Tips to keep pets safe and happy during COVID-19 pandemic

Whilst your pets may be thrilled that you are spending extra time at home at the moment, this change can cause a disruption in our daily routine, which can have an impact on our pets. We have come up with some tips to help minimise any upset caused by this disruption and keep our pets safe and happy during this pandemic.

Always practice good hygiene – by washing your hands after interacting with your pets. Avoid being kissed, licked or sharing food with your pet.

Continue your regular walking routine - where safe to do so. You can still enjoy taking your dog for a walk, but keep at least 1.5 metres away from other people.

Indoor exercises – there are plenty of indoor exercises that you can do with your dog that will offer both mental and physical stimulation such as fetch, hide and seek, teaching new tricks and more. Check out some fun ideas here.

Be mindful of overfeeding – if you are spending more time at home with your pets, its easy to sneak in a few extra treats. However, it is important not to overfeed your pet. Rather, offer playtime or go for a walk together instead.

Continue with regular medications – any behaviour or ongoing medications should continue to be given to your pet.

Offer your pet some alone time – everyone needs a break sometimes and this includes pets. If you are home with your family and kids, remember to give your pets a break if they need it. A good rule to follow is that if your pet is on their bed or having a rest, leave them alone. If you have a cat, make sure they have plenty of vertical spaces to escape from other pets and family members if they want to.  

Routine feeding - try to feed your pet at the same time you normally would, even if you are home all day.

If you are working from home – if you are finding your pet distracting, consider restricting them from the room you are working in. You could also offer them a puzzle toy that rewards them with treats as a distraction. Also remember to take regular breaks, your pet can help you with that one!

Offer toys to reduce boredom – consider placing more toys out for your pets and rotate them to reduce boredom.

We are here to help. If you have any questions or concerns about your pets health call us on 03 8784 4444. For our latest update about COVID-19 and your pets click here.