Can our dogs bring the virus into the house from their paws?

PopsnTuff

PopsnTuff

Well-known Member
Location
Virginia USA
My son and I have been pondering this thought since our poochie goes for walks each day in the neighborhood, and we know how germy the ground is, and he walks along the pathways leading to our front and back stairs, after the delivery people have walked there....any thoughts on this...
does anyone wash their paws off with soap and water each time or use doggie boots/shoes?
 

According to what I’ve read, dogs can’t get this virus but can be carriers of it so if anyone that has this virus is told to stay away from their animals while being quarantined or their pets can spread it.
That’s not to say I’m right. It’s merely my understanding if it.
 
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PopsnTuff said:
does anyone wash their paws off with soap and water each time or use doggie boots/shoes?
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No. We don’t. It’s my understanding that the virus can only stay active for 3 days. The chance of someone who is contaminated coughing droplets or touching the ground and your dog touching the exact same spot I would think is slim to none but not impossible. There’s a bigger chance if someone who has the virus pets your dog and your dog brings the virus home but if you are doing social distancing then this can’t happen.
 

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I don't know a definitive answer, but I've read that the virus doesn't survive on dogs and their fur. I personally am not worried about it. I walk my dog every day and my cat goes out in the yard and in front of the house for a couple of hours a day, in and out. They both come back in and step on our chairs, couch, bed, etc.

I usually take my shoes off when I get home just to be comfortable, but sometimes I have them on for a while, maybe because I have to go out again to run an errand. I imagine the virus can get into my house on my shoes or my pet's paws.....but I think the chances of that happening are very slim.

Keesha mentioned someone petting the dog who is infected, I think they would have to really handle the dog's collar for there to be cause for concern. The virus won't live on their fur or hair.

Today, I had to bring my dog to the vet for his heartworm medicine, he takes it every month of the year and his next dose is due May 1st. They insisted over the phone that he needed a blood test because it was two years since his last one. They had curbside service, no people went into the building, the techs came out to get the dogs.

Well, in order to be coronavirus safe, I put my dog's vacation collar on, so when they handled him I could just take off the collar at home and maybe put it in the garage for a few days, then clean it. Turns out they just looped their own leash on him and never touched the collar. They brought him out quickly with the years worth of meds, never got the bloodtest. She claimed he was good for one more year before needing one. So that was a big waste, I could have gone there without him, which is what I wanted to do initially.

So....I did think if he would bring the virus home at all, it would be on his collar. There have been people we know who pet him at the park while I keep my distance, he has a 26' retractable leash.....they really don't hold onto or grab his collar at all. I'm pretty careful about the virus, I had mask and gloves on today.....but I don't let it overwhelm me, not getting paranoid about it....just taking common sense steps. Still checking the mail with my gloves on, etc.
 
I often put my dog in the bathtub and wash her feet off after being outside with her. We often stay inside though and she uses her pee pee pads and does her business on them real good. The pads are attached to plastic pp pad holders. I'm really impressed with how good she uses them! (They have the plastic holders at Chewy.com if interested)

I also take her out late at night now. Last time was 12:30 am. No one is around then. Sometimes we just got to get outside for a bit.
 
SeaBreeze said:
I don't know a definitive answer, but I've read that the virus doesn't survive on dogs and their fur. I personally am not worried about it. I walk my dog every day and my cat goes out in the yard and in front of the house for a couple of hours a day, in and out. They both come back in and step on our chairs, couch, bed, etc.

I usually take my shoes off when I get home just to be comfortable, but sometimes I have them on for a while, maybe because I have to go out again to run an errand. I imagine the virus can get into my house on my shoes or my pet's paws.....but I think the chances of that happening are very slim.

Keesha mentioned someone petting the dog who is infected, I think they would have to really handle the dog's collar for there to be cause for concern. The virus won't live on their fur or hair.

Today, I had to bring my dog to the vet for his heartworm medicine, he takes it every month of the year and his next dose is due May 1st. They insisted over the phone that he needed a blood test because it was two years since his last one. They had curbside service, no people went into the building, the techs came out to get the dogs.

