Information has been changing very fast when it comes to the spread of COVID-19, but as of this writing, there have been no reported cases of dogs with the disease infecting people. There have in fact been very few reported cases of dogs with the virus at all, and in those situations, it appears that humans infected the dogs rather than the other way around. The first dog to test positive in the U.S. was a German shepherd in New York State, reports the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. The dog, diagnosed in June, apparently contracted the virus from someone in the household who was already infected. It was a similar case for two dogs found to be infected in Hong Kong. They lived with people who had COVID-19 first.
But can a person get COVID-19 from a dog? It doesn’t really look that way. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) points out that both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Organization for Animal Health “indicate there is currently no evidence to suggest that animals incidentally infected by humans, including pets, play a role in the spread of COVID-19” among people. “Human outbreaks are driven by person-to-person contact,” they say. Indeed, if dog-to-human contact were a spreader of the disease, it would most likely have come to light by now.
It’s true that if someone who is infected sneezes or coughs on his dog, you can potentially bring the virus into your own nasal passages, mouth, or eyes by petting that dog and then touching your face before thoroughly washing your hands. But the AVMA makes the point that smooth, non-porous surfaces like door knobs and counter tops can transmit viruses much more easily than porous surfaces like dog fur.
Still, the CDC recommends staying on the safe side, meaning that interactions with animals not living in your own household should be limited. That’s in part because of the small risk of spreading the disease from people to dogs and in part because interacting with other people’s dogs also means closer interaction with other people. The organization suggests walking dogs on a leash at least 6 feet apart from others and avoiding public places where a large number of people gather. That helps keep you safe as well as your pet. Adds the AVMA, “to help maintain social distancing, do not let other people pet your dog while you are out for a walk.”
If on the off chance a loose dog comes up to you and brushes against you, be sure to wash your hands and also your clothes when you can. And do not touch your hands to your face if you inadvertently touch another person’s dog or dog collar or leash until after the hand washing.
Other dog-to-human disease transmissions
Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people are termed zoonotic diseases, and a number of them are much more likely to “jump” from dogs to people than COVID-19. Fortunately, good, clean living — washing your hands frequently, keeping your dog’s eating utensils and bedding as clean as your own, frequent vacuuming, and other hygiene measures — will do much to keep you protected, and your dog, too.
Roundworms (Toxocara canis). Contamination from the family dog (or another animal) most commonly occurs after gardening or playing in the sandbox that isn’t followed by a serious hand scrubbing. The sticky eggs, often deposited in large numbers in soil where dogs or other infected animals have defecated, can end up ingested after a simple swipe of a finger near the mouth. Every year, many thousands of people, mostly children, become infected — with sometimes serious symptoms like organ damage. Most probably didn’t wash their hands after digging or playing in the dirt.
Ringworm (Dermatophytosis). Cats are the more likely culprits of transmission, but this parasitic fungus can also be transmitted from your dog’s everyday objects, including his bedding or brush. You can get the disease just by touching a contaminated object. A common sign is a patch of scaly, itchy skin. Make sure that all areas where your dog hangs out are kept clean. If he is ever diagnosed with ringworm, he can usually be treated with topical medication.
Scabies (sarcoptic mange). This itchy skin condition can be transmitted to people by dogs who carry scabies mites. That is why it’s a good idea to disinfect your dog’s bedding in the wash. If your dog does get scabies, the vet will need to prescribe drugs and perhaps medicated baths.
Leptospirosis. While rare, this bacterial disease can cause serious internal organ damage in both dogs and people, who can get it from pets if they shed the offending Leptospira pathogen in their urine. Fortunately, both people and their dogs are well protected if the dog is inoculated against leptospirosis during routine vaccinations.
Salmonellosis. Raw meat diets for dogs can be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria and therefore can make both your dog and you sick. It’s all too easy to accidentally touch the food and then have the bacteria colonize in your system. This is part of the reason raw meat diets for dogs (and people) are not recommended.
