Sadly, there’s growing evidence that indicates that pets can indeed catch the coronavirus from us humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated their social distancing guidelines to include animals.  🙁

From their website:

Key Points

  • Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others cause illness in certain types of animals.
  • Some coronaviruses that infect animals can sometimes be spread to people, but this is rare.
  • We do not know the exact source of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first infections were thought to be linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now primarily spreading from person to person.
  • At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.
  • We are still learning about this virus, but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations.

  • The first case of an animal testing positive for the virus in the United States was in a tiger that had a respiratory illness at a zoo in New York City.

  • CDC is aware of a small number of pets, including cats and dogs, reportedexternal icon to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.

  • Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.

  • Further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by the virus that causes COVID-19 and the role animals may play in the spread of COVID-19.

  • This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

  • For more information, see COVID-19 and Animals Frequently Asked Questions.

For more info from the CDC, CLICK HERE

Are you going to practice social distancing from your pets?

NOW Trending: People Figured Out A Trick For IRS Stimulus Tool