Well, in order to be coronavirus safe, I put my dog's vacation collar on, so when they handled him I could just take off the collar at home and maybe put it in the garage for a few days, then clean it. Turns out they just looped their own leash on him and never touched the collar. They brought him out quickly with the years worth of meds, never got the bloodtest. She claimed he was good for one more year before needing one. So that was a big waste, I could have gone there without him, which is what I wanted to do initially.

So....I did think if he would bring the virus home at all, it would be on his collar. There have been people we know who pet him at the park while I keep my distance, he has a 26' retractable leash.....they really don't hold onto or grab his collar at all. I'm pretty careful about the virus, I had mask and gloves on today.....but I don't let it overwhelm me, not getting paranoid about it....just taking common sense steps. Still checking the mail with my gloves on, etc.
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Thanks to you too @SeaBreeze for sharing your experiences with your poochie....that curb service sounds great....our pets are probably just as jittery and nervous being taken from the car as opposed to us walking them in.....haven't experienced that yet....
and thats a great idea with changing the collars like we do our shoes.....
Stay safe, your family too xo
 
Ruthanne said:
I often put my dog in the bathtub and wash her feet off after being outside with her. We often stay inside though and she uses her pee pee pads and does her business on them real good. The pads are attached to plastic pp pad holders. I'm really impressed with how good she uses them! (They have the plastic holders at Chewy.com if interested)

I also take her out late at night now. Last time was 12:30 am. No one is around then. Sometimes we just got to get outside for a bit.
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That's what my son has been doing....right into the tub but he cusses and complains about it the whole time....he puts the dog thru too much stress, along with himself, ugh.....and we used to have those pee pads all over the house when our last canine lost control over his potty duties....was that a challenge.....
You too stay safe with the fam.....
 
Keesha said:
According to what I’ve read, dogs can’t get this virus but can be carriers of it so if anyone that has this virus is told to stay away from their animals while being quarantined or their pets can spread it.
That’s not to say I’m right. It’s merely my understanding if it.
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Yeah I read that too @Keesha .... of course we don't know for sure thats why I started this topic.
Stay safe and your fam too.
 
PopsnTuff said:
Thanks to you too @SeaBreeze for sharing your experiences with your poochie....that curb service sounds great....our pets are probably just as jittery and nervous being taken from the car as opposed to us walking them in.....haven't experienced that yet....
and thats a great idea with changing the collars like we do our shoes.....
Stay safe, your family too xo
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Thanks PopsnTuff, I had a leash for him that I don't normally use too, but all that was unnecessary. My dog never goes with anyone but me or my husband, so I let him out through my driver side door, and had her let him back in through the back seat door. The girl was nice and friendly, so he did okay. Never even getting jabbed with a needle, he was a happy camper. :giggle:

I made a big order for tomorrow at the pet store for dog and cat food/treats....haven't been shopping and wanted to have enough for a good long time so I don't have to go into stores unless absolutely needed. They'll bring the stuff out curbside, and put it in the back of my Jeep tomorrow.....no contact. It's a local mom and pop store that I've been going to for years, nice supporting those folks who are struggling a bit now with the new regulations....glad so many are eager to serve with curbside or delivery.
 
PopsnTuff said:
That's what my son has been doing....right into the tub but he cusses and complains about it the whole time....he puts the dog thru too much stress, along with himself, ugh.....and we used to have those pee pads all over the house when our last canine lost control over his potty duties....was that a challenge.....
You too stay safe with the fam.....
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My dog likes getting in the tub and after I take her out and partially dry her feet she tears through the apartment and has a good time of it. I find it really easy to use the pp pads. I've been doing it for years now and she just goes and I just roll them up, put a fresh one down and then throw the used one in the trash. I've been using them for a long time so she can go if I happen to sleep too much any days or if it's too cold to go out and conversely if it's too hot out (so we can stay cool inside) and now because I have days when I just don't want to go out because of the fear of the virus.
 
There was a short piece on the ABC Evening News, this evening, stating that a couple of pets have been diagnosed with this virus, and something about a tiger at a zoo also having the illness. I was only paying partial attention, so I didn't get the details, but you can view tonight's broadcast on the Internet tomorrow. If this bug is being passed between humans and animals, that adds even more mystery to this thing.
 
I was the one that posted the tiger and other cats in the zoo @Don and I agree, do we really know for sure if the virus can be passed back and forth, ugh....
 

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