Animals and COVID-19

The virus that causes COVID-19 is different from other coronaviruses that affect domestic animals. Learn how to keep pets and livestock, as well as yourself, safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people

There’s currently limited information on animals and COVID-19, especially on whether animals can spread the virus. In most circumstances, people are infecting animals (human-to-animal transmission).

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, there haven’t been any reports of pets spreading COVID-19 to people. However, reports from the Netherlands and Denmark suggest that mink have infected some workers on mink farms. This is an area that continues to be studied.

The Public Health Agency of Canada tracks and analyzes research and case reports from around the world on COVID-19 and animals.

The table below summarizes our current knowledge about which animals:

can get infected with COVID-19 through natural exposure in the environment
may be able to infect humans

Some animals may get sick and show signs of illness, such as:

fever
fatigue
sneezing
coughing
loss of appetite
difficulty breathing
vomiting or diarrhea

Animals reported to get COVID-19 from people or other animals through natural exposure in the environment, and reverse transmission from animals back to people
Animal	Can be infected by COVID-19	Can spread COVID-19
Cat	Yes	Yes, to other cats
Big cat (tiger, lion)	Yes	Yes, to other big cats
Mink	Yes	Yes, to other mink and to people
Dog	Yes	No

Based on limited information available as of January 14, 2021. Animal species not listed don’t yet have any evidence available.

Some studies on animals (PDF) in laboratory settings have shown that they can get COVID-19.

Pets and COVID-19

If you have no symptoms of COVID-19, it’s healthy for you and your pet to:

go for walks
spend time together

There have been several reports of infected humans spreading the virus to their dog or cat. However, it’s still not clear how often this happens or under what circumstances.

How to keep your pets safe

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or are quarantining or isolating, follow these recommendations:

avoid close contact with animals

do not:

let them lick you
snuggle or kiss them
share food with them
let them sit on your lap
let them sleep in your bed

practise good hygiene

wash your hands often, especially before and after touching animals, their food or their supplies
avoid coughing and sneezing on your animals
avoid touching your face with unwashed hands

have another member of your household care for your animals

if this isn’t possible, it’s recommended that you wear a non-medical mask to care for your pet while you isolate at home

keep your pet away from people and animals outside your household until you’re no longer ill or isolating

keep your cat indoors at all times
keep your dog in a private fenced area or ensure they’re on a leash when you take them outside to go to the bathroom

Caring for exposed animals

We don’t believe pets play an important role in the spread of this disease. However, if you’re caring for a pet that has been around someone with COVID-19, precautions should be taken for 14 days after the animal’s last exposure to the human case:

follow the recommendations in the previous section about contact and hygiene
frequently clean and disinfect surfaces that the animal often touches

If possible, keep the animal in their own home. This will minimize contact with any new people, animals or environments.

If the owner lives alone and needs to be hospitalized, their animal may need to move temporarily to a clinic, shelter or new household. In these cases, confine the animal to one area to minimize contact with other people and animals.

Individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness should avoid being temporary caregivers to exposed animals.

If the animal shows signs of illness and you’re concerned about their health, contact your veterinarian.

Livestock and other farmed animals

There have been no reports of livestock (such as cows, pigs, goats or sheep) being infected with COVID-19. Early results of studies in laboratory settings suggest that pigs and cows may be very mildly prone to the virus but don’t spread it to other animals. Chickens, turkeys and ducks are not susceptible to the virus. The susceptibility of other livestock is still unknown, but studies are underway.

As of December 2020, there have been many reports of farmed mink being infected and getting sick with COVID-19 in many countries, such as:

Canada
the U.S.
Spain
Greece
Sweden
Denmark
France
Lithuania
the Netherlands

Mink are easily infected with COVID-19, and it can spread rapidly once introduced to a mink farm. The most likely source of the virus introduction to farmed mink is infected humans. That’s why it’s important to know how to protect farmed animals and reduce the risk of transmission.

How to protect your livestock and other farmed animals

Producers should have business continuity plans to deal with the COVID-19 situation and unexpected disruptions. Industry associations could be a helpful resource for farmers as they develop or revise their business continuity plans.

Follow normal biosecurity measures as always. Limit access of non-essential people to your premises, and exclude anyone who:

has travelled abroad in the last 14 days
is ill, especially with symptoms of COVID-19
has been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case in the last 14 days

Consult with your local public health authority about guidance for farming and agricultural settings. A control plan checklist (PDF) is available from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada to help farm businesses reduce the spread of COVID-19. This checklist can be adapted for many types of agricultural businesses.

If you’re sick or isolating, have another person care for your animals. If this isn’t possible, follow infection prevention and control measures.

Minimize your direct contact with animals.
Put on clean clothes before going out to the barn.
Always wash your hands before and after touching animals, their food and supplies.
Practise good coughing and sneezing (respiratory) etiquette.
Wear a non-medical mask to care for your animals.
Wear a medical mask if you work on a mink farm (only wear a non-medical mask if medical masks aren’t available).

We recommend these measures as a precaution to prevent transmission of diseases between humans and animals.

If you have questions or concerns, ask your veterinarian or a local public health professional.

For more information regarding on-farm disease prevention, consult the:

Tests for COVID-19 in animals

In general, testing animals for COVID-19 isn’t recommended. The virus is mainly spread between people, not through animals.

If your animal develops illness following exposure to a COVID-19 case, or person with COVID-19 symptoms, call your veterinarian. They can:

assess the situation and determine if your animal needs to be seen
help determine if your animal has another more common disease or condition

Vaccine against COVID-19 for animals

There are no vaccines against COVID-19 available in Canada for animals. There’s no evidence that vaccinating animals with vaccines for other coronaviruses will protect against COVID-19.

Importing animals

All animals entering Canada must meet import requirements set out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The World Organisation for Animal Health doesn’t recommend COVID-19-related trade restrictions for animals.

There are no COVID-related restrictions on importing animals to Canada. It’s recommended that individuals, rescue organizations and adoptive families postpone importing animals during the pandemic. Several factors may have a negative impact on the well-being of imported animals, including:

travel restrictions
limited flights
limited access to veterinary care

Before importing an animal, check the current outbreak situation at the animal’s origin and destination. Find out if any travel restrictions are in place for people or animals.

Imported animals can carry diseases that we don’t have in Canada. These diseases can spread to other animals or people. It’s always a good idea to have a veterinarian examine a recently imported animal. They can advise you on ways to keep the animal, other animals and your family healthy.

Availability of animal health products

The Canadian Animal Health Institute provides updates on any shortages, disruptions or production delays for animal health products.

Information and guidance for veterinarians

A list of frequently asked questions for veterinarians (PDF) on COVID-19 and animals is available on the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association COVID-19 website.

Language selection

Search