Can pets contract COVID-19 or other human illnesses?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: July 13, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Can Pets Get COVID-19 or Other Human Illnesses?

Yes, pets can contract COVID-19 from infected humans, though they typically experience mild symptoms and there is currently no evidence that pets play a significant role in transmitting the virus to humans.

COVID-19 in Pets

Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2

  • SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19) is primarily a zoonotic virus that likely originated in bats before transmitting to humans 1
  • Different pet species show varying susceptibility to the virus:
    • Cats and ferrets appear more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection 2, 3
    • Dogs have limited susceptibility to the virus 3
    • Other domestic species like pigs and poultry do not appear susceptible 3

Transmission Patterns

  • The primary direction of transmission is from humans to pets (anthroponotic transmission) 2, 4
  • Pets typically acquire the infection through direct contact with COVID-19-infected owners 4
  • The global number of naturally infected animals is significantly lower than human COVID-19 cases 4
  • While experimental studies have demonstrated animal-to-animal transmission in some species, there is currently no evidence of pet-to-human transmission under natural conditions 4, 3

Clinical Presentation in Pets

  • Infections in dogs typically appear asymptomatic 3
  • Cats may show mild to moderate respiratory and/or gastrointestinal signs 3
  • Viral loads in pets remain relatively low compared to humans 2

Other Human Illnesses in Pets

While the question primarily focuses on COVID-19, it's important to note that pets can contract certain other human illnesses:

  • Zoonotic diseases can sometimes be transmitted between humans and animals in both directions
  • Coronaviruses as a family have been known to infect various animal species 1
  • Each pathogen has its own specific host range and transmission dynamics

Risk Assessment and Precautions

Risk to Humans

  • Current evidence suggests pets pose minimal risk in spreading COVID-19 to humans 2, 4
  • The primary risk remains human-to-human transmission
  • Special consideration for vulnerable populations:
    • Elderly pet owners may face a theoretically small increased risk due to:
      • Potential (though unproven) animal-to-human transmission
      • Increased exposure risk from necessary pet care activities 2

Recommended Precautions

  • People with confirmed COVID-19 should limit contact with pets during their illness
  • Basic hygiene practices when handling pets:
    • Wash hands before and after interacting with pets
    • Avoid letting pets lick your face
    • Maintain good cleaning practices for pet supplies

Surveillance and Research

  • Ongoing surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals remains important
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the role of animals in community transmission 3
  • The relatively low infection rates in pets despite close contact with infected owners suggests limited susceptibility or transmission potential

In conclusion, while pets can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, they appear to play a minimal role in COVID-19 transmission to humans, and infections in pets are typically mild or asymptomatic.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Related Questions

What is the appropriate dosing of ciprofloxacin (Cipro) for a patient with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and a urine culture showing an organism with intermediate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin?
What is the comparative sensitivity of procalcitonin (PCT) versus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for indicating the need for antibiotics in patients with suspected bacterial infections?
What are the most common symptoms 3 months after a severe initial infectious mononucleosis (mono) infection?
What is the recommended management for ischemic stroke outside of the thrombolytic window?
What is the pathophysiology of Brugada syndrome?
What medication should be used to treat a patient with microalbuminuria and an elevated albumin/creatinine (Alb/Creat) ratio?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question