Over the course of the last month, the coronavirus has been one of the most talked about viruses. Despite the popularity over it, there is not much known about what doctors can do to heal the more than 60,000 people infected with it.

As of a week ago, The World Health Organization declared the virus to be a “global health emergency.” Along with worrying over themselves, many pet owners are starting to put masks over their dogs in fear over their health. This raises an important question of whether dogs and cats, along with other pets, can contact the virus.

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs can indeed get the virus. The virus however is not what humans have, and is just a form of it known as canine respiratory coronavirus. This version is harmless and not a threat to pets.

Li Lijuan who is an epidemiologist (public health professionals who research patterns of disease and injury in humans), warns pet owners to be cautious. Li explains that if pets come into contact with the virus, they too just like humans, should be isolated.

The CDC recommends that people should avoid both infected living and dead animals. The disease did originally come from animals, but is now being spread person to person.

The CDC reassures any people living in the US that there is no reason to think that the animals and pets in the US are a source of infection for the new virus.