Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can spread between animals and people, and is caused by Monkeypox virus, an Orthopoxvirus. While the animal reservoir is unknown, small mammals (rope and sun squirrels, giant-pouched rats, African dormice) are thought to maintain the virus in the environments of West and Central Africa. People can get infected with the virus through direct contact with infected animals, often while hunting, trapping, and processing infected animals or the infected body parts and fluids of animals. Small mammals can carry the virus, sometimes without apparent symptoms, while non-human primates can get sick with monkeypox and have signs of disease like humans. In 2003, an outbreak of monkeypox in domesticated prairie dogs occurred after they shared bedding and caging with a shipment of infected small mammals from West Africa. This led to 47 human cases in 6 states in the United States. Instances of animal-to-animal and animal-to-person spread, such as the 2003 outbreak, demonstrate the need to reduce the risk of secondary infections to and from animals by isolating infected people as well as exposed and infected animals.

What we know about monkeypox in animals

• Monkeypox virus can infect a wide range of mammal species, including monkeys, anteaters, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, squirrels, and shrews.
• We are still learning which species of animals can get monkeypox. While we do not know if reptiles, amphibians, or birds can get monkeypox, it is unlikely since these animals have not been found to be infected with other orthopoxviruses.
• Not all animals may have a rash when they have monkeypox.
• There are no reports of sick people transmitting Monkeypox virus to animals.
• Infected animals can spread Monkeypox virus to people, and it is possible that people who are infected can spread Monkeypox virus to animals through close contact, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food.
• Monkeypox virus can be found in the rash caused by monkeypox (scabs, crusts, fluids) and infected bodily fluids, including respiratory secretions, and potentially in urine and feces.

We are still learning about which mammals are susceptible to infection. We should assume any mammal can be infected with Monkeypox virus. The table shows which animals can be infected with Monkeypox virus or other closely related orthopoxviruses.

*Indicates that not all animals of this type are susceptible, this may vary by species, and variety or strain of the animal.

It is possible that people with mpox can spread the virus to animals through close contact, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food. Additionally, some animals infected with mpox virus can spread it to people and other animals.

People with mpox should avoid contact with animals, including pets, domestic animals, and wildlife to prevent spreading the virus. If your pet is exposed to mpox virus:

• Do not surrender, euthanize, or abandon pets just because of a potential exposure to mpox virus.

• Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.

If the person with mpox did NOT have close contact with pets after symptom onset, ask friends or family members who live in a separate home to be the animal’s caretaker until the person with mpox fully recovers. Close contact includes petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food.

After the person with mpox is recovered, disinfect your home before bringing healthy animals back; follow guidance in Disinfecting Home and Other Non-Healthcare Settings.

Pets that had close contact with a person with mpox symptoms should be kept at home and away from other animals and people for 21 days after the most recent contact. If possible, infected people should not continue to take care of exposed pets. The person with mpox should avoid close contact with the exposed animal, and when possible, ask another household member to care for the animal until the person with mpox is fully recovered.

In some cases, it may be necessary to isolate and care for animals that have been exposed to mpox in a location other than the home. For example, people who are immunocompromised, pregnant, have young children present (under 8 years of age), or with a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema, should not provide care for animals that had close contact with a person with mpox as they may be at increased risk for serious illness from mpox.

If you have mpox and must care for your healthy pets during home isolation, wash your hands, or use an alcohol-based hand rub, before and after caring for them. It is also important to cover any skin rash to the best extent possible (for example, wear long sleeves or long pants), and wear gloves and a well-fitting mask or respirator while providing care for your animals.

• Do not put a mask on your pet.
• Avoid close contact with your pet.
• Ensure your pet cannot inadvertently come into contact with contaminated items in the home such as clothing, sheets, and towels used by the person with mpox.
• Do not let animals come into contact with rashes, bandages, and body fluids.
• Ensure food, toys, bedding, or other items that you provide for your animal during its isolation do not come in direct contact with skin or uncovered rash.

What to do if a pet shows signs of mpox

While we do not know all the symptoms infected animals may have, watch the animal for potential signs of illness including lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, nasal and/or eye secretions or crust, bloating, fever, and/or pimple- or blister-like skin rash. Call your veterinarian if you notice an animal appears sick within 21 days of having contact with a person who has probable or confirmed mpox. A veterinarian can help notify your state public health veterinarian or state animal health official.

• Do not euthanize pets with suspected mpox unless directed by a veterinarian.
• Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.

