What Pet Owners Should Do About COVID-19

The United States has spent the last year battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Though scientists and medical professionals have made tremendous strides to slow the spread of this virulent disease, it’s still a serious concern for every community. As we near the one-year mark for the first case of COVID-19 in this country, it’s essential to understand the necessary precautions for coronavirus and pets in Phoenix, AZ.

Keeping your pets safe during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pet owners should feel relieved knowing that the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other highly reputable medical establishments have found limited evidence linking pets and COVID-19 in Phoenix, AZ. That means there’s an extremely low probability that our furry friends play a noted role in spreading the disease. In other words, your pets won’t get you sick. It also means your beloved animal companions won’t pass the infection to you and thus won’t further spread the disease to other humans or pets.

However, it’s possible that you can give COVID-19 to your pets. If you have contracted the coronavirus, you may be able to infect your dog, cat or other pets. Studies show a higher rate of infection when pets come in close contact with people who have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. You need to take the following steps to minimize the possibility of getting your four-legged companions sick during the pandemic:

• Wash your hands: It doesn’t matter if you were out running errands, at work or just took a drive to get out of the house for a little bit—don’t touch your pets until you’ve thoroughly washed your hands upon your return. You should fully scrub the entirety of your hands (fingers, wrists, palms and crevices) with soap for at least 20 seconds and then rinse. After that, it’s safe to pet or snuggle your dog, cat or other pet.
• Limit exposure: We’re currently seeing over 200,000 new COVID-19 cases every day. If you test positive for the coronavirus or you believe you’ve been exposed to it, find a place where your pet can stay until you’ve recovered. Now is the time to make pet emergency plans with family members, neighbors and friends for what to do if any of the humans in your home contract COVID-19.
• Stock up: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect every facet of life. Since companies must operate at a lower production rate, many products we depend on are in limited supply at this time. Make sure to always have a full month’s worth of pet supplies on hand. This includes food, litter, medication, supplements and anything else your pet regularly uses or requires.

Fortunately, it’s pretty simple to keep your pets healthy during the pandemic. That good news makes these uncertain times easier to manage, as we can depend on our cats, dogs and other pets to provide the companionship and much-needed distraction many of us currently rely on for our own health and wellbeing.

Have questions about coronavirus and pets in Phoenix, AZ? Schedule an appointment with the veterinary team at Christown Animal Hospital. Our staff remains up to date on all of the news related to COVID-19 and animals. Contact us now to book an appointment.

Categorised in: Pet Safety

This post was written by Writer