What are your thoughts about everything that is happening with our pets during this Covid-19 Pandemic?
Well, that is a quite a thought inducing and loaded question. After evaluating and researching how dogs in particular are affected, the following is what I came up with.
The Good and the Bad for Pets during the Covid-19 and the shelter in place Era.
We have all been affected by Covid-19 in one-way or another. Let me focus on the question and I will speak specifically about dogs and their people.
The Good:
Many shelters across the nation have been empty for the first time in years.
The Bad:
When the pandemic has diminished and when some things return to their normal state, people may find it is difficult to care for their pet as they did when they were SIP. It is anticipated that people may return dogs back to shelters and rescues.
The Solution:
Do your part to help this process by fostering, volunteering, and if you have been looking for a great dog to adopt, this may be the time. If you are thinking about returning a dog you acquired during the SIP, please think about keeping them. They will still love you even if you are gone 40 hours a week. They will also be able to nap better in your absence. : )
The Good:
There are still many studies ongoing, but according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the most current available information states you probably cannot get this Covid-19 virus from your dog or your dogs fur. Although the virus can survive and be transferred from smooth surfaces and items, dogs fur is porous and not a good transfer medium. The World Health Organization states, “There is no evidence that a dog or a cat can transmit Covid-19 to a person.”
The Bad:
There has been one dog in Hong Kong and now the first dog in the US to be diagnosed with Covid-19. This new dog is a pug by the name of Winston that lives in North Carolina. Winston lives and shares close quarters with his people that are both Physicians. There have also been several cats that have been positively diagnosed with Covid-19.
According to an article from the American Kennel Club, these animals were living with Covid-19 positive people. Many test have been done on animals that are cohabitating with Covid-19 positive people and the numbers of animals that have tested positive is very, very low. See above for ‘the good.’
The Solution:
If your dog or cat demonstrates any type of illness especially a respiratory type illness contact your Vet right away. Especially if anyone in the household has been ill. Also, treat the situation with the same precautions you would with a person that was coughing or sneezing. Keep your distance. Wash your hands frequently. Disinfect surfaces frequently. Please do not jump to conclusions and give your pet away in fear of contracting the virus from them.
The Good:
Dogs and pets have been getting plenty of exercise over the past several weeks. I hope that the benefits of exercising with your pets prolong after the SIP. Some of these benefits are a feeling of wellness, being able to socialize by waving at your friends and neighbors from a distance, a healthy heart, a decrease in blood pressure, weight loss, and the best of all is a tired well mannered dog.
The Bad:
If exercise is omitted when you go back to work, your dog could suffer new onset obesity, behavior problems, and or separation anxiety.
The Solution:
Why quit? Try and find time in your day before or after work to continue to exercise your dog. Separation anxiety will probably be short lived if it wasn’t a problem before the SIP. Keeping up with the exercise regimen will help with separation anxiety as well as simple games, tasks, and activities for your dog to do in your absence. The activities, exercise, socialization, and stimulation of Doggie Daycares has been proven to be effective for separation anxiety. Maybe it’s a good time to get another doggo companion? : )
The Bad:
People are relinquishing their pets due to the economic stress brought upon us due to the closure of businesses.
The Good and The Solution:
Please keep your pets. They need you and you need them. They won’t notice if you need to cut back on milk bones, etc. Your companionship is more important to them. There are resources available to help you feed your pets. Facebook animal sites or pages in general, Animal Control, and The ASPCA should all be able to provide you with links and resources or assistance to get food to your dog and your pets. This is a compassionate and generous community and people want to help. Don’t be afraid to reach out.
The above are just a few of the things I was able to determine that are new onsets of changes brought on by this pandemic. But take note, for every problem there is a solution.
If you have a question about training or behavior, please email me at HappyLabLady77@Yahoo.com
Make it a Pawsitive Day!
Val S Elliott CPDT Behavior Coach
Wags of Wisdom:
Sheltering in Place is better when you do it with a dog.
The Daily Dog:
If you would like to send a cute photo with a description or short story about your favorite furry friend, please send it to HappyLabLady77@yahoo.com
