COVID-19 and Dogs

Coronavirus advise for pet owners to keep yourself and your pets safe

connection-4884862_640-300x204 COVID-19 and DogsThey’re your furry best friends and you couldn’t imagine your home without them, but could your beloved cat or dog give you coronavirus?

At present, there is no evidence showing that our companion animals or pets can be infected with the covid-19. Neither that they can spread the virus to their owners. Therefore, there’s no need to panic and resort to extreme measures such as abandoning your pet or isolating them.

However, although there is no evidence of a case of human-to-animal transmission of the coronavirus, there are a number of common bacteria that can pass between pets and humans including E.coli and Salmonella. Thus, it is always a good idea to practice good hygiene and take care of your pet’s health

Keep vaccinations up to date

It should go without saying that the best way to keep yourself and your pet healthy is to keep vaccinations up to date. Puppies, in particular, are very vulnerable to a number of diseases from bacteria and viruses if they are not immunized to them, especially to parvovirus and distemper.

Talk to your pet’s veterinarian about all the necessary vaccinations to keep your pet safe and healthy. Apart from vaccinations, it is also essential to use preventive medications against flea, tick and intestinal parasites.

Wash your hands after playing with your pet

Although it sounds like a no-brainer, it is always worth mentioning because handwashing is vital in preventing diseases from spreading. As mentioned above, there are some common bacteria that can pass between pets and humans. And, washing your hands is the most efficient way to prevent that from happening.

Washing your hands after petting your pets isn’t enough. You should also do that after handling pet food or treats because there they contain certain bacteria that can make you sick. Also, if you own a cat, it is essential to wash and sanitize your hands after changing your cat’s litter because feces can contain germs that can make you sick.

Practice good hygiene

Good hygiene doesn’t only refer to the washing or sanitizing your hands every time after petting your pet. It also means that you should clean your dog and cat regularly to help them stay healthy and avoid diseases.

How often should you bathe your dog? Healthy dogs who spend most of their time inside only need to be bathed a few times a year. Especially since bathing your dog too often can be dangerous as it can irritate the skin, damage hair follicles and increase the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. As for cats, they usually don’t need baths unless there are some exceptional circumstances.

However, no matter if you are a cat or a dog owner, you should clean your pet’s paws every time they come inside the home after a walk.

Don’t let them come into contact with other pets

If you have a very sociable pet, it can be really difficult to keep them away from other pets. However, if you want to keep them safe and healthy, keep them indoors as much as possible to minimize exposure to bacteria/viruses/infections. And, most importantly, don’t allow them to visit or play with sick pets or wild or stray animals.  It’s not uncommon for people to think their dog has to be walked every day, but let me let you in on a little secret. You don’t need to walk the dog every day.  

You can’t do anything! Dogs still need to be exercised, but not always physically. Here’s the thing most people miss out on with their dog’s and that’s the mental exercise. You can tire your dog in 10-15 minutes, the same way you can tire them physically for over an hour.

Enrichment doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated, so let your imagination run wild. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Always supervise your pet when letting dogs play with homemade or even commercial toys. Immediately take the toy away if they start to chew/swallow any pieces or break the toy apart. Finchley dog walker is not responsible for any harm that may come to your dog