There is no proven risk of Covid-19 transmission to humans from their pets. By far the biggest risk comes from direct exposure to other people or indirectly through contaminated surfaces. Standard pet hygiene techniques are the best way to keep you and your pet safe (see www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus and https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/covid-19/ for more information).
There have been some further confirmed cases of SARS-COV-2 (the Covid-19 virus) being carried by animals but only a very few instances (mostly involving farmed mink) of transmission from animal to person. The most susceptible animals appear to be domestic cats (and their larger cousins) and ferrets. They may show symptoms (dry cough and malaise). There is very limited experimental evidence that cats may transmit the virus to other cats and therefore there remains a potential risk of transfer to people. However, transmission of Covid-19 from a pet animal to a human has not been documented. It should be noted that almost all cases in pets have come from households with a Covid-19 positive person. The risk to people from their pets is therefore considered extremely low - the greatest risk is from another person and not the pet.
The standard precautionary advice is to wash your hands after stroking or cuddling your pet or any other animal. In addition, it would be sensible to not allow animals to lick your face. Please note that this is no different to standard hygiene advice from before this current pandemic.
Covid-19 may be transiently carried on animal’s coats, collars and leads etc., which should all be considered fomites. The main potential transmission route would therefore be from handling animals and other fomites (e.g. leads, harnesses, coats etc.). In the (very rare) case of cats showing symptoms, it is possible that the virus is in their mouth and material from coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhoea. Contamination of the coat would also come from self-grooming.
Fortunately, Covid-19 is a fairly vulnerable virus and is easily eliminated by washing and disinfection (hence the emphasis on hand washing to reduce transmission among people). Bathing or wiping animals may remove virus from their fur, but this can’t be guaranteed and should not replace standard hand washing and hygiene advice. Any benefits must also be set against the closer contact that this entails, disruption to routine, feasibility and any risks. These include washing away the natural protective oils from your pet's coat, drying the skin, and bacterial infections from contaminated bottles. Frequent bathing may also compromise the effectiveness of topical spot-on parasite preventative products, which increases the risk of exposure to fleas, ticks, flies or worms.
Bathing must only done with a shampoo appropriate to an animal’s skin – you should discuss suitable products, how to use them, and how often this should be done with your vet. For (the very few) cats or other animals that will tolerate bathing the advice is the same as for dogs. Remember cats will groom more thoroughly and there is an increased risk of swallowing any products applied to the skin and fur so it’s important to only recommended products. There are sprays, wipes and foams that could be used instead of bathing but it’s very important to speak to a vet first – not all disinfectant wipes and other products are safe to use in animals. Whatever you use should be disposed of safely immediately after use.
Remember you are a greater risk to other people and animals that your pet is to you or anyone else.
