There’s no evidence the respiratory illness affecting dogs can spread to cats or humans

A respiratory illness is spreading among dogs in multiple states, including Colorado and Oregon. 

Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences says the illness “has been linked to cases of severe pneumonia and, tragically, resulted in some fatalities.” This illness is different from “kennel cough,” a broad term used to refer to coughing and respiratory illness in dogs.

Since much is still unknown about the respiratory illness, many people are wondering about its transmission. Multiple VERIFY readers, including Joe and Frances, reached out to ask whether the illness can also spread to cats and humans. 

THE QUESTION

Can the respiratory illness affecting dogs be spread to cats or humans?

THE SOURCES

• Rena Carlson, DVM, president of American Veterinary Medical Association

• Melissa Thompson DVM, vice president of Animal Welfare and Medical Services, Arizona Humane Society

• Lindsey Ganzer, DVM, CEO of North Springs Veterinarian Center

• Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

• Washington State Department of Agriculture

• Oregon Veterinary Medical Association

• Cornell Feline Health Center

• University of New Hampshire College of Life Sciences and Agriculture  

THE ANSWER

No, there is no evidence the respiratory illness affecting dogs can be passed to cats or humans. 

Get VERIFY's Fast Facts newsletter delivered daily to your inbox!

WHAT WE FOUND

As researchers and veterinarians continue to study the mysterious respiratory illness affecting dogs, experts say there’s no evidence this illness can also spread to cats or people.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the University of New Hampshire College of Life Sciences and Agriculture both say the illness has not been transmitted to humans. 

“Evidence at this point suggests that this infection has been limited to dogs,” the University of New Hampshire College of Life Science and Agriculture says.

Lindsey Ganzer, DVM, is CEO of North Springs Veterinarian Center, where around 35 cases of the illness have been treated since October. Ganzer says, “Currently there is no evidence that this respiratory pathogen is transmittable from species to species.”

A spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association told VERIFY they are “still waiting for confirmation on the scope and cause(s) of these illnesses,” but don’t think it’s likely dogs could infect their owners. 

“In general, the risk of people getting sick from dogs with canine infectious respiratory disease is extremely low,” AVMA President Rena Carlson, DVM, said in a statement. Carlson added that since the cause of this illness is still being researched, “it’s a good idea to thoroughly wash your hands after handling your or other dogs.”

Illnesses that transfer from species to species, such as from dog to human, are referred to as zoonotic illnesses. Examples of these include rabies and ringworm, Melissa Thompson, DVM, says. 

“There are so many diseases out there and not a lot of them are transmissible between different species, so usually, they tend to be more species-specific,” Thompson adds.

While diseases can evolve and change, Thompson says that “if there was something that was going to be passing to people, we probably would have already seen people falling ill with this.”

It’s important to note that cats can still catch other respiratory illnesses from bacteria and viruses, typically in high-density areas like shelters. Symptoms to look out for with cats include sneezing, not wanting to eat, and nasal or eye discharge, Thompson says.

It’s recommended that dog owners take precautions, such as making sure dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations and avoiding contact with unknown dogs. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association says symptoms of the dog respiratory illness include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge and lethargy.