Publication - Advice and guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for animal owners

Published: 2 Oct 2020

Last updated: 19 Jul 2021 - see all updates

Directorate:: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Part of:: Coronavirus in Scotland, Farming and rural, Health and social care

Advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on looking after the health and welfare of their animals during the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for animal owners

General precautions

General precautions to take with live animals or animal products

General hygiene measures should be applied, including regular handwashing with soap and water, or a sanitising product, after touching animals and animal products.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth until your hands have been thoroughly washed.

As per general good food safety practices, raw meat and dairy products should be handled with care. Meat from healthy livestock that is cooked thoroughly remains safe to eat.

Self-isolating households

Overview

First published: 2 Oct 2020 Last updated: 19 Jul 2021 - show all updates

19 Jul 2021
Updates to Vets, boarding kennels and catteries and Dog walking to reflect move to Level 0.
17 Jun 2021
Added new section on ferrets.
3 Jun 2021
Farm animals and livestock page updated.
18 May 2021
Added a chapter on bees (merged with a separate bee guide).
7 Apr 2021
Travel with ferrets information updated.
23 Feb 2021
Overview updated to reflect latest position.
11 Jan 2021
All pages updated to reflect latest position.
14 Dec 2020
Updated guidance on self-isolating households relating to isolation period.
20 Nov 2020
Updated to include guidance for ferret owners
11 Nov 2020
Link to guidance for beekeepers updated.
26 Oct 2020
Updated access rights section.
20 Oct 2020
Added information on beekeeping.
19 Oct 2020
Added text to livestock page on face coverings and beekeeping.
9 Oct 2020
Updated text on self isolation added to self isolation and farm animals and livestock pages.
2 Oct 2020
addition of link to General guidance for farmers, crofters and other agricultural workers about how to work safely during this time and prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Overview page
2 Oct 2020
Changes made to advice on dogs page.
27 Jul 2020
Text was reviewed and updated to bring into line with the Phase 3 guide.
24 Jul 2020
Updated to include emerging evidence that some animals can become infected with COVID-19.

Accessibility links

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for animal owners

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General precautions to take with live animals or animal products

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