Social Distancing & Your Pet

How to navigate the new normal with your dog. 

A pet is a part of the family, and can be a great source of comfort and joy. Our furry friends are so important, particularly when life gets stressful. With the current state of the nation and the world, COVID-19 is affecting our day to day and the emotional impact could be extending to our pets. To help navigate daily life with a four-legged friend, check out these fast facts and best practices for dog-related COVID-19 info and social distancing.

Dogs & COVID-19

According to several outlets including www.PetMD.com, dogs and cats cannot transmit COVID-19. While there is no threat to dogs, their owners should be very careful and adhere to all publically issued advisories and guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated the below:

“There is no reason to think that any animals including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19.”

*Keep in mind that COVID-19 is different from canine and feline coronavirus. Canine and feline coronavirus has been around for quite some time and does not pass to humans.

Social Distancing

Social distancing is quickly becoming the new normal, with people across the globe making concerted efforts to reduce the amount of close contact and help combat the spread of COVID-19. So how does a person with a dog handle social distancing?

With vigilance and grace! Consider your own social distancing practices the same for your pet. Avoid dog parks, crowded outdoor areas, and narrow walkways. Only take your dog to a space where you can safely stay six feet away from another passerby. If someone does approach, safely step aside and let the other person pass at a comfortable distance. If your dog is excitable or still training, make sure you keep treats on you whenever outdoors to positively reward and redirect your dog. If you’re ever in a place that’s becoming crowded, opt out early and head elsewhere.

Routine, Routine, Routine

Pets may be happy to have you home, but the change in routine could cause them some degree of anxiety. To curb any unwanted stress in your pet’s life, it’s best to stick to a routine – even if it’s a loose one.

If your dog is used to walking in the mornings and evenings, continue to do so using social distancing best practices. If they eat at a certain time, try to feed them per usual. And if you’re home more than normal, take this opportunity to schedule in additonal playtime with your pet. This will help your dog dispense of extra energy and will ultimately help grow the bond between the two of you.

It’s A Dog’s World and our neighboring kennel partner, Chino’s Caring Kennel, routinely disinfected with anti-viral cleaners. We take great pride in  being in accordance with CDC recommendations, and increased the cleaning frequency and protocols to include all surfaces that people regularly contact. As we know, hand washing hygiene is an important at all times. We continue to implement these expectations for all staff and clients. We provide options for hand cleaning and hand sanitizers for clients and associates, and we work closely with our teams to ensure that anyone who is not feeling well understands that we support them staying home. We are open for Board & Train only, all group classes have been suspended. www.ItsADogsWorld.biz.