The concern about whether petting a dog could lead to a coronavirus infection is a natural worry for many pet owners. Since SARS-CoV-2 primarily spreads through respiratory droplets, questions arose regarding transmission risk from contaminated surfaces, including a dog’s fur. Assessing the risk requires understanding the difference between a dog being a passive carrier on its coat and an actively infected host.
Assessing the Risk of Surface Transmission
The possibility of contracting SARS-CoV-2 by touching a dog’s coat relates to fomite transmission, where an object or surface acts as a temporary carrier for infectious agents. Scientific consensus indicates that this specific route poses a negligible risk to human health. The virus survives for a much shorter duration on porous and fibrous materials, such as hair or fur, compared to hard surfaces like plastic or metal.
While a dog’s fur could theoretically carry viral particles if a sick person coughed or sneezed directly onto it, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated there is no evidence that the virus spreads to people from the skin, fur, or hair of pets. Studies investigating dogs and cats living with infected owners found that the animals did not passively carry the virus on their hair. For transmission to occur, the viral load transferred would need to be sufficient, which is an extremely low likelihood following a brief interaction like petting.
Can Dogs Actually Contract SARS-CoV-2
Dogs can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, although this occurs primarily after close and prolonged contact with an infected human. The virus is capable of spreading from people to animals, but the reverse—transmission from a pet to a person—is considered a low-risk event. When dogs become infected, they typically exhibit mild or no symptoms, meaning they are not actively spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing.
The detection of viral fragments in a dog does not equate to the ability to transmit the disease effectively to humans. Dogs are not considered a significant driver of the pandemic, and the global number of naturally infected pets remains vastly lower than the number of human cases. Public health authorities concur that there is no scientific evidence that dogs can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to people under natural conditions.
Simple Hygiene Tips for Pet Owners
While the risk of transmission from petting a dog is low, maintaining good hygiene practices around pets is always a recommended public health measure. The most effective step is washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds immediately after interacting with your pet, especially before eating or touching your face. This practice helps prevent the spread of many different germs.
If you are sick with COVID-19, take precautions to limit contact with your dog, just as you would with other people in your household. This includes avoiding petting, snuggling, or sharing food with your pet until your symptoms improve. If you must care for your dog while ill, wear a face mask, and have another household member take over care responsibilities if possible. Pet owners should avoid putting face masks on their dogs or wiping their fur with chemical disinfectants, which could cause harm to the animal.