The recent global outbreak of the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) has caused widespread concern and worry. Under such circumstances, many pet owners began to worry whether their beloved pets would be infected with this virus, thus triggering a new round of transmission. To address this issue, scientists have conducted a series of studies and investigations.
dog and cat photoStudies show pets may be infected with the new coronavirus
According to recent studies, pets (especially dogs and cats) may be at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. Studies have shown that pets can become infected through close contact with a person infected with the virus.
Doubts about pets as a potential source of virus transmission
Although the risk of neo-coronavirus infection in pets is low, there are concerns that pets may be a potential source of virus transmission. Although there is no evidence that pets can directly transmit the virus to humans, precautions are still recommended.
Symptoms of Neocoronavirus infection in dogs and cats
Some studies have shown that dogs and cats infected with Neocoronavirus may experience mild symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. However, most cases of infected pets show no obvious clinical signs.
How to protect your pet from neo-coronavirus infection
In order to protect your pet from neo-coronavirus infection, the following recommendations should be followed:
1. avoid allowing your pet to come into contact with uninvolved outsiders.
2. Reduce your pet’s activities in public places and avoid high-traffic areas.
3. wash hands regularly, especially before and after contact with pets.
4. avoid close contact with the pet if the owner shows signs of infection.
Safety measures to be observed during pet-owner interactions
When interacting with pets, owners should take the following safety measures:
1. avoid face-to-face contact with the pet, especially if the pet owner is at risk of new coronavirus infection.
2. wash and disinfect the pet’s belongings, such as eating utensils and toys, on a regular basis.
3. avoid sharing food or water with pets.
4. clean hands thoroughly after bathing pets or touching their feces.
Summarize
There is no conclusive evidence from current scientific research that pets can be infected with the new coronavirus and transmit it to humans. However, to ensure the health of both pets and humans, pet owners are advised to strengthen the hygiene management of their pets during the outbreak, including frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with pets. In addition, if pets show any unusual symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention and inform their doctors about appropriate preventive measures. Although the scientific evidence is still at a preliminary stage, we can continue to monitor the progress of related research to better protect our pets and our own health.