Steps to take if you think your pet has mpox

• Get your pet tested if they have had close contact with a person with probable or confirmed mpox and they have a new rash or two other clinical signs. Call your veterinarian if you notice an animal appears sick within 21 days of having contact with a person who has probable or confirmed mpox. A veterinarian can help notify your state public health veterinarian or state animal health official.
  • Possible clinical signs of mpox in animals include lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, bloating, nasal and/or eye secretions or crust, fever, and/or pox-like skin lesions (may initially resemble a pimple or blister before progression to a characteristic mpox lesion) or rash.
• Separate the sick pet or animal from other pets or animals and minimize direct contact with people for at least 21 days after becoming ill or until fully recovered.
  • It is preferable to keep pets or animals with signs of illness isolated in their home and away from anyone who has not had mpox.
  • People who are immunocompromised, pregnant, have young children present (under 8 years of age), or with a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema, should not provide care for sick pets or animals that had close contact with a person with mpox.
• Wash your hands often and use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for and cleaning up after sick pets or animals. PPE includes wearing gloves, using eye protection (safety glasses, goggles, or face shield), wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator (ideally a disposable NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator), and wearing a disposable gown.
  • If a disposable gown is not available, wear clothing that fully covers the skin (i.e. long sleeves, long pants), and immediately remove and launder clothing after contact with the animal, animal enclosures, or animal bedding.
  • Carefully remove PPE to avoid self-contamination.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand rub or wash hands with soap and water after PPE has been removed.
• Consult your local public health department for guidelines for waste disposal, but general precautions include:
  • Use a dedicated, lined trash can for all potentially contaminated waste.
  • Do not leave or dispose of waste outdoors as mpox virus infections in wildlife may occur.
  • If appropriate for the species and your plumbing system, flush animal waste down the toilet.
  • Disposable animal housing, disposable rodent bedding, and animal waste that cannot be flushed down the toilet should be sealed in a bag and disposed of properly to prevent these materials from infecting people or other animals, including wild animals and household pests like mice and rats. 
• Bedding, enclosures, food dishes, and any other items in direct contact with infected animals must be properly disinfected following the Disinfecting Home and Other Non-Healthcare Settings.
• Soiled laundry and bedding (including disposable rodent bedding) should not be shaken or otherwise handled in a manner that may disperse infectious particles.

While we do not know all the symptoms infected animals may have, watch the animal for potential signs of illness including lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, nasal secretions or crust, bloating, fever, and/or pimple- or blister-like skin rash. Call you veterinarian if you notice an animal appears sick within 21 days of having contact with a person who has probable or confirmed monkeypox. A veterinarian can help notify your state public health veterinarian or state animal health official.

• Do not euthanize pets with suspected monkeypox unless directed by a veterinarian.
• Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.

• Get your pet tested if they have had close contact with a person with probable or confirmed monkeypox and they have a new rash or two other clinical signs. Call you veterinarian if you notice an animal appears sick within 21 days of having contact with a person who has probable or confirmed monkeypox. A veterinarian can help notify your state public health veterinarian or state animal health official.
  • Possible clinical signs of monkeypox in animals include lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, bloating, nasal and/or eye secretions or crust, fever, and/or pox-like skin lesions (may initially resemble a pimple or blister before progression to a characteristic monkeypox lesion) or rash.
• Separate the sick pet or animal from other animals and minimize direct contact with people for at least 21 days after becoming ill or until fully recovered.
  • It is preferable to keep animals with signs of illness isolated in their home and away from anyone who has not had monkeypox.
  • People who are immunocompromised, pregnant, have young children present (<8 years of age), or with a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema, should not provide care for ill animals that had close contact with a person with monkeypox.
• Wash your hands often and use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for and cleaning up after sick animals. PPE includes wearing gloves, using eye protection (safety glasses, goggles, or face shield), wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator (ideally a disposable NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator), and wearing a disposable gown.
  • If a disposable gown is not available, wear clothing that fully covers the skin (i.e. long sleeves, long pants), and immediately remove and launder clothing after contact with the animal, animal enclosures, or animal bedding.
  • Carefully remove PPE to avoid self-contamination.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand rub or wash hands with soap and water after PPE has been removed.
• Consult your local public health department for guidelines for waste disposal, but general precautions include:
  • Use a dedicated, lined trash can for all potentially contaminated waste.
  • Do not leave or dispose of waste outdoors as Monkeypox virus infections in wildlife may occur.
  • If appropriate for the species and your plumbing system, flush animal waste down the toilet.
  • Disposable animal housing, disposable rodent bedding, and animal waste that cannot be flushed down the toilet should be sealed in a bag and disposed of properly to prevent these materials from infecting people or other animals, including wild animals and household pests like mice and rats. Follow guidelines for household disinfection.
• Bedding, enclosures, food dishes, and any other items in direct contact with infected animals must be properly disinfected following the household disinfection guidance.
• Soiled laundry and bedding (including disposable rodent bedding) should not be shaken or otherwise handled in a manner that may disperse infectious particles.
• For household disinfection, follow the general guidance on cleaning and disinfecting non-healthcare settings.