The 2020 coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic clearly isn’t going away any time soon. And let’s be honest. It sucks. It’s been hard on all of us, our friends, families, and communities. But what about our furry friends? It’s time to consider how coronavirus lockdowns, quarantine, and social distancing might be affecting them too. They’re always there for us – so what can we do to ensure our dogs and cats stay safe, healthy, and happy during these challenging times? Our 8 tips for caring for your dog or cat through the lockdown are a good place to start. They might even help you!
1. Keep calm and carry on
For some, the coronavirus lockdown may be a time of stress, fear, anxiety, and worry. If you’re feeling all that, chances are, your pets will feel it too. So our #1 tip is to try to stay calm and positive during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Even in lockdown, look on the bright side: You now likely have more time to spend with your pet!
And just maybe, the coronavirus situation can show us what’s important in life – spending time with loved ones, staying safe, and enjoying the moments we do have together. So keep calm and carry on. If you’re positive and relaxed, your furry friend will feel that too. And that can do wonders for their well-being.
To help calm your mind, get outdoors daily, exercise regularly, and consider a new active hobby such as yoga or meditation.
2. Aim for extra quality time, cuddles and belly rubs
As we mentioned, one benefit of the lockdown is that you’ll likely have more time to spend with your dog or cat. However, they might also be confused due to sensing more anxiety in their humans, changing schedules and routines, and less social contact in general. So take extra good care of them and spend quality time with your dog or cat daily.
Just taking a few extra minutes to cuddle and reassure your pet – while having your morning coffee, or before you go to bed – can have a big impact on your furry friend’s well-being and safety. Spending quality time together will also improve your well-being and reduce fear in dogs. Don’t be afraid to try new things while spending time together, such as a session of doga (a.k.a. dog yoga)!
3. Make time for more physical activity
If you’re stuck at home – as many of us are during quarantine or coronavirus lockdowns – you might notice you’re getting less exercise daily. And that can have a negative impact on your physical health. For your furry friend, it’s no different. Have a cat? Consider increasing their roaming space or time. As for dogs, they need their daily walks now more than ever. Find out how often you need to walk your dog here.
Whether indoors, on a leash or roaming free, we recommend investing in a GPS dog or cat tracker for increased security and peace of mind during the lockdown. Not only will it show you your pet’s location at anytime, it will also monitor their physical activity. This way, both you and your furry friend will be sure to stay in shape during the coronavirus lockdown.
4. Maintain good health and regular grooming
Another crucial topic during the pandemic is staying healthy – free of sickness and in good physical shape. While you are taking all the steps necessary to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, consider your dog or cat as well.
Since the latest research has confirmed that pets can also get coronavirus, you may want to take extra precautions to keep your dog or cat healthy. For example:
- Make sure they’re getting enough rest – Tractive’s Activity Monitoring feature can help you keep track.
- Feed them a balanced diet and consider (after consulting your vet, of course!) immunity-boosting supplements.
- Clean them when they may have come in contact with a sick person or animal.
Don’t skip out on your dog or cat’s important health care routines. You can do the following to ensure your dog or cat stays in good health:
- Perform regular health checks on your furry friend at home.
- Trim dog and cat nails regularly.
- Clean your pet after going outside.
- Care for dog paws.
- Keep an eye on your pet’s BMI.
- Remember to visit the vet for a regular check-up.
5. Keep your pet stimulated
Like you, your dog or cat may suffer from boredom if the coronavirus lockdown has affected their usual social life and activity. So it’s more important now than ever to keep your dog or cat mentally stimulated. Try puzzle games or feeders, offer different types of toys, explore new territory on your walks, and find out what will keep your pet busy and satisfied. It might be an electronic mouse for your cat, or a new chew toy for your dog.
