Many of us have adapted to new routines in recent years. Like us, many of our dogs are likely to find this change difficult. And a busy home and less exercise can cause our puppies to show more problematic behavior than usual, especially dogs that are a little overstimulated.
The good news, however, is that as we adapt to life in lockdown, we can do things to make our dogs feel more comfortable. The 2020 coronavirus pandemic (or COVID-19) is clearly not going away anytime soon. And let’s be honest. It stinks. It was difficult for all of us, our friends, families, and communities. But what about our furry friends?
It’s time to consider how coronavirus lockdowns, quarantine, and social distancing can also affect them. They are always there for us, so what can we do to ensure that our dogs and cats stay safe, healthy, stress-free, and happy during these difficult times? Here are 10 tips for taking care of your pet during the lockdown, a good start.
Caring for pets during the coronavirus lockdown
1. Stay calm and move on
You must stay calm and be positive during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Look on the bright side even in confinement: you probably have more time to spend with your pet now! And maybe the coronavirus situation can show us what life is all about:
Spending time with your loved ones positively, staying safe, and enjoying the moments we spent together. So stay calm and move on. Always get rid of the negativity from any situation. If you are positive and relaxed, your furry friend will feel it too. To calm your mind, new activities should be adopted such as going outdoors every day, therapy, exercising regularly, and creating a new active relaxation hobby such as yoga or meditation.
2. Give your pet extra quality time
As mentioned earlier, one of the benefits of lockdown is that you can probably spend more time with your dog or cat to prevent and control worries, distress, and anxieties. However, they may also be confused because they feel more anxiety and emotions in their people, change schedules and routines, and generally have less social contact. So take good care of them and spend a lot of time with your dog or cat every day and support them.
3. Make time for more physical activity
If you are stuck at home, like many of us during quarantine or coronavirus lockdowns, you may find that you exercise less every day. And it may have a negative effect and risk on your physical and mental health. It’s no different for your furry friend. Do you have a cat? Consider the traveling room or stray dogs now more than ever in need of their daily walks.
4. Maintaining regular health and care
Another important issue during the pandemic is staying healthy, disease-free, and physically fit. As you take all necessary measures to protect and to give attention to yourself and others from the coronavirus effects, you should also consider your dog or cat. Because the latest study has confirmed that pets can also become infected with coronavirus, you should take extra precautions to keep your dog or cat healthy. For example:
- Make sure they get enough rest: Tractive’s activity monitoring feature can help you stay on top of things.
- Feed them in a balanced way and think (after consulting your vet, of course!) Supplements that stimulate immunity
- Clean them if they have been in contact with a sick person or animal.
5. Keep your pet stimulated
Like you, your dog or cat can suffer boredom if the coronavirus lockdown has affected their social life and habitual activity. That’s why it’s more important than ever to mentally stimulate your dog or cat. Do more interactions with them. Try puzzle games or feeders, offer different types of toys, explore new territories on your walks and find out what keeps your pet busy and satisfied. It can be an electronic mouse for your cat or a new chew toy for your dog.
6. Give them a safe space
First, all dogs should have a safe place in the house to enjoy themselves when they need some quiet time. It could be an extra bedroom, a bathroom or a laundry room (as long as it’s not too hot or cold), or just a bed in the corner or under a desk. A box is also an excellent choice for many dogs and can become their favorite place with careful introduction. Every dog parent should prepare a bed, some favorite toys, and maybe a long-lasting snack or a stuffed snack here.
7. Mentally Stimulate Your Pet
Providing your dog with a mental situation and meditation is very important right now, as it gives him something to do and enriches his life and relationship. It can also help alleviate boredom and unwanted behaviors like chewing: thinking puzzles and food toys. Just sprinkle some of your dog’s kibble or some small treats on the floor and let your dog absorb them, it will encourage him to use his nose and make dinner more interesting.
8. Take advantage of this time to train
If your dog is used to a lot of physical activity, it is advisable to keep it and manage on its paws/use this time to train it. From flipping and turning to getting up on the hind legs, there are a variety of tricks and regulations you can use to get your dog to pick it up.
9. Play interactive games
Another way to keep your dog entertained is an interactive game. Examples of these games include the game “What a hand” or the set of three cups, where you hide homemade dog treats or snacks in a hand or cup, move them, and make your dog guess which hand or cup his treat is hiding in.
10. Take Fewer Short Walks
While you may limit regular walks, some short walks in an enclosed backyard or building facility can be integrated into the routine. However, be sure to clean your dog’s paws well immediately afterward. Don’t forget to cuddle up! In these stressful times, there is nothing more comforting than snuggling up with your furry friend. Snuggling with your dog is known to have psychological benefits for you and for him.
Final Words
While the tips above were written for your furry friend, they are also wonderful tips for keeping your body and mind healthy during the coronavirus lockdown. So take a deep breath, enjoy a good time with your loved ones, get physical activity, remember to take care of your health and care, and stock up on everything you might need to overcome.
References:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/pets-and-mental-health
https://tractive.com/blog/en/health/coronavirus-lockdown-8-tips-on-caring-for-your-dog-or-cat
