Yes, dogs can get COVID-19 from humans, but it seems to happen rarely and usually causes mild or no symptoms in dogs.

Can Dogs Get COVID From Humans? (Quick Scoop)

Short answer

  • Yes, dogs can catch the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) from infected people they live or cuddle with.
  • The overall risk to dogs appears low , and most infected dogs are asymptomatic or only mildly ill.
  • Dogs are not considered an important source of COVID-19 infection for people; human‑to‑human spread is still the main problem.

How transmission to dogs happens

When people talk about “can dogs get covid from humans,” they’re talking about reverse zoonosis —virus moving from humans back into animals.

Common patterns:

  • Close contact with a COVID‑positive owner, especially:
    • Cuddling, sleeping in the same bed, face kissing, sharing food.
  • Living in a household where one or more people are actively infected.

Example from studies:

  • In one U.S. household study, about 15% of dogs in homes with COVID‑positive people tested positive by PCR or antibodies at some point.
  • Dogs that lived with infected owners were significantly more likely to have antibodies than dogs from COVID‑negative households.

So yes, the virus can “spill over” from humans into dogs, but it doesn’t appear to take off widely in dog populations.

What COVID looks like in dogs

Most dogs that test positive either feel normal or only a little “off.”

Reported signs include:

  • Mild:
    • Sneezing, coughing, runny nose.
* Tiredness, decreased appetite.
  • Occasionally:
    • Digestive upset (vomiting or diarrhea).

Current research:

  • Reviews note that infected dogs are often asymptomatic , and it’s still unclear if COVID significantly harms their health in most cases.
  • Severe disease in dogs appears to be very uncommon compared with people, likely due to lower ACE2 receptor compatibility in their respiratory tract.

If your dog seems unwell and someone in the home has COVID, vets generally suggest calling ahead, describing symptoms, and following clinic instructions.

Can dogs give COVID back to humans?

This is the other half of the question many pet owners worry about. Current consensus from major health bodies:

  • Dogs are considered low risk for spreading COVID-19 to people.
  • There is no evidence that people get COVID from touching a dog’s fur, skin, or hair.
  • The main way COVID still spreads is human respiratory droplets and aerosols—people breathing, talking, coughing near each other.

Some research notes:

  • It’s important to distinguish “dogs can be infected” from “dogs effectively transmit to humans”; the latter appears rare and not a major driver of the pandemic.

So you should care for your dog as normal, but not see them as a big COVID threat.

What to do if you have COVID and a dog

If you test positive and you’re googling “can dogs get covid from humans” at 2 a.m., here’s the practical, vet‑aligned advice.

1. Reduce close contact (temporarily)

Try to:

  1. Avoid:
    • Face kissing, letting them lick your face, sharing food or dishes.
  1. Keep some distance:
    • If possible, let a healthy household member handle feeding, walks, and play.
  1. Mask around your pet:
    • If you must care for your dog while sick, wearing a mask and washing hands before and after contact can reduce spillover risk.

2. Watch for symptoms

Call your vet if, while you are (or recently were) COVID‑positive, your dog shows:

  • New cough or breathing changes.
  • Unusual tiredness, not eating, hiding.
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, or sudden change in behavior.

Tell the clinic that someone in the home has or had COVID so they can take proper precautions.

3. Do not disinfect your dog

  • Avoid using alcohol, surface cleaners, hand sanitizer, or wipes on fur or skin; these can be harmful or toxic to pets.
  • Use normal pet‑safe shampoo if your vet recommends a bath.

Dogs, “dog coronavirus,” and confusion

You might also see posts about “coronavirus in dogs” and get mixed messages.

Important distinctions:

  • SARS‑CoV‑2:
    • The human virus that causes COVID‑19, which can occasionally infect dogs via humans.
  • Canine coronavirus (CCoV):
    • A different dog‑specific virus that affects mainly the gut and does not infect people.

Some vet sites emphasize that canine coronavirus is “different from COVID-19” to reassure owners that their dog’s usual “coronavirus vaccine” is not COVID‑related.

Forum & trending angle

Because COVID is still part of daily life, “can dogs get covid from humans” keeps popping up in forums and Q&A threads whenever:

  • A household has an active case and a dog that acts a bit off.
  • People read about zoo animals or cats testing positive and extrapolate to dogs.

Common themes in discussions:

“I’m positive for COVID and my dog keeps snuggling me—am I hurting him?”

Replies typically echo expert guidance:

  • Yes, infection is possible but low risk;
  • Try to minimize close snuggling while you’re most contagious;
  • Watch for mild respiratory or GI signs and call your vet if you’re worried.

Quick FAQ

Can dogs get COVID from humans?
Yes, but it’s uncommon and usually mild or symptom‑free.

Is my dog a big risk for giving COVID to me?
Current evidence says the risk is low; human‑to‑human spread is the main concern.

Should I isolate from my dog if I’m positive?
You don’t have to totally ignore them, but it’s wise to reduce close face contact, have someone else care for them if possible, and use hand hygiene and a mask when close.

Do I need to test my dog?
Testing is usually only considered if a dog has symptoms and known exposure, and a vet recommends it.

SEO bits (meta + note)

  • Focus keyword naturally answered: “can dogs get covid from humans” with up‑to‑date risk, symptoms, and behavior guidance.
  • This is general info; always follow local vet and public health advice.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.