Dogs, cats and other pets (such as horses) cannot usually contract the disease. However, they can be contaminated with the virus and thus spread it indirectly. For this reason, dogs in particular should be kept on a lead in risk areas and the animals should not have any contact with susceptible animals after returning home. This also means that animals must not be walked in fields and meadows where susceptible animals are kept.

When pets return from a restricted zone, they must generally be kept away from farms and neighbouring zones.