The coronavirus outbreak has been on the rise in many countries and due to the pandemic, many of us are experiencing changes in our lifestyle. At this time, the Government has called on all citizens to stay home and avoid all unnecessary social contact. In some places, they have implemented a preventive quarantine that forces people to be isolated at home for at least 14 days.
Quarantine means no one goes out — and that includes your four-legged friend. That new reality can particularly affect pet parents. So here are some tips on how to make this time a little bit easier for you and your pet.
BE PREPARED!
Forget about toilet paper! Pet food, pee pads or cat litter, cleaning supplies, as well as any special diet or prescription medication your pet may need, should be at the top of your list for things to stock up on. But please be conscious and do not hoard!
POTTY TIME
One of the biggest issues pet parents living in urban areas have to face is the inability to take their dogs out to do their business. What can you do if your dog is used to go out when it is also forced to stay locked up?
There are a few options for creating an indoor potty area for your doggy. The most common and eco-friendly way is just using several sheets of newspaper laid out on the floor. You can also use absorbent pee pads or a little grass box for small dogs.
When teaching indoor potty training, you need to be very consistent and clear with your dog to prevent confusion about what area is the “designated bathroom”.
In some cases, the “emergency situation” allows one person per household to go shopping for food and basic necessities. Although it will depend on the protocol of each community, in some places, this situation also includes taking the dogs for a walk. However, there are several official recommendations:
Only one person can take pets for a walk (except for those who present symptoms, or have a high risk of having caught the virus)
The walk should be short: only the time necessary for the pets to relieve themselves.
Practice Social Distance! It is not recommended to approach other animals or people, even if you don’t have symptoms.
You should always clean after your dog.
It is recommended to prioritize schedules with less traffic.
Wash your dog’s paws and snout after every walk.
Be Patient! Don’t get mad if your dog has an “accident” at home. Please remember your pet has to adapt to the new situation without anything making him nervous.
KEEP THEM BUSY
Dogs really struggle when they’re bored, especially if they tend to be high-energy. They can become more anxious and destructive, exhibiting behavior like increased barking or difficulty settling.
The best thing that pet owners can do during a quarantine is to reinforce that feeling of spending time together. Use this time to connect with your pet and create new routines! Teaching your dog new tricks or simply playing inside could be a great way to keep them enriched.
Although you might not be able to keep your dog as physically active while under quarantine, you can still keep your dog mentally exercised. Food puzzles are a great way to keep your dog stimulated. Make sure that you also have plenty of toys to keep your dog entertained.
CAN DOGS OR CATS GET THE COVID-19?
According to experts "with the currently available scientific data, there is no evidence that pets can develop the disease, or even that they can become infected with the virus." Though further studies may bring new findings.
They also noted that "dogs and cats can suffer from diseases caused by other types of coronaviruses, and these do not affect humans."
DO NOT PUT MASKS ON!
Veterinarians all over the world have pointed out that it is "totally contraindicated to put a mask on the animal." The only thing you should do is to keep a safe distance with your pet and always wear a mask if you have the COVID-19.
KITTY CATS:
In the case of cats, things seem to be simpler. It will be much easier for them to go through a quarantine without leaving the house since they are independent and spend most or all of the time indoors and are accustomed. But if they usually go out to gardens to climb trees, it is advisable to buy them scrapers, cat trees to climb and other similar objects so they will not be stressed.
