As COVID-19 infections continue to spread around the world there is still a lot that needs to be learned about this virus and how it is transmitted. The good news is that the World Health Organisation for Animal Health, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many other professional health organizations do have a lot of reliable information about COVID-19 and how it’s spread. This means that you will be able to better protect yourself and your cats throughout this pandemic.
COVID-19 Infections for Cats
According to health organizations worldwide, there haven’t been many reported cat COVID-19 infections. In fact, there are only a small number of cats from around the world that have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Based on all of the data that is available right now, your cats do not have a high risk of contracting this virus. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be transmitted from cat to human, but rather from human to cat.
With that being said, you still want to make sure that you are doing all that you can to protect yourself, your cats and your family members from a COVID-19 infection. You should treat your cat like you would any of your family members. If someone is sick, limit the contact with that person. This includes your cat, as well.
Learn More About the Transmission of COVID-19
Before learning more about the transmission of COVID-19, you should know that while the risk of your cat contracting this virus is very low, there is still a chance that it could happen. This is why it is very important that you have the knowledge needed to keep them safe. According to the CDC, some of the ways that this virus can be transmitted include the following:
● Cats that have been diagnosed with this virus had close contact (6 feet apart or closer) with someone who had COVID-19.
● Respiratory droplets can carry this virus from the infected person to others (happens when talking, sneezing, or coughing at a close distance).
● The virus could possibly be carried on objects or hard surfaces.
Health organizations from around the world are still learning more about how COVID-19 is transmitted. Since there is still so much more for them to learn, it is important to do everything that you can to keep your cat, your family members, and yourself as safe and healthy as possible.
Protecting Cats, Family Members, and Yourself
There has been a lot of data released regarding COVID-19. One of the statistics that are important to know is that millions of people have died from this virus. People who get the virus may be asymptomatic, so they don’t even know they are spreading it to others. This is why you need to do everything that you can to protect your cat, family members, and yourself from this virus.
Protecting Your Cats
If you have cats, you will want to follow the tips below to protect them from COVID-19. There still is not enough information out there regarding how this virus will affect animals. With that being said, some of the ways that you can protect your cat include the following:
· Limit the contact your cat makes with others who don’t live in your household.
· Keep outdoor cats indoors, if possible.
· Avoid taking your cats to public places so as to avoid large gatherings of other animals and people.
· If you are sick, avoid contact with your cat and wear a face mask. If possible, have someone else take care of your cat.
Creating a contingency care plan for your cat with a professional cat sitter or boarding facility would be a good idea, and/or having at least two weeks’ worth of cat food and medicine on hand in case you have to quarantine or self-isolate.
While there are only a few animals that have been diagnosed with COVID-19, it is still very important that you do what is necessary to protect your cat from contracting this virus. If you suspect that your cat may be sick, be sure to call your veterinarian right away.
Keeping Yourself and Your Family Safe When Around Animals
Even though there is no data showing that cats are going to spread the COVID-19 virus, this doesn’t mean that precautions shouldn’t be taken. Animals do carry germs and it is better to protect yourself when possible. Some of the ways to keep yourself and your family safe when around animals include the following:
● Keep washing your hands after you have handled an animal’s food, waste, supplies, or the animal itself.
● Keep practicing proper cat hygiene regarding bathing them and taking care of their waste.
● If you are concerned about your cat’s health, talk to their veterinarian about it.
These are some of the guidelines that have been provided for keeping humans safe from animals that might carry COVID-19. While there is no data to show that animals play much of a part in the spread of this virus, it is still important for everyone to follow all recommendations and guidelines, to keep protecting the lives of humans and animals during this time. It’s also important to know that there is no reason to remove cats from homes where COVID-19 has been identified in members of the household unless there is a risk that the cat itself is not able to be cared for appropriately. In this pandemic emergency, cats and people need the support of each other and veterinarians are there to support the good health of both.
Conclusion
There are millions of people from around the world who have contracted COVID-19. With this being said, there is no data that shows cats have a role in the spread of this virus. This means that your cat has a low likelihood of getting the virus or spreading it. Even so, there have still been a small number of cats who have contracted this virus. With this being so, you should follow the advice above to make sure you are keeping your cats, yourself, and your family members as healthy as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
