact with pets and other animals, just as you would restrict contact with other people. 
• Have an unaffected member of your household or business take care of feeding and otherwise caring for any animals, including pets.  
• If you have a service animal or you must care for your animals, then wear a mask; don’t share food, kiss, snuggle, hug, or sleep with them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.

Note that there is no reason to remove pets from homes, even if someone in your home has COVID-19, unless there is risk that the pet itself will not able to be cared for appropriately.