Our Pets Can Help

Our Pets Can Help by Cindy Huff

I am writing this on March 19th. Our world is facing a very grave challenge from the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic, and we are all stressed right now. Our reality is changing day to day – empty grocery shelves, working from home, some in the food industry who work in restaurants and bars are losing their jobs. It will get better, and it will take time. We as a people are resilient and we band together to help each other at times like this. As Americans, it is what we do.

The editor of this publication asked us to write about our pets (I include horses in that definition too), and how this situation can potentially impact them, and our relationship with them. She also asked us to address the question of whether or not our pets can contract the virus from us, or vise versa. Since we are not veterinarians, we are not qualified to provide an opinion on that ourselves. What I did do is talk with our small animal vet, and I researched articles from schools of veterinary science as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Keep in mind this information is as of 3/19/2020 and scientific guidance on this topic may change as we go through this pandemic.

Based on what they know today, our local vet is indicating that they do not believe that our pets can contract the COVID-19 virus from us. I also found an additional references to this from the veterinary college at University of Illinois. Here are some links for your reference:

https://vetmed.illinois.edu/pet_column/coronaviruspets/

From the FAQ’s page on COVID-19 states as of 3/12/2020:

“It is possible that a person with COVID-19 could sneeze or otherwise contaminate their pet, and then another individual could touch that animal and contract the disease. Veterinary experts believe the risk for transmission would be low. However, animals living with sick individuals should be kept away from other people and animals (quarantined at home), just as people who live with sick individuals must avoid contact with others.” The CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/faq.html#animals) states the following as of 3/12/2020:

“While this virus seems to have emerged from an animal source, it is now spreading from person-toperson in China. There is no reason to think that any animals including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals. For more information on the many benefits of pet ownership, as well as staying safe and healthy around animals including pets, livestock, and wildlife, visit CDC’s Healthy Pets, Healthy People website.”

Please keep in mind that it is early, and that information will change daily. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) is indicating the same general guidelines above, but it has removed its text that pets cannot contract the virus from humans as of today.

What is very important for all of us who live with and interact with pets is to wash our hands before and after we interact with them, especially during this pandemic.

Our pets will pick up our worry and stress from us and can become stressed themselves. This can result in behavior changes such as separation anxiety, chewing, staying extremely close to their humans, vocalizing, and heightened sensitivity to sound, light, storms, and our voice tones. We need to calm down for ourselves as well as for them. Be patient with them during this stressful time. Many of you may still be working from home or spending more time at home due to the pandemic. You can use this opportunity to spend quality time with your pets. Invite them to play and cuddle. If you are able to spend time safely walking or playing with them outdoors, that’s a plus for you both. If you have a horse, this is a great opportunity to spend more undemanding time with them doing things like hand grazing them, or just hanging out having fun with them in whatever way you both enjoy.