COVID-19 - My pets and me

Common questions answered - Can pets spread COVID-19, can pets contract the virus?

Can I infect my pet with COVID-19?

Although domestic animals can become naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 from humans infected with the virus, most companion animals infected with SARS-CoV-2 have had no or mild disease. They can become seriously ill, but this seems to be rare. More information on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in different animal species can be found here.

Can my pet spread COVID-19?

While there is evidence that many animal species (domestic and wild) may become infected with SARS-CoV-2 from humans infected with the virus, the evidence indicates that animals do not play a significant role in infection of humans and that the human COVID-19 pandemic is sustained through human-human transmission. You can read more on our RSPCA Knowledgebase here.

Protecting your pet with good hygiene

Even if you don’t contract COVID-19 it’s still important to practise good hygiene when interacting with animals.

• People who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 should eliminate or limit contact with animals as well as other people. Someone else should care for any animals, including companion animals.
• If a companion animal has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, as a precaution they should be kept in the house and not allowed to interact with other people or animals.
• If a companion animal has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and is sick, contact your veterinarian for advice before taking them into a clinic.