Top 8 Tips for Taking Care of Your Pet during COVID-19

When the world found out that it has a pandemic on its hands, people freaked out. The reason why this happened was that it was a novel disease, and that led to unknown circumstances.

With misinformation and false news being rampant, no one knew what to do and what not to. People were trying to eat bleach, burning down cell towers, and do anything they saw online.

Now imagine if that’s how we feel, our pets must feel much worse. As beings who can’t speak or make you understand what's going on in their head, pets are bound to get frustrated and act differently. No one can blame them for it either; we've had difficulty adjusting to lockdown protocols ourselves.

At this time of need, pets depend on us more than ever, and it is on us to educate ourselves to take care of them to the best of our abilities. Here are a few ways to make sure your pet doesn’t feel down during this lockdown.

Have extra food and medicine supply:

It is recommended that you have extra pet food at hand; however, you should have at least a 3-4 week supply under these uncertain circumstances. This will limit your exposure to the outside world and make it safer for you and your pet.

 It is also a good idea as some cats have special needs, and you might not be able to get specific food at short notice. For example, cat food for older cats with teeth problems is readily available but has been scarce in the market in a few states. Wouldn’t want your old little tabby staying hungry now, would you?

Apart from food, it is essential that you also have your pet's medication on hand. If your pet has any food allergy or stomach problems that occur regularly, you need to make sure you have the required medicine at home. If you can’t seem to figure out what’s troubling your pet, get an appointment from your vet, and remember to follow the SOPS.

Do not let them indulge in overeating:

Many of us indulge in over-eating when we’re stressed, and these are stressful times. We have to make sure that we keep our pets in check just as we do for ourselves.

Being at home doesn’t mean you can give your pets all the snacks they want. Try to maintain discipline and follow a proper food routine.

Monitor their food and try to make them eat healthier while you’re around; pets need their required nutrition just as we do. Obesity in pets causes a lot of problems just as it does to us.

Train them to stick to a routine:

With an indefinite lockdown, everyone is letting loose and enjoying themselves in different parts of the world. However, while this did seem fun in the beginning, it gets tedious down the lane. So, rather than letting your pet go about as it pleases, make a routine for them to follow.

This doesn’t mean that you have to plan their day by the minute; you need to make sure they eat at a specific time, exercise daily, and go to sleep at a decent hour.

Play with them:

Another thing you need to keep in mind is that animals get bored too. In order to make sure they stay healthy, they need to have a good time.

So, take out some time to play with them. Whether it's a game of hiding and seek, fetch, or a toy, your pet needs to have fun. They need to be engaged mentally and physically to stay healthy.

Regular walks/ or physical courses:

Whenever you get a chance, take your pet out for a walk. If you have a back/front yard, then that isn't a problem, but if you don't, you can still go out if you maintain your distance.

Know that exercise is just as important for animals as it is for us. Regular walks or even one go at a physical course can cheer your little buddy up.

Keep them away from crowds:

Just as it is advised that you should stay away from crowded places, so should your pets. The fact that we still don’t know much about the pandemic and its effects on animals results in a great responsibility for pet owners.

The CDC recommends keeping your dog on a leash to prevent it from running into crowds and making sure it stays away from other dogs. While it might seem hard, know that it is for their good.

Have emergency contacts:

Always have arrangements in case of an emergency. While recent studies show that animals rarely get COVID-19, it’s better not to take the risk. So, if you or someone in your family has COVID, it’s recommended that you separate your pets.

Just as your kids have godparents, ensure that your pet has too. They rely on you to take care of them, so you should make sure they have a safe place to stay.

In case you don’t have anyone who can step up for your pets, the CDC recommends that you take the same precautions you would if it was another human being.

Masks aren’t for animals:

While some people don’t take enough care of their pets, others tend to go overboard. In order to make sure that your pet doesn’t catch the disease or become a vector, you need to make sure you limit its exposure to other people.

While many might suggest making your pet wear a mask, it can prove harmful if you do so. The CDC mentioned on its websites that masks aren’t for animals. Since they’re the ones who know the most about the pandemic, I think we should listen to them. 

Final thoughts:

At such times, you need to step up and show that you can take care of those depending on you. In doing so, not only will your pets feel comfortable, but you’ll also have a great way to use your time productively, and that will help maintain your mental health and keep your pets safe.