Should you let a stranger pet your dog? Covid-19 risks explained by experts

Reports of pets testing positive for Covid-19 can make pet owners anxious about how best to keep their animals, and themselves, safe.

The number of verified infections in pets remains small: On Wednesday, the CDC announced that two cats living in separate areas of New York state are the first pets in the United States to test positive for the novel coronavirus. Two dogs have been diagnosed in China, although scientists say the virus has much more trouble replicating in canines.

and key takeaways quoted from the CDC:

Because there’s a chance that pets can spread the virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued four key rules:

* Don’t let pets interact with people or animals outside of your home.
* Keep cats indoors when possible.
* Walk dogs on a leash, staying 6 feet away from other people and animals.
* Avoid dog parks and other public places where people and dogs gather.

via: Should you let a stranger pet your dog? Covid-19 risks explained by experts