Yes, infected pets can potentially spread mpox to humans through close contact, but pet-to-human transmission is uncommon.
When mpox cases rose worldwide in 2022, many pet owners asked the same question: could the family dog or cat catch it, or pass it on? The honest answer is reassuring, but it deserves a proper explanation.
While providing pet grooming in Abu Dhabi, a client once brought in a pet with unusual skin sores. Before starting the grooming, I noticed that the lesions did not look like a normal skin irritation. Since certain infections, including mpox, can involve skin lesions, I decided not to take any risk. I explained the concern to the owner and advised them to visit a veterinarian first. The client took the pet to the vet for assessment before returning for grooming.
What Mpox Is
Mpox is an orthopoxvirus, a relative of the viruses behind smallpox and cowpox. It causes a rash that develops into pustules and scabs, often with fever and swollen lymph nodes. There are two main clades. Clade I has historically caused more severe illness, and clade II drove the 2022 global outbreak.
How It Spreads
Between people, mpox spreads through close contact: skin-to-skin contact with lesions, respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact, and contaminated items such as bedding and towels.
In parts of Central and West Africa, people have also caught it from wild animals through bites, scratches, handling infected animals or preparing bushmeat. Scientists have not confirmed the natural reservoir, but African rodents such as rope squirrels and Gambian pouched rats are the main suspects.
The Animal Cases That Shaped Our Understanding
The best-known animal-to-human outbreak happened in the US in 2003. A shipment of African rodents imported as exotic pets was housed near prairie dogs, which were then sold as pets. The prairie dogs became infected, and 47 people caught mpox from them. That episode shows where the real animal risk lies: exotic and wild-caught rodents, not typical household pets.
For dogs, there is one well-documented case, reported in 2022. An Italian greyhound in Paris caught mpox from its owners, who shared a bed with it. That was human-to-dog transmission. No case has been confirmed of a dog or cat passing mpox to a person. Health agencies still advise infected people to avoid close contact with pets while they recover, as a precaution rather than a response to a proven risk.
Mpox in the UAE Today
The UAE confirmed its first mpox case in May 2022, and health authorities have continued to monitor cases as newer strains spread internationally. The WHO declared an international emergency over clade Ib in 2024 and lifted it in September 2025. Since guidance can change, check the Department of Health Abu Dhabi or the Ministry of Health and Prevention for current advice. The UAE’s strict controls on importing exotic animals also reduce the type of animal exposure seen in 2003.
What This Means for Grooming
A groomer sees more of a pet’s skin than almost anyone else, which makes grooming a good early-warning point rather than a danger point. The practical rules are these:
Stop if you see unexplained lesions. Pustules, crusted sores or ulcerated patches can have many causes, most of them nothing to do with mpox. Either way, the animal should see a vet before grooming continues.
Treat towels and bedding as possible carriers. Launder them hot between animals, and bag anything used on an animal with skin lesions.
Ask about the household. If an owner is currently unwell with mpox, the pet should skip its appointment until the owner recovers, because the pet may carry the virus on its fur.
Take extra care with exotic small mammals. Rodents are where the historical risk sits, so wear gloves and wash hands carefully.
Dogs can potentially be infected with mpox after close contact with an infected person, but confirmed infections in companion dogs are uncommon.
For a broader look at pet linked viruses, their possible transmission routes, and the precautions pet owners and groomers can take, see Top 10 Pet Viruses, covering rabies, mpox, hantavirus, and other infections that can affect humans through contact with infected animals.
FAQs
1. Can pets spread mpox to humans?
Yes, infected animals can potentially transmit mpox through close contact, but pet-to-human transmission is uncommon.
2. Can mpox spread during pet grooming?
Close contact with an infected pet’s skin lesions or body fluids could create a transmission risk.
3. What should groomers do if a pet has unusual sores?
Grooming should be paused, and the pet should be assessed by a veterinarian.
4. Can dogs and cats get mpox?
Animals can potentially become infected through close contact with an infected person, although confirmed pet infections are uncommon.
5. How can pet groomers reduce mpox risk?
Avoid handling animals with unexplained lesions, use appropriate hygiene practices, and refer suspicious cases to a veterinarian.
