As we gradually advance towards the new normal, a lot of places across the world are still facing strict restrictions on outdoor movement. While human beings are dealing with restricted movements, pets too are forced to follow suit. While we keep ourselves engaged in physical exercise, our pets too need to remain fit and kicking. It is tougher for them because they do not have the slightest hint of why all of a sudden the restrictions were placed or why have they been eased out now.
This brings us to the question – how should pet parents take care of their pets during Covid19 lockdown? Here are a few simple but effective tips:
Physical activity
Remaining physically active during the lockdown is critical for you as well as your furry friend. Play ball, cat-and-mouse chase, obstacle race, clearing hurdles, running around the garden (if you have one) or inside your home, taking care not to break anything.
Mental activities
Remember, your pets are never too old to learn a new trick or two. If your pet is already trained, even then, you can teach them to fetch you an object, pick up stuff from the ground, bring you your blanket, and so on. Why rely on a pet trainer if you can make your dog learn easy tricks and also enjoy yourself in the process.
Manage the food intake
Since there is less movement, there should be a proportionate reduction in your calorie intake. If you can’t go entirely fat-free, at least avoid fried food. Too much protein is also bad for your pet. It will make your pet hyperactive, unnecessarily temperament and hugely fussy. In food choices, strike the right balance.
Plan your day right
Due to the lockdown, most people are working from home. For your pet, this is a treat. They see you at home constantly and are in a playful mood throughout the day. This might interfere with your work hours. Hence, plan your day well to match your responsibilities – pet time, me-time, office-time, family-time etc. Eventually, your pets too will learn these time boundaries.
Stock up on the supplies
It is a good idea to revisit the supplies for yourself and your pets during this lockdown period. As and when the authorities permit, make sure that you refill all your supplies, especially for medicines. But make sure that you don’t hoard stuff. Remember, Codiv19 is not the end of the world and sooner or later the lockdown will be lifted. You don’t want to be left with excess supplies or expired material on that day.
Vet call and vaccination
You cannot ignore vet consultations and vaccinations during the lockdown. Digital ease has come as a by-product of this Pandemic and you can always get in touch with your pet over a video call. Keep a track of your pet’s vaccinations and deworming so the next time you go out for groceries, you can also make a trip to the vet’s.
Groom your pet
Due to the lockdown, even pet grooming services have downed their shutters. This means that your pet may have to go without their cleaning and grooming sessions for days. Use this opportunity to groom them yourself. This will also strengthen your bond with them. Also, if you are happy to click that intimate moment, mail it to pawstro.com and they will be happy to convert the snap into full-size oil painting for your bedroom. The paintings will always remind you of the good times once things move back to normal.
Prioritize health and hygiene
Whenever you take your dog out for a walk, make sure you wash their paws properly with soap and lots of water. Do not use alcohol wipes on your dog as they tend to lick their paws and this can lead to alcohol poisoning. Dry them thoroughly after washing and keep their beds clean too! Take every care you are taking for yourself, sans the alcohol wipes.
Brush-up your knowledge
Use the lockdown to brush up your knowledge about managing emergencies. This knowledge must also include caring for your pet. This may also be the right time to browse through the material in your first-aid box and check the stock and expiry status.
There is very little information and evidence available to conclusively prove that pets are/ are not vulnerable to Covid19. While human to human transfer is proved, human to pet and pet to pet transfer is yet to be ascertained. However, that does not mean that you expose your pet to the deadly virus. Instead, protect your pets the same way that you would take care of yourself. This will not only strengthen your bond with them, but you will cherish this good time spent with your pets for a long time to come.
Our pets are always with us, come rain or sunshine, it is our responsibility to be there for them and ensuring that they do not feel trapped at any given point of time. In challenging times like these, there might be pet parents who would be struggling to make ends meet. You can always reach out to them and offer to adopt their pet or even help with a few supplies. A little help goes a long way!
