Amid a pandemic, we must do our best to keep ourselves and the people around us healthy. At the same time, it’s just as important that we don’t neglect the health of our furry (or scaly) friends. While our pets cannot contract or transmit COVID-19, they can unfortunately get coronavirus. This doesn’t necessarily mean that pets should now walk around with a mask. It could do more harm than good for your pet despite how cute that would be.

There is still much to learn about COVID-19 and how it affects animals. So, what are a few ways that we can protect our pets’ health? The CDC recommends upholding certain habits when being a pet owner to ensure you and your pet’s health.

Stock Up

A pet’s health is determined by the quality of food they consume (along with good exercise). Grocery stores went through phases of rapidly selling out of certain items, such as toilet paper. While I don’t encourage over-purchasing necessities, I recommend checking the pet food supply to ensure you have at least a few weeks’ worth.

Stocking up not only gives you the peace of mind that your pet has enough to eat, but also, you don’t have to deal with the hassle of going out and possibly contracting the virus yourself.

Prepare a kit with essential supplies for an emergency. This kit should include a month’s supply of your pet’s medication, food, and anything else it needs. This would be useful in the case of a sudden lockdown. It is also smart to ensure your pet’s vaccines are current, as you may have difficulty later in a lockdown situation.

Hygiene Begins with You

Please wash your hands thoroughly before handling your pets or their food/belongings. This is especially crucial if you are outside for any reason. While washing your hands is one of the basic tips for preventing catching the virus yourself, it is even more important if you are a pet owner. So, even though your dog is practically pouncing on you with excitement when you enter your home, control the urge to reciprocate that excitement by washing your hands and disposing of your outdoor clothes before interacting with your pets.

We don’t know if the virus can live on pet fur or how long it can survive. However, the level of contact and interaction with your pet depends on whether you have contracted the virus.

Assign a Backup Pet Parent

If you have tested positive for the virus, minimizing contact with your pet as much as possible is important. A recommended option is to avoid contact with your pets completely and have a trusted friend or family member take care of your pet until you recover. Identify someone you believe would be an efficient pet parent who can take care of your pet in an emergency. This could include a family member, a neighbor, or a nearby boarding facility.

If you are forced to have a secondary caregiver, list your pet’s necessities. Include all necessary information, such as habits and food preferences, as well as more serious medical information and the local vet’s details. Be sure to provide the substitute caregiver with your pet’s medical and vaccination records.

No one knows your pet’s character and needs better than you, which is exactly why jotting down important information would be beneficial. To sum up, your pets are a part of your family, so it’s important to keep their best interests healthy and happy and prepare them for unwanted situations.

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