Just like us, our four-legged friends also found themselves having to face the effects imposed by this quarantine , with the consequent changes that the situation has brought about.
Of course, this in no way means neglecting the care of our furry loved ones, which in addition to not be in any way a source of danger, they are indeed gods faithful allies to live with greater serenity all aspects of our daily life, especially in particular situations such as the one we are experiencing in this period.
Surely such an unusual situation brings with it many questions, doubts and perplexities about how to best deal with isolation together with our four-legged friends , and what is important to do for their well-being and for ours.
That is why, with this article, we have decided to answer the most frequent doubts and at the same time, to emphasize some often overlooked but very important aspects that an out of the ordinary period can entail.
DOGS AND CATS IN THE TIME OF THE CORONAVIRUS
Let’s start by shedding some light on some of the main issues that people who have pets at home are asking:
1. Can dogs and cats spread the virus?
NO. Dogs, cats and pets in general do not spread the coronavirus, which instead is due to the transmission between people.
However, it is always a good idea to adopt the normal hygiene measures recommended by doctors and veterinarians to avoid the spread of diseases, an aspect that is particularly necessary in times of health emergency such as the current one.
Among the actions that it is important to adopt, in the first place we find the good habit of washing your hands often and with great care, especially after being in contact with our furry friends. It is a good idea to avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes, avoid having hands or face licked and do not kiss our puppies .
2. Can I take the dog out?
YES. Always, however, in full compliance with the health rules dictated by the government.
If for our feline friends a litter box can meet daily needs and they do not need our presence to take a trip in the garden, the same cannot be said for dogs.
This is why the decree allows those who own a dog to take it out for the fulfillment of the essential daily needs to meet the well-being of the animal as long as the rules established by the decree are respected:
- The walk must take place in the immediate vicinity of your home,
- The exit must last only the time strictly necessary ,
- Always keep a minimum distance of at least one meter if you meet other people.
3. What precautions should be taken when returning from the walk with the dog?
To minimize the risk of contagion and protect our dog, ourselves and our family members, it is good practice, upon returning from the walk, to clean the paws of our animal.
This operation must be done in complete safety, taking great care NOT to use aggressive products based on bleach, alcohol, perfumes or other irritating agents, not even very diluted, for any reason.. The use of these substances, even minimally, would cause injuries and the suffering of our animal. Which we certainly don’t want to happen.
The only thing we can use is a soft cloth with water and a little mild neutral soap. In the same way we could caress the coat of our pet with a soft cloth and only slightly moistened with a little water.
In this way we can avoid introducing any pathogens into the home that may have spread in common environments.
4. Will pet shops remain open and well stocked?
YES. Stores that sell food and other pet products are considered basic necessities, so they remain open.
To meet this also the production and distribution of these products remains unchanged, so there is (and will not be) any danger in the availability of pet food.
( Here is the page where to find all the points of sale that distribute Life foods).
5. If necessary, can I take the dog or cat to the vet?
Of course. Veterinary assistance is one of those services considered essential and therefore it is always active.
Before moving from home, however, it is necessary to contact your trusted veterinarian , to understand how he has organized himself to guarantee access to the clinic in full compliance with current regulations, in terms of protection and safety of public health.
As with any other exit that is mandatory, if there is the need to take the animal to the veterinarian, it will be necessary to have the self-certification behind it.
For further information and other questions , please refer to the appropriate section on the official website of the Ministry of Health .
THE CORRECT MANAGEMENT OF DOGS AND CATS IN THE QUARANTINE
Let’s remember that our furry friends are very sensitive to changes and especially the changes in their habits. For this reason, in such a particular moment as the one we are going through, it is important keep the routine of our animals as unchanged as possible, as far as the situation allows.
Like? For example, by keeping the meal at the same times ever. We are also careful not to give in to the excuse of the extraordinary period and not to give our animals those foods that we know they would like, but at the same time we are aware that they would be bad for them. (Here is a short list of which foods are dangerous for dogs and cats ).
Maintain, as far as possible and acceptable, the same number of exits that the animal used to do before the emergency and preferably at the same times. We also try not to be in too much of a hurry or transmit tension to him in those moments: we have to go less road with our furry dog, but let him fully enjoy the exit, leaving him time to smell and calmly do his needs. In short, not being able to privilege quantity, we try to make the exits necessary as moments of quality for the animal.
It goes without saying that if we have a terrace or a garden at our disposal, we leave the field free to our furry loved ones: it will be a nice outlet for them.
Another aspect to consider is strong empathy of our four-legged friends. As we know, animals are very sensitive beings, which is why they know how to capture the anxiety and fears of their family members and sometimes they find themselves, in spite of themselves, absorbing moments of stress and tension. So let’s try to always have a positive attitude , even in situations of greater difficulty, both because it is good for us first of all and because it will make them safer and more serene.
In this regard, it can be very useful to dedicate ourselves to playing games to entertain our dog or cat at home. He will certainly be grateful to us and it will be a very pleasant moment of distraction for us too.
Last factor to take into consideration: precisely because animals are very attached to their routine, in this period we avoid giving them false habits that will no longer be possible to respect when the quarantine is over.. From this point of view, it therefore makes sense to keep the number of outputs limited, as was the case before isolation.
THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING DOGS AND CATS AT HOME DURING THE QUARANTINE
Spending the quarantine next to our super four-legged friends is certainly of great benefit for the whole family: young and old.
In fact, our animals have the innate power to give serenity, joy and lightheartedness to those who are close to them and take care of them, and this triggers a strongly positive impact on our mood. At the same time it has been scientifically proven that contact with dogs and cats has positive effects in physical and mental terms on our organism, tangibly decreasing stress and anxiety levels. And if this is important in everyday life, it is certainly even more so if we are going through moments of difficulty or discomfort like the current one.
Taking care of our furry loved ones also trains us to relationships, to be communicative, to respect and love those close to us. The relationship with a pet has another important advantage: it requires us to live in the present moment, here and now , without getting caught up in anxiety and fear for the future.
Here’s how our friends dogs and cats can meet us in this very special moment: making us feel less alone and at the same time stronger and happier. We appreciate it and try to always take care of them.
