Understanding COVID-19 and Its Impact on Pets
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many pet owners have become concerned about whether their furry companions could contract the coronavirus or even act as carriers spreading the virus. This worry intensified after reports emerged from abroad about cats and dogs testing weakly positive for the coronavirus, causing pet-owning families to become extremely cautious.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has addressed these concerns by stating that, to date, there is no evidence showing that pets can become infected with the coronavirus. Furthermore, there is no proof that pets can transmit the virus to humans.
Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that the virus might adhere to the fur of pets. Therefore, the primary defense against COVID-19 remains thorough cleaning and disinfection. After all, germs are everywhere in the outdoor environment. Whether adults, children, or pets return home from outside, it is essential to wash hands thoroughly and give dogs a proper cleaning.
In addition to maintaining good hygiene, it is advisable to minimize taking pets to crowded places or outdoor areas where many people or animals gather. While practicing social distancing, it is also important to avoid contact with other animals.
Moreover, boosting immunity through regular exercise, sweating, and consuming nutritious fruits and vegetables is a key part of resisting the virus.
Below, we provide a simple overview of how COVID-19 affects pets and how you can help your dogs defend against viral threats.
Can Dogs Contract COVID-19?
Experts explain that while virus transmission between members of the same species is possible, the likelihood of cross-species transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is very low. For the virus to successfully jump from humans to animals, several key conditions must be met.
First, the pet must lack sufficient immune defenses against the virus. Second, the pet's cells must be susceptible to the virus. Finally, the amount of virus present on or in the pet must be high enough to establish an infection.
In other words, it is not as simple as pets becoming infected with COVID-19. In fact, pets are more likely to have virus particles merely on their fur rather than being truly infected.
The chance of dogs contracting COVID-19 is very low. Usually, if dogs test positive, it is because their fur has been contaminated with the virus rather than them having an active infection.
For dogs, the threat posed by COVID-19 is comparable to that of viruses commonly found in canine diseases. Dogs are more likely to suffer from other viral illnesses that impact their health, such as kennel cough (canine infectious tracheobronchitis), upper respiratory infections like the flu, pneumonia, and serious conditions like heartworm disease.
Therefore, if your pet shows symptoms such as coughing, fever, or vomiting—symptoms that can resemble those of COVID-19—it is strongly recommended to take them to a veterinary clinic promptly for a thorough examination.
How to Help Your Dog Resist COVID-19
1. Thorough Implementation of Quarantine and Epidemic Prevention Measures for COVID-19 in Taiwan
Currently, Taiwan implements various epidemic prevention measures for individuals confirmed or suspected to be infected with COVID-19, including home isolation, home quarantine, and self-health management. The Taipei City Animal Protection Office advises that when pet owners are required to undergo home isolation or quarantine, their pets must also remain isolated at home to avoid any outdoor activities.
To be on the safe side during home isolation, it is essential to wear a medical-grade mask at all times and avoid contact with other people or pets. Pet owners should absolutely refrain from touching, hugging, or kissing their pets. If contact with pets is unavoidable, hands must be thoroughly washed before and after interaction.
In simple terms, besides maintaining social distance from your furry companions, daily cleaning and disinfection are necessary to reduce the risk of transmission and protect both yourself and your pets' health.
What to Do if a Pet Owner Is Hospitalized Due to COVID-19
If a pet owner unfortunately contracts COVID-19 and requires hospitalization and isolation, here are the recommended arrangements for their dog:
- If relatives or friends are willing to help care for the dog at home, they should wear a lightweight raincoat, gloves, and a mask before entering the empty residence to feed the pet.
- If relatives or friends plan to take the pet home for care, the Animal Protection Office's Animal Rescue Team can be notified. The rescue team will dispatch personnel to the pet's location to remove the animal and disinfect the environment using hypochlorous acid water. The pet can then be taken to a designated pet grooming facility that cooperates with the Animal Protection Office and the Pet Industry Association for cleaning at the owner's expense, before being taken home by relatives or friends.
- If no relatives or friends are available to assist, the Taipei City Health Bureau will notify the Animal Protection Office to help with temporary placement. The Animal Protection Office has pre-established a separate dedicated pet shelter area. Emergency pet placement costs NT$200 per day, with a maximum charge of NT$3,000. If the pet requires medical treatment due to illness, the owner will be responsible for the veterinary fees.
During the home isolation period, pet owners must wear masks properly and avoid close contact with their pets.
2. Enhanced Disinfection and Cleaning Tips for Your Dog
When taking your dog out for a walk, it's easy for outdoor germs to hitch a ride back home. Therefore, it's important to strengthen the cleaning routine for your dog's paws, legs, and fur. However, be sure not to use chemical substances such as alcohol, hypochlorous acid water, or bleach on your pet's body. Instead, we recommend using natural, non-toxic, pet-specific antibacterial cleaning products to avoid causing skin allergies or other issues.
Prepare a "Pet Epidemic Prevention Kit" During Outbreaks
During epidemic outbreaks, pet parents are advised to prepare a "Pet Epidemic Prevention Kit" when taking their dogs outside. Simply gather common herbs such as peppermint, mugwort, acorus calamus (sweet flag), lemongrass, osmanthus, and clove. After drying these herbs, place them into a tea bag pouch and securely tie the opening. Your dog can wear this pouch to repel insects and eliminate odors!
Additional Benefits of the Prevention Kit
Besides repelling insects and deodorizing, the aromatic stimulation from the herbal pouch can help boost your dog's immune system. You can also soak the herbal sachet in warm water to give your dog a soothing herbal bath, which promotes blood circulation and enhances resistance. This dual-purpose approach offers excellent value and care for your furry friend.
Key Cleaning Reminder
Always use natural, non-toxic, pet-specific antibacterial cleaning solutions when cleaning your dog's body. This precaution helps prevent skin allergies and other health problems, ensuring your pet stays healthy and comfortable.
3. Boosting Your Dog's Immune System for Optimal Health
Maintaining your dog's health starts with one of the most important factors: strengthening their immune system. In recent years, nutritional science has introduced the concept of "Super Foods", which not only enhance the body's ability to fight viruses but can also help prevent diseases such as cancer.
So, what exactly are "Super Foods"? These are foods rich in five key categories: antioxidants, minerals, fiber, vitamins, and phytochemicals. Consuming these nutrient-dense foods provides high-quality energy and nutrition that benefit humans greatly—and the same positive effects apply to our pets.
Whether you feed your dog commercial kibble or prepare fresh meals at home, try to incorporate elements of "Super Foods" into their diet. Doing so helps boost their resistance, supplying extra nutrition and energy to keep your furry friend in peak health.
Beyond diet, focusing on exercise and cleanliness also plays a vital role. By combining proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and good hygiene, you can effectively enhance your dog's natural defenses against viruses and other illnesses.
Staying Healthy with Your Pets During COVID-19
Finally, no matter how rampant COVID-19 becomes, taking your furry friends out for walks and exercise during the pandemic remains an essential health activity. As long as you are not on a home quarantine list, and you diligently follow the three key preventive measures mentioned above, you can be confident that your beloved pets at home will stay completely free from any germs or viruses!
