Pets are for life and not just for lockdown
The struggle is real for most of us: uncertainty about the future, separation from our loved ones, concerns about health and wellbeing, these are just a handful of the anxieties affecting us. So what it is like for those isolating alone?… One possible answer to this concern is “why not get a new pet to keep you company?"
Mentally and physically, having a pet is proving to have a positive effect during this stressful time. The Coronavirus outbreak has inspired many people to open their homes up to pets in need of adoption. It has shown in studies that during lockdown the interest and adoption levels have risen dramatically. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London saw a surge in interest, from Monday 16th of March they re-homed 86 dogs and 69 cats, an increase of over 100% for both animals compared with the same week last year.
If you are considering or have already got a pet during these uncertain times, it's important to remember that animals are a huge commitment. It would be very irresponsible to allow yourself to get an animal unless you're really able to care for them in the long term.
Mental and physical care for your pet
As humans we are experiencing a change and a new way of life, the difference between us and animals is that they are unaware and will be very confused and overwhelmed with the change of environment. Cuddle your pet, make them feel comfortable, the more interaction in their home the better! Pets can be great comforters to us: they can decrease the stress levels of their owners, which for a lot of us has recently risen. A study has shown that pets can lower their owners blood pressure! They can help improve our health just as much as we can care for theirs.
Many dogs will be ecstatic having that extra time and attention from their owners; however some animals may find it a little overwhelming, cats especially. Cats generally prioritise quiet periods alone throughout the day and may prefer to sleep when the house is quiet. Therefore, it is important that we ensure they still have quiet, undisturbed places they can go to and be alone and just do what a cat does best (nap). The most important thing cat owners can do is stick to ‘business as usual’ when it comes to the daily routines they are used to.
If you are unwell, it is best to try make alternative arrangements for someone to look after your pet, dogs in particular, so that they are still getting their daily exercise. If you can maybe arrange for your dog to stay at the kennels, or use a dog walking service (while still keeping to the social distancing rules) until you feel better. One company we can suggest using is Coop Doggy Dog.
Coop Doggy Dog
Coop Doggy Dog is a fantastic company, ran by all round animal lover Jessica Cooper. Jessica is a responsible dog & cat owner, Notorious D-O-G walker and sitter, based in Kings Cross however willing and able to travel in and around the city to meet your dog walking needs. Jessica’s ethos is to ensure that your pet is safe, loved and well exercised. She kindly gave us some words of wisdom and great advice on exercising and grooming your dog during lockdown.
Grooming tips
1. Do not cut/touch the undercoat of an animal as this is where their body temperature is controlled.
2. If you can, trim around the eyes of your dog, this will help control any irritation that may be caused by the fur.
3. Check the paws, ensure they are not too dry and that there is no hair tangled around the paw areas.
4. Brush them every other day as this will help get rid of any dirt and grime that may irritate their skin.
5. Try to bathe your dog once a week.
Exercise tips
1. Take advantage of walks, if there are more than one of you in a household then split up your time and allowance. This will keep you fit and healthy as well as your dog.
2. Maintain routine, try and keep this as normal as possible, for example walk before work like you may normally do.
3. Some animals will need some chill out space, make sure you have an area for your pet so be away from the commotion in the house.
4. Toys are a great way of keeping them occupied, make sure you are keeping them entertained by maybe playing fetch with a ball etc.
5. If you are lucky enough to have a garden, let them roam around freely, they will benefit from fresh air and will get a lot of exercise just by being outside.
Coop Doggy Dog is a great solution for those experiencing difficulties looking after their pet while working from home, or for those new pet owners to get some help and advice from a professional. Check out the website for more information, you can even meet the pack, one member being Buster Rhymes. Go to Coop Doggy Dog Website.
TIPS AND TRICKS
We are all trying our best to listen and obey the current Government guidance, do not worry it’s okay to go outside once a day for exercise and this can include walking your dog, just ensure you are keeping your distance from others. Avoiding popular dog walking spots and keeping your dog on-lead will help you to abide these rules.
You may want to distract your dog while you’re working, treats will be most pet owners’ solution to this problem, however it is advised to not overfeed your pet by using treats as a distraction, stay away from puzzle feeders too. Try to come up with another way to distract them, such as a chew toy or letting them run around in the garden (or different room in the house/flat).
If you can’t go outside for any reason there are alternatives, for example going up and down the stairs with your dog. Get creative and make little obstacle courses around your home. Some power walking around the house is also a way of keeping you and your dog moving. There are so many different ways you can keep your dog active, and you don’t even have to step outside your front door. The dogs trust came up with some really creative and great ideas to keep your dog happy:
- Have a treasure hunt – hide some of your dog’s favourite treats in different rooms around the house and see how quickly they manage to locate them.
- Play their favourite game – Catch? Fetch? Tug of war? They’re all great fun to your dog! Show them some love by spending time playing their favourite game with them.
- Make them their very own Snuffle mat - A snuffle mat is an enrichment toy that encourages your dog to sniff and search out hidden treats amongst the mat.
- Build them a Doggy Den - Their bed may be looking a little lived in so why not create your dog a new comfortable place to sleep.
- Teach them some new tricks! Dog trust have "easy to follow" dog school videos on their website.
6. This is also a good time to focus on those good behaviour obedience trainings that we may have started when our dog was a puppy and let slip over the years.
If you would like some more advice, or have been inspired to adopt a dog, just head over to the dogs trust website.