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COVID-19 Tips
PetPom
The 
Pomeranian
Information
Center

Care Tips Regarding Your Pomeranian
and the COVID-19 Coronavirus

This article will be kept current and be continually updated as new information develops. 
Originally published March 14, 2020

Last updated May 6, 2020

Overview

The novel coronavirus and COVID-19 (the disease it causes) has an effect on people around the globe. And though there are many aspects to consider, one that should not be overlooked is pet care during this time. 

In this article, we will answer some of your most common questions regarding Pomeranians and issues related to COVID-19 and offer a list of steps you can take to help maintain your Pomeranian’s health and well-being during this time. 

Please note: We believe it's important to focus on facts, not fear. With that in mind, we encourage our readers to take the time to carefully look over each section of this article. There is a lot to cover; however, it's really best to understand the full picture as opposed to just certain aspects. 

FAQ Regarding the Coronavirus and Pomeranians

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus different from the one that dogs can be vaccinated for? 
There are a few types of coronaviruses that can affect dogs. 

The coronavirus vaccine for canines, which is a non-core vaccine (meaning it is only given if a puppy is deemed high risk) is actually for the canine enteric coronavirus (CCV) which causes canine coronavirus disease (CCoV). CCoV is a gastrointestinal infection and is a completely different disease than COVID-19 which is caused by the new coronavirus (officially known as SARS-CoV-2). 

So, in other words, the coronavirus vaccine that is currently given to young pups is completely unrelated to the new coronavirus. 
How does a regular common canine cold compare to the coronavirus and COVID-19?
There are several types of colds that canines can get. One of the most common viruses that causes colds with dogs is the canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) and this is not the same as the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19.

CrCov, which can cause colds in dogs, was discovered in 2003 in England and it is species-specific, meaning that it can spread from dog to dog, but cannot spread to humans. CRCoV is very contagious between dogs; in fact, it's estimated that 50% of all adult dogs have had CRVoV at some point in their lives, based on studies that showed half of adult dogs tested had antibodies for it. By the way, human colds are also species-specific, meaning that if you have the common cold, you cannot give it to your Pom. 

Symptoms of common canine colds range from mild to moderate (runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, etc.) but more serious cases are linked to kennel cough and more advanced respiratory infections. 
How does the canine flu compare to the coronavirus and COVID-19?
The canine influenza virus (CIV) that causes the canine flu (Canine influenza or CI) is not the same as the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. 

There are 2 strains of the canine flu (H3N8 and H3N2). H3N8 was first identified in 2004 with Greyhounds in Florida, USA (it is thought the virus jumped from horses to canines). H3N2 was first identified in South Korea, China and Thailand in 2006 (it is thought that the virus jumped from birds to canines) and was first seen in the US in 2015 in the Chicago area. 

The canine flu is extremely contagious; just about every dog that is exposed to it contracts it and about 80% then develop clinical signs (become ill). The canine flu causes acute respiratory infection (a dry or a wet cough). Some dogs also have nasal discharge, sneezing, lethargy, body aches, headache, fever, and/or decreased appetite. 
Could my Pomeranian catch the new coronavirus?
First, it’s important to note that testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus does not necessarily mean that a person or animal will then become ill with COVID-19 (the disease that the coronavirus can cause).  


At this time, so far two dogs in Hong Kong (a Pomeranian and a German Shepherd) and at least one dog in the US (a Pug) have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The two dogs from Hong Kong were asymptomatic (where not sick with COVID-19). The Pug was reportedly ill with a slight cough for several days before recovering, but it is not known if the sickness was the COVID-19 disease. 

There is no evidence that dogs can spread the infection to humans; all cases are believed to be human-to-dog transmissions and not the other way around. 

In regard to other animals, several domesticated house cats in the US and overseas and at several tigers and lions at a zoo in the US tested positive. Some were symptomatic (did show clinical signs of being ill with the COVID-19 disease). 
What should I do if my Pom appears to be sick with a cold or flu?
It’s very important to remember that canines can catch colds (due to the canine respiratory coronavirus, as mentioned earlier, among other viruses). They can also get the flu (due to either the H3N8 and H3N2 viruses, as mentioned earlier); both are very contagious among dogs but cannot spread to humans.  

Signs of either a cold or the flu with dogs includes runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat (may show as disinterest in food), headache, body aches, and/or fever (typically low-grade).  

