Covid-19 is causing a global panic. While humans are stressing and staying at home, pets all around are rejoicing, their best friend is home! Currently, there are very few (less than 10) cases of pets contracting Covid-19, however there has been a coronavirus that affects canines. However, there are many differences between CCoV and Covid-19. To start, although the viruses are in the same Family, they are in different Genus. There are actually four different Genus, alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and deltacoronavirus. CCoV is an alphacoronavirus, whereas SARS-CoV-2 is a betacoronavirus. Canine coronavirus affects the digestional tract, and has not been found in humans. Covid-19 is a respiratory virus that can be (rarely) transmitted to animals, but there have been no cases of a human becoming infected through an animal.
Animals have shown to be asymptomatic or have less severe symptoms of Covid-19, and can only become infected through contact with a human who has the virus.
The best way to keep your pet, and yourself, safe is to keep sanitation standards high. Wash your hands before and after handling food and waste, keep your dog away from others when walking.