With so much mis-information and rumours spreading about COVID-19 it is hard to know what to believe. It is easy to find yourself trapped in a loop reading sensationalised reports and not knowing how to best protect your family.

On the 4th March, Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department issued a statement detailing that a Pomeranian, belonging to a COVID-19 positive patient, has repeatedly tested positive for the virus. It is believed to be the first case of human-to-animal transmission.

So, what does this mean for our pooches at home?

  1. So far there is ONE reported case of human-to-animal transmission in one dog.
  2. The dog is in quarantine and is not showing any signs of illness
  3. At this stage there is no evidence that dogs can play a role in the spread of this human disease, or that they become sick. During the 2003 SARS outbreak, a small number of cats and dogs tested positive for the virus, but did not demonstrate a role in transmitting the virus to other animals or people.
  4. Hand hygiene is critical before and after handling your pets, as well as with their food
  5. The major risk remains human to human contact

So let’s not buy into the hysteria (or toilet paper panic), wash our hands and love our pooches. Thank you to the Australian Veterinary Association for collating the facts for this blog post.

If you read more about COVID-19 and our pets you can visit

World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
World Organisation for Animal Health

Rouse Hill Family Vets Clinic Opening April 2020!