So, if your Pomeranian becomes sick with these cold-like symptoms, most likely it will be due to one of the viruses that canines commonly contend with or due contact or seasonal allergies or other health conditions commonly seen with canines. 
That said, in the case of cold symptoms, it’s always best to contact the veterinarian, and this is especially applicable if your Pomeranian was in close proximity to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The vet’s office will provide guidance on what to do next. Instructions may include a checkup or home care to treat and monitor symptoms. 

At-home treatment for a Pomeranian with a cold includes having them rest a lot, drink a lot, and stay eating (switch to bland foods such as unseasoned chicken and oatmeal, if necessary). 

You can use a warm, damp wash cloth on their face to wipe off nasal and/or eye discharge. If they have nasal or chest congestion, you can run a cool humidifier (like the Homasy Cool Mist Humidifier) close to their resting and sleeping areas. 

If your Pom's symptoms worsen (including trouble breathing), if they are not eating or drinking, or if symptoms do not improve after 2 to 3 weeks, call the veterinarian ASAP. 
Are veterinarians testing dogs for the coronavirus? 
As of right now, most vets are not testing dogs for the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). At this point, not enough humans are being tested, so it could be quite some time before testing dogs, cats, and other pets is routine. 

In case you're wondering, tests for pets will be available in the US and other countries, at least to some degree. One company, Idexx Labs, which is a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, has created test kits for dogs and cats. In mid-February, as part of a validation process of their new veterinary test system for the COVID-19 virus, they ran testing on thousands of specimens from both felines and canines (which were previously submitted to them). Though those pets were not necessarily suspected of having COVID-19, all tests came back negative. 

Dr. Blacka, a veterinarian and senior director at Idexx states, "COVID-19 is primarily transmitted person to person and that pets are not likely to contract the disease and probably have a low likelihood of spreading the disease."
Are there any safety tips? 
Before we dive into this, we want to again remind you that there is no evidence that dogs can become ill with COVID-19. And there is no evidence that dogs testing positive could spread the coronavirus to other dogs or to humans. In regard to the dogs that have tested positive for the new coronavirus, health officials including Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), believe that this is likely to be human-to-animal transmission, however rare that may be, and was due to very close contact with humans that were confirmed to be sick. 
So, out of an abundance of caution, here are some tips to help prevent the spread of germs in general and for overall good hygiene practices:

#1. Keep your dog clean, as recommended by The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). During this time, we recommend that as long as you are using quality bathing products such as an all-natural shampoo and conditioner that are beneficial to skin and coat health, baths can be given more frequently than normal, any time you deem it necessary and as often as every week or so on a regular basis (as opposed to every 3 weeks). 
If you've been outside with your Pomeranian and have been close to other people and/or dogs, or just feel it's time to get your Pom cleaned off a bit without doing a whole bath, you can use grooming wipes to wipe down the entire coat from head to tail. For this, we recommend something like Earthbath All Natural Grooming Wipes. 
#2. Routinely wash food and water dishes with hot water and soap, also as recommended by the AVMA. 

#3. Routinely wash your Pom's dog toys. Launder those that can be (such as washable stuffed animals) and wash others with hot water and dish soap.  
#4. Wash or wipe down your dog's paws after they have been outside, as recommended by the AKC. There is no evidence that the coronavirus can be tracked inside from the outside. However, this advice by the AKC does help to reduce germs in general from being brought into the house.
We recommend doing this in a sink or tub with water and some of your Pom's regular shampoo or for an easy way to clean just the paws and keep dirt and germs contained an option is to use a portable paw cleaner like the Dexas MudBuster Dog Paw Cleaner. 

#5. In regard to face masks on dogs, as of right now, there is no indication that having your Pomeranian wear a face mask would help prevent any sort of transmission. 
#6. Practice social distancing. This new way of doing things (for the time being) applies to your Pomeranian as well. When out on walks, try to keep at least 6 feet from other people. More info regarding exercise is ahead. 

#7. If you, or another household member, is sick with COVID-19, there are guidelines to help protect pets, and this is covered next. 
Are there guidelines for pet owners that are under home care and isolation? 
The answer to this is yes. Home care and isolation is the term used when a person has suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and they are under doctor orders to remain at home and stay separated from other household members. In regard to this type of isolation, the CDC lists a few steps to follow for pet care. Below we summarize these (#1 - #3), along with our own tips (#4). 
#1. Let your health provider know that you are a pet owner. In the U.S., your health care provider may then inform the State Public Health Veterinarian in order to help keep track of things, but as of now this is not mandatory. 

