During this time, we pay attention to stricter sanitary measures. As we come home, we took off our clothes and shoes and wash our hands. If a dog comes with us, we shouldn’t forget about it as well. It may happen the dog brings the virus to our home. How to take care car of your dog properly during the pandemic?
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses which are common in animals. Under certain circumstances, also people can get infected by them as it happened with SARS or MERS. With regard to COVID-19 infection, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) do not consider pets to be carriers. The scientists have noticed an extremely low number of cases when a pet got infected from a person.
Even though the experience so far suggests that we won’t get infected from a dog as well as the dog won’t get infected from us, we need to be careful. Dogs and other animals might get infected indirectly. Coronavirus stays alive on various surfaces for a couple of hours or even days. With regard to animal hair, this time is rather shorter because the virus doesn’t like higher temperature and the related fast drying of the contaminated hair.
This is also the reason why we shouldn’t touch unfamiliar animals – may it be petting a dog or a horse. We don’t know if their hair could get into contact with the virus from the environment or if an infected person didn’t touch them. “After contact with an animal, recommended sanitary measures need to be followed – not touching your face and food and thoroughly washing your hands with soap” says Veronika Lesiuková, a vet.
Virus may also stick to the paws, so it can easily transfer to you when cuddling. As such infection is a certain risk, you have to take care about your pet when you get home, as you obviously can’t take its shoes or hair off. Especially, if our four-legged companion was around more people or animals for longer time outside. In such case, we should bath and dry the dog immediately. Rinse its paws and wipe it with special cleaning wipes for paws. We should never use human cosmetic wet wipes for that.
To prevent the risk of contamination on a walk, pick the least crowded area possible. “Go for walks at the time when there are not many people outside. In the perfect case, go to places where you know will be very little people. If you can see somebody in front of you, be tolerant, pass them in a safe distance with a mask over your mouth and nose. Don’t get together with other people with dogs, pets will be able to meet each other as soon as the situation settles,” says Lesiuková.
If you have a cat that likes to wander around, limit its movement and try to entertain the pet at home. If it spends most time outside, designate a space for the cat at home where you will feed it and where it can hide when the weather is bad. A bathroom or a shed is perfect for it. In the perfect case, disinfect yourself before entering and after leaving the room. A cat should always have access to some dry, warm place and food or water. If the pets were used to being in contact with you, don’t take it from them, just follow stricter sanitary measures.
In the case you yourself are in quarantine, we treat a dog, a cat or any other pet as any other family member. We limit close contact with it, we give up on cuddling and kissing for some time and don’t get into contact with it at all, if possible. If it’s not possible, wash your hands before the contact and have a mask for the whole time. In the case other people could get into contact with the pet, transmitting by hair can be effectively eliminated by washing the pet in soap water. Healthy people should also touch the pet only in gloves.
Leisuková also recommends: “If your pet is sick, contact your vet using your phone first and consult its condition. If (s)he recommends you bring the pet for a check-up, fix some time. If you have any symptoms of the disease, let someone else take the pet.”
With the coronavirus all around, some of us might easily forget about a much bigger threat for our pets which is diseases transmitted by ticks. Therefore, don’t forget to protect your pets against those as well. How do you handle the lockdown with your pets? Have you noticed my tips how to entertain your dog while being at home during the lockdown?
Have you ever watched your cat and asked yourself what it might be thinking? It sometimes seems that these furry friends enjoy situations in which you don’t know if they love your or want to claw your eyes out. They only sit and watch you from a...
These special dogs were bred and raised specifically for hunting of puffins and guillemots (water birds). For this reason, they have several very specific and for their purpose very practical physical deviations. For example, they have extremely...
They say there aren’t many activities as relaxing as fishing. And it’s no longer true that fishing is only for men. When my friend told me she takes her dog for fishing, I was really surprised. And I immediately had to question her about how it...
If you like small dogs, it will be easy for you to fall in love with pomeranians. Not only they look like teddy bears with a nice face and look, they will also impress you with their nature. They belong to sociable dog breeds rightfully. Besides their...
Living with dogs is such a natural thing for us dog lovers that we sometimes treat them more like people. We love them, we nurture them but we may sometimes care a bit too much and unintentionally harm our furry friends. Such cases include wrong fur...
Miniature pinscher is also called min pin or German pinscher. There is a great personality with a big heart inside its little body. It is a big warrior,sports dog and a tourist. Perfect sports for this breed are for example dog dancing or agility where...
Some animals are simply talented for water sports. Already as a puppy, Ricochet grabbed people’s attention for her confidence she jumped into sea waves with. Later on, she became a dog hero helping disabled and a role model for many enthusiasts who...
While in the wildlife, their diet depends on natural instincts, rodents kept by humans and other small animals require a regular and balanced diet. What should rodent’s diet include and what should it avoid? What food is dangerous/safe for it? And what...
If you wish to do sports with your dog, you should at first think about if it’s right for you pet, no matter if you want to do it for leisure or top-level. And not only from the point of view of your pet’s nature but also of its physical predispositions.
Have you ever discussed whether a cat or a dog is more intelligent with your friends? Reportedly, scientists already know the answer. In this article, I mention a few facts and observations from a recently published research paper on this topic.
Cats can handle a new human in your family very badly. They are more sensitive to the changes than dogs. Are you interested in what you can do to enjoy this time and not to deal with the problems with your cat?
Are you considering getting a rodent as your new pet but you are afraid it won’t be doing good with your dog under one roof? Don’t be afraid, dogs and rodents can do great together. It is important to teach your dog from an early age that other animals...
