Many people who have contracted the coronavirus try to avoid, as much as possible, their contact with family, friends or acquaintances so as not to spread the disease, however, those who own pets do not know if they should also do it with their animals pet : The answer to the question can my pet be near me if I have covid? , the answer is no . According to experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services, people who have the virus should stay away from their pets, as they are at risk of infecting them. If that is your case and you don’t know what to do, we tell you how to take care of your dog or cat if you got Covid , according to experts.

How to take care of my dog or cat if I got Covid

According to the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ), another US agency of the Department of Health and Human Services , if you got Covid, you should do the following to take care of your dog or cat:

If you can have it at home. Avoid direct contact, this includes caresses, hugs, kisses or being licked, sharing food and bed. Wash your hands before and after you have interacted with your pet and wear a cloth face covering to prevent possible spread.
If you can’t have it at home. Find someone to take care of it, you can ask a family member, a friend or a person you trust to take care of your care while you recover. And if possible, tell them to pamper them, or make a video call so they can see you and not miss you, depending on how attached they are to you.

Can I test my dog or cat for Covid?

According to the FDA food safety organization, it is not recommended to test pets for Covid , since, so far, the risk of animals transmitting the virus to people is considered to be low , however Sometimes, your dog or cat can infect you with other germs such as bacteria and fungi, which is why it is always a good idea to practice healthy and hygienic habits within the home and towards your partner.

How to prevent my dog or cat from getting Covid?

According to the Federal Agency of the United States FDA , to protect your pet from a possible infection that risks its health, you must take into account the following recommendations :

Do not let him socialize with people or other animals that do not live in your home.
Keep her indoors when possible to prevent her from hanging out with outsiders.
If you go out for a walk, put her on a leash and keep her at least 2 meters away from others.
Avoid taking her to parks or public places where large numbers of people or animals gather.