#2. Instructions to stay separated from others also applies to pets. It is recommended to remain in a different room, if possible. Household members that are not ill should take on pet care responsibilities including feeding, walking, bathing, etc., while you recover. This also means no hugging, cuddling, kissing, or petting your pets until you are feeling better. 

#3. If you live alone, and will still be caring for your pet, it’s recommended to thoroughly wash your hands before and after each care task and wear a facemask (if you have one). 

#4. Follow protocols to stop the spread of germs. Though the CDC does not specially recommend this advice under their ‘pet care’ guidelines, it's certainly part of their general advice, and even for those that live alone with their dogs it would seem prudent to follow the protocols of coughing into your elbow and routinely cleaning common household surfaces. 
Is it safe to walk my Pomeranian? Am I allowed to if I'm under a 'stay at home' order? 
For concise information regarding your particular city or town, check with your city and state's official list of instructions which should be posted to their public websites.

In regard to safety, in general, unless you have been instructed otherwise by your state's governor, city mayor, or other authority, it is considered safe to walk your dog as long as you maintain social distancing (keep at least 6 feet away from other people). You may also want to follow the previously listed safety tips which includes keeping your Pom clean and washing the paws after taking walks. 

In regard to what is and is not allowed, in general, if you are under 'stay at home' orders, this generally means you can still leave the house to go to the food store, bank, pharmacy, work (if applicable), and other essential places. And it generally means that you can go outside to walk your dog. Do note that dog parks are closed in some areas. 

Remember that getting outside for some exercise, fresh air, and sun is helpful for people and their dogs during times like this. More details regarding walks and exercise are ahead (tip #7). 
Under 'stay at home orders', are dog parks open? What about pet supply stores? 
For concise information regarding dog park and pet supply store closures in your particular city or town, check with your city and state's official information which should be posted to their public websites.

In regard to dog parks, in general, in areas that have 'stay at home' orders in place, many are temporarily closed. Even if your local dog park is open, since it can be difficult to implement proper social distancing when dogs are running around and their owners are not far behind, we recommend limiting walks to your neighborhood where you may be able to simply cross the street to maintain the recommended minimum 6-foot distancing. 
In regard to pet supply stores, in general, many cities and states consider these to be essential businesses. so they would be open, at least to some extent, during 'stay at home' or 'shelter in place' orders. Some pet stores are implementing methods of ordering at home with curb-side pickup to prevent crowding in the stores. So, do call ahead to your local pet supply shoppe to see which rules they may have in place.

Also, as of right now, Amazon considers pet supplies to be part of essential products and continues to stock and ship them. 

8 Steps to Help Maintain Your Pom’s Health and Emotional Well-being During the Pandemic

#1. Keep in mind that canines are excellent at picking up on their human’s feelings. It’s remarkable how skilled dogs are at reading non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions and recognizing their human’s emotions. But they also tend to mimic what they sense so this means that your worries can become your Pom’s stress. 

Dogs that suffer chronic stress can become depressed (lack of appetite, disinterest in things that they used to enjoy, etc.) or they may release their feelings with excessive barking, destructive chewing, or other such behaviors. 

So, it’s important to stay vigilant and be prepared but to also be a calm, steady ‘pack leader’.  
#2. Start now to enlist help for your Pom’s routine care tasks. In the very unlikely event that you should become sick, you’ll want others to care for your Pom while you recuperate, as per CDC recommendations that we covered earlier. If your Pom is not used to others caring for them, it’s a good idea to start rotating tasks now. Have the entire family split up responsibilities like feeding, walking, trips outside for bathroom needs, baths, brushing, and more. 
#3. Have adequate dog food, snack, and treat supplies for your Pom and be sure bulk food does not go stale. Unfortunately, as customers come across empty bottled water aisles and a lack of toilet paper, it’s a good lesson that everything is available until it’s not. 

The CDC’s recommendations are for two weeks’ worth of supplies, but some pet parents are stocking up a bit more, for 2 months or so, just to be safe. 

