According to the WHO, there is currently no evidence that pets such as dogs and cats have infected humans with Covid-19. Therefore, if you have pets at home, such as a cat, you don't need to get rid of it or think it poses a danger to your health or that of your family. Your animals cannot transmit the coronavirus to you, so you can rest assured about this.
In any case, below we will explain what measures you have to take both for the safety of your cat and your own.
It is always good to take precautions
The revised stance comes after an infected dog in Hong Kong tested positive after being with its owners, who were ill with the virus. The dog showed no clinical signs of the disease, according to a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health. There is no evidence that dogs or cats can spread the disease or that the disease can cause an animal to become ill, the organization says, although further studies may yield new findings.
The organization advises pet owners who are infected or susceptible to coronavirus to avoid close contact with their pets and have another household member care for the animals. If you must care for your pet, maintain good hygiene practices and wear a face mask if possible.
Tips for families with pets
Below, we'll share some of the most important recommendations if you have a cat (or dog) at home during the ongoing public health crisis caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These tips are provided thanks to the kindness of the Official College of Veterinarians of Madrid and the Complutense University of Madrid.
They first clarify that there is no scientific evidence that animals transmit the coronavirus, information that will undoubtedly put many pet owners at ease, especially those with dogs that go for walks and touch everything, and cats that go in and out of the house. Let's talk about the measures they recommend taking into account.
General preventive measures for anyone
First they talk about the general measures for anyone, to take into account the following:
- Wash your hands with soap and water
- Social distancing (confinement in homes)
- Covering your mouth with your elbow when coughing
- Do not touch eyes, nose and / or mouth
General measures for people who have pets regardless of the coronavirus
These measures to take into account must always be carried out, regardless of the coronavirus:
- After touching the animals, wash your hands with soap and water.
- After touching the animals, do not touch your nose, eyes and / or mouth.
General measures for coronavirus patients who have pets
If you have the misfortune of having contracted the Coronavirus and you have pets, it is important that you follow the following measures:
- It is advisable to leave the care of your pet to someone else temporarily. (But don't abandon them, they are not to blame and they are also part of your family!).
- Do not leave the usual utensils used by the pet with the caretaker.
- If new utensils cannot be obtained, those commonly used by pets should be thoroughly infected.
General measures for people who have tested positive for coronavirus but must keep their pets at home
These measures are designed for all those people who unfortunately have tested positive for the coronavirus but have to continue keeping their pets with them at home while they recover, since they will not have anyone at their disposal to take care of their cats or any other pets, such as dogs:
- Before going to the vet, call by phone to be informed about how to proceed in this situation.
- Always wear a mask in the presence of the animal.
- Although it is difficult, it is very important for the health of your feline or your canine that you avoid direct contact.
- Wash your hands very often.
These are very important measures for everyone to know. Below is an image summarizing all this information so you can view it more visually and even print it out and put it somewhere visible. Click here to see it.