In response to the question of whether pets can transmit the new coronavirus, the World Health Organization responded that there is no clear evidence that cats, dogs and other pets can be infected with the new coronavirus, so pet owners can keep their pets without fear and must not act irresponsibly by abandoning or disposing of them. However, washing hands with soap and water after contact with pets can significantly reduce the spread of other common bacteria between pet owners and their pets.
Cats and dogs can indeed be infected with coronavirus, are pooper scoopers wimpy? But don't worry, because there are many different kinds of coronaviruses, and scientific studies have shown that pets are mainly infected with the cat/canine coronavirus in the alpha genus of coronaviruses. The coronaviruses that pose serious health risks to humans are mainly of the beta genus, such as the SARS virus and now the new coronavirus, and the cat/canine virus has no effect on humans. Therefore, we do not need to be overly alarmed and should not make irrational actions such as hurting our pets.
Compared to mammals such as cats and dogs, fish, birds and reptiles (i.e. turtles and snakes) are less likely to transmit the novel coronavirus and their probability of contracting this novel coronavirus is extremely low, so there is no need to be overly alarmed in the process of keeping them.
Although there are no real cases of pets transmitting the new coronavirus, pet owners still need to do their best to protect themselves from it, given the limited understanding of the new coronavirus. It is recommended that pet owners and their pets stay at home as much as possible during this special period, avoid going out, pay attention to their pets' diet, maintain good interaction at home, clean the environment, ventilate the home, and regularly use disinfectants to clean the floor and the pets' household items such as cages, nesting mats, food and water bowls, etc.
There are still major safety risks associated with walking dogs outside at present, which are related to the transmission route of the new coronavirus. According to the latest version of the new coronavirus pneumonia diagnosis and treatment protocol, transmission via respiratory droplets and close contact is the main route of transmission of the new coronavirus. We all know that the typical behavior of dogs is to run around, sniff and drill, especially dogs that have been circled at home for a long time and will try to scatter when they go out. Contact with ground or objects contaminated with the virus in the process, although the chances are slim, does not exclude the possibility that this could then be transmitted to humans in close contact with their owners later, causing infection. Therefore, we suggest the following for pet owners who have to go out to walk their dogs.
1. minimize the time spent walking the dog.
2. choose places with fewer people and better air circulation, not to go to unfamiliar environments, not to go to markets, especially places with live birds.
3. protect yourself by wearing a good muzzle and giving your pet a good leash.
4. avoid close contact with others and other pets, and do not touch stray unowned animals.
5. give your pet a thorough bath and clean as soon as possible after you get home, and go out with a leash and other items to be strictly disinfected.