When stocking up on dry kibble and dog treats, you may want to use a bin like the Vittles Vault Airtight Pet Food Storage Container; this is easy to fill, easy to dispense, and prevents food from getting stale. 
#4. Have a plan in place for your Pom's drinking water. Hopefully, you are already following advice to steer clear of unfiltered tap water which is filled with contaminants ranging from Chromium-6 which affects 200 million people in every U.S. state to heavy metals which are linked to nervous system damage, organ damage, and cancer.
If you’re giving your Pom bottled spring water, that’s a great choice. But, in the event that bottled water is a bit hard to find in the stores or you feel you may not have enough in the case of self-isolation for weeks or longer, you may want to consider an alternative. 

There are several options in regard to home water filtering devices. This includes under-the-sink filtration systems (can be pricey but usually filter out the most toxins), smaller filtering systems that connect to the faucet like the Waterdrop NSF Certified Faucet Filtration System, and portable filtering pitchers. 
#5. If your Pomeranian has any topical or oral prescriptions, speak to the vet about having one to three extra months’ worth on hand. 

#6. Have adequate supplies of all your Pom’s regular care items. Decide what is needed to keep your Pomeranian clean and comfortable and aim to have at least two months’ worth on hand. This includes shampoo and conditioner, other coat products, dental care items like chews and sprays, flea repellent, ear cleanser solution, grooming wipes, poo bags, pee pads, and supplements. 
#7. Plan ahead for possible changes in daily exercise. Regular exercise has so many benefits (promotes a strong immune system, keeps the heart healthy, maintains good muscle mass, helps regulate the metabolism, helps with good digestion, etc.) that it’s wise to keep up with your Pom's physical activity, to the best of your ability, while you are spending more time at home. 

Most pet parents provide exercise via daily walks. Right now, it is considered safe to walk dogs, as long as social distancing is practiced (stay at least 6 feet from other people). And many states that have 'stay at home' orders allow people to head out to walk their dogs. But, in case you think that walks may need to be scaled back or stopped, now is the time to plan for alternative ways to keep your Pom moving. 

An easy and fun way to keep a dog active is via energetic games of fetch. It’s such a versatile activity that can be played indoors or out and it's easy to time the sessions and control the pace. If your Pom doesn’t already have a favorite fetch toy, consider something like colorful Zanies Mini Tennis Balls for Dogs which are perfectly sized for toy breed dogs. 
#8. Have boredom-busters for your Pom. A big challenge for everyone that practices social distancing by staying home more is how to keep busy. And this applies to our doggos as well. 

If you need some fun things to help keep your Pom occupied, here’s a few of our top favorites. 

1 - A snuffle mat like the Snuffle Mat by Stellaire Chern is an awesome way to keep a dog busy. This sort of toy is a soft mat that has multiple flaps of fabric that you tuck small treats into. A dog then uses their foraging skills to sniff them out. Most dogs love to use their sense of smell in this way and finding the treats makes this fun, self-rewarding "work".
2- An interactive toy like the Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball can be great for keeping a Pom entertained. This is a small ball that says all kinds of silly things when it’s pawed or nosed. It’ll keep speaking as long as your Pom plays with it and, to conserve batteries, it’ll shut off when your Pom takes a break.
3- A treat-dispensing toy is another option. One like the PetSafe Busy Buddy Barnacle Toy has 3 connected orbs that hold small dry treats that are released as a dog bites at it and plays with it. We love this one because it’s designed for small toy breeds (as well as larger dogs); the extra-small is for dogs under 10 lbs. and the small is for dogs 8 and up to 20 lbs. 
Tip: Snuffle mats, treat-dispensing toys, and other such dog toys work best when you use strongly-scented treats as incentive and if the treats are reserved just for these things (and not given as a snack or reward at other times) to help make it special. And of course, always opt for all-natural, no additives treats made in the USA. One of our top recommendations is Fruitables Crunchy Crispy Bacon Apple Treats. 

A Final Thought

It seems that each day brings more news that can cause anxiety. Lots of people are on edge, wondering what can be done. One of the most important things you can do as a pet parent is to be prepared, stay up-to-date on instructions by the CDC and other officials, and to be kind... Not only to your family members, friends, and neighbors, but to everyone. We are all in this together. 

Please remember that we will keep this page continually updated as new information develops. Though we will periodically send out newsletters to our members about those updates, we encourage you to check back often. And if you are not yet a PetPom member, you can sign up here for free so that you can receive our newsletters. 

And as always, PetPom sends you love, hugs, and Pomeranian kisses! 
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