Kara's Critter Care, LLC

Covid 19 and Pets

By: Allison Kane

3/29/2020

The Coronavirus has turned our lives upside down.

What started out as a typical year brought with us resolutions to stay healthy and active.

Normal goals like going to the gym or starting a diet was high on the list.

However, all of that has changed in the midst of a global pandemic that has everyone looking to create a “new normal.”

There most likely is no set timeline of when it will be over.

Not everything will go back exactly to the way it was before.

Across the country, state regulations have changed people’s routines with traveling, going to the gym, going out, and going to the office for work.

Other guidelines include social distancing up to six feet and staying home.

We can think about what is more important and take advantage of what resources we still have to work with.

But what about your pet?

According to the CDC it is rare for pets to transmit the disease or even get infected themselves, however, there has been a small number of cats and dogs worldwide to become infected after having close contact to people with Covid-19. The first cats to become infected in the US were from New York state.

So what can you do just to be safe?

The CDC recommends the following:

-Wash your hands before and after handling animals, their food, waste, or any other supplies

-Practice good pet hygiene and clean up after pets properly.

-Take pets to the veterinarian regularly and talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s health.

-Treat pets the same as you would people with social distancing, making sure to not allow interaction with pets and people outside of the household.

-Keep cats indoors to prevent said interaction.

-Stay away from dog parks.

- Isolate anyone in the household that becomes sick from not only the people, but also the pets.

-Please keep in mind that information will be updated as it becomes available.

There are many theories as to how the virus started, but the source is yet to be determined.

It is recommended if you do get infected to avoid contact with animals as you would with people.

Being confined to the house may not be exciting to you, but it can be the most exciting thing to ever happen to our animal companions. Even though many businesses are closed temporarily and we are ordered to stay home, it doesn’t mean we can’t go outside!

We can still be active and enjoy the outdoors while walking our dogs around the neighborhood or at a nearby park!

As social creatures, being isolated at home can lead to feelings of loneliness and uncertainty in times like this.

Animals are a great stress relief.

They are proven to help lower blood pressure and can add years to your life.