As America continues to come to terms with COVID-19 and all the proper safety protocols to avoid contracting or spreading the virus, the guidance isn’t yet crystal clear about how to handle those precautions with family pets.
The Center for Disease Control has established guidelines that call the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people low. Even so, the CDC says information is still being gathered about the virus and that “it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations.”
With that in mind, Dr. Caroline Wilde, a staff veterinarian from pet insurer Trupanion, addressed the question of whether or not it is safe to have family dogs sleep their owner’s beds.
The situation has potential for spreading illness as is, Trupanion notes, but it is also a habit that both human and animal can still enjoy based on an individual’s health and other factors.
“I have three dogs which all sleep in the bed with me, each with their own designated spot, so I guess that would indicate that it is at least OK for me,” she said. “I personally enjoy the companionship, and the chihuahua’s little body generates so much heat, I don’t need an electric blanket on cold winter nights. These dogs have always slept with me and I feel guilty if I kick them out for whatever reason.”
Trupanion adds that it has not seen significant illnesses in pets due to COVID-19, but precautions are still necessary to make the sleeping arrangement safe and healthy. Those safeguards include wiping your dog’s paws after it has been outside, washing your hands, regular grooming, regular fecal exams and deworming, and changing your sheets regularly.
Barring any behavior or health issues, sharing a bed with pets can still be considered safe and can even strengthen the bond between pets and their parents. Maintaining sleep routines can also be beneficial for pets, Wilde added.
“Dogs, just like people get used to a habit,” she said. “While I don’t think that they suffer when they are kicked out of the bed, it will take some time to adjust to the new routine, and it might be hard to break them of the habit.”