CDC Issues New Guidelines For Pets And COVID-19

Life as we know it may never be the same again. We have had to adapt our lifestyles to include social distancing. This can be really difficult for us, as we are essentially social animals.

However, it is extremely important in order to reduce the transmission risk of COVID-19. It is equally important to apply this to our dogs, as COVID-19 has been found in dogs, making prevention important.

Some of the ways we can protect our canine companions are quite easily implemented, and examples of these are as follows:

  • When your dogs want to go out for a walk, make sure that they are always on a leash so you can always control their movement,
  • Keep them a respectable distance from other dogs, about two meters is ideal to lessen the risk of cross-infection,
  • While fresh air and exercise are extremely beneficial to your dog, please avoid crowded places like parks if possible,
  • Should you become sick yourself, it is critically important to ensure that your dogs are adequately cared-for so that you can avoid physical contact with them. Implement the same rules as far as possible. Keep your distance and wash your hands before and after touching their bedding and food bowl,
  • Wear your mask to prevent droplets from escaping and infecting them,
  • Should your dog become sick please contact the vet first and warn him before going in for a consultation. He might be able to offer an online consultation or even pay a house-visit. Follow the vet’s recommendations religiously and remember to wear your mask.

If we are careful and act conservatively, we should be able to protect ourselves and our dogs from the scourge of COVID-19.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay

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