Self-isolating with Your Pets Due to COVID-19? Ideas to Keep Pets (and you!) Busy and What to Pack in a Crisis Kit

Self-isolating with Your Pets Due to COVID-19?

Ideas to Keep Pets (and you!) Busy and What to Pack in a Crisis Kit

               Life is certainly different right now due to the COVID-19 virus and attempts to slow its spread. Most places are closed and we are being asked to essentially stay home for the next two weeks or maybe longer.  Patton Veterinary Hospital plans to remain open but with restrictions which you can find on our website and Facebook page.

               If you are going a little stir-crazy with all this indoor time, here are some thoughts on how to stay sane and keep your pets happy, too!

• Thank goodness it’s still okay to be outdoors so take those dogs (or cats!) for a walk or throw the ball in the yard. Fresh air, sunshine and warmer temperatures herald the arrival of spring. Just don’t congregate with too many people so maybe no dog park for now, but otherwise, enjoy the longer days, blooming flowers and brave the great outdoors!
• Have cats or can’t get outside?  There are plenty of fun things you can do indoors as well. You can set up a scavenger hunt for your dog or cat with tasty treats hidden around the house.  Treats with a stronger odor may be easier to find, but dogs and cats have amazing noses so even treats like milk bones will likely be found quickly.  Put your pet outside or in another room, then hide small treats for him or her to find. Release the hounds and time them to see how quickly they can retrieve all the treats!
• Feeling crafty?  It seems everyone will soon have an abundance of cardboard toilet paper rolls which are great for crafting. My dogs like to tear them up, so, if you don’t mind cleaning up a bit of a mess, just let your dogs go hog wild with a toilet paper roll frenzy. Just make sure they’re not eating the cardboard!  For cats, they may also like to play with then as-is, but you can make toys with them.  A super easy one is to put some treats inside and just fold the ends closed then see if your kitty can get the treats out. Get the kids involved decorating the outside!  If you have an old sock to spare (no holes!) or a nylon stocking, you can place some dried catnip in the toe, push a toilet paper roll inside and tie the end to close.  Let your kitty go wild!  You or the kids can decorate these too with bits of felt or fabric markers or just draw on the cardboard if using a nylon stocking.  Lost out at the store and have no toilet paper squares to spare? Paper towel rolls, egg cartons and plastic juice or soda bottles can also be used for DIY toys.  Hide treats under egg carton cups or make a puzzle toy from a 2 liter soda bottle with holes cut in it and treats placed inside. Use your imagination!
• You can always enjoy a snuggle session on the couch while binge watching your favorite TV shows (we all need to turn off the new for a while!) or curling up with a good book.  Pets help lower our blood pressure and relieve stress and anxiety so, stay in your jammies, brew a cup of tea and let the pets pile on for an ultimate cozy day at home.

Finally, we’re all hoping this isolation from our fellow humans will only last a few weeks, but, if it lasts longer or if for some reason you need to vacate your home in the event of a future natural disaster, having a crisis kit may be helpful, and, don’t forget to include provisions for your pets.  Have copies of current vaccinations (especially rabies) and a 14-30 days’ supply of pet food, water (bottled is okay but to save resources, consider filling an empty milk jug or juice bottle with tap water) and any medications your pet takes.  First aid supplies are helpful, too. Keep a leash and collar or harness or carrier nearby.  Plastic bags, paper towels and cat litter/litter pan and a blanket or familiar toy are also good ideas.

One final reminder, there is no evidence at this time that cats or dogs can be infected with COVID-19 so they pose no risk to their humans.  Please stay safe and healthy and enjoy time with your pets and family.
This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.ready.gov/pets

https://charlestondogwalker.com/2017/07/21/simple-homemade-cat-toys

               Life is certainly different right now due to the COVID-19 virus and attempts to slow its spread. Most places are closed and we are being asked to essentially stay home for the next two weeks or maybe longer.  Patton Veterinary Hospital plans to remain open but with restrictions which you can find on our website and Facebook page.

               If you are going a little stir-crazy with all this indoor time, here are some thoughts on how to stay sane and keep your pets happy, too!

• Thank goodness it’s still okay to be outdoors so take those dogs (or cats!) for a walk or throw the ball in the yard. Fresh air, sunshine and warmer temperatures herald the arrival of spring. Just don’t congregate with too many people so maybe no dog park for now, but otherwise, enjoy the longer days, blooming flowers and brave the great outdoors!
• Have cats or can’t get outside?  There are plenty of fun things you can do indoors as well. You can set up a scavenger hunt for your dog or cat with tasty treats hidden around the house.  Treats with a stronger odor may be easier to find, but dogs and cats have amazing noses so even treats like milk bones will likely be found quickly.  Put your pet outside or in another room, then hide small treats for him or her to find. Release the hounds and time them to see how quickly they can retrieve all the treats!
• Feeling crafty?  It seems everyone will soon have an abundance of cardboard toilet paper rolls which are great for crafting. My dogs like to tear them up, so, if you don’t mind cleaning up a bit of a mess, just let your dogs go hog wild with a toilet paper roll frenzy. Just make sure they’re not eating the cardboard!  For cats, they may also like to play with then as-is, but you can make toys with them.  A super easy one is to put some treats inside and just fold the ends closed then see if your kitty can get the treats out. Get the kids involved decorating the outside!  If you have an old sock to spare (no holes!) or a nylon stocking, you can place some dried catnip in the toe, push a toilet paper roll inside and tie the end to close.  Let your kitty go wild!  You or the kids can decorate these too with bits of felt or fabric markers or just draw on the cardboard if using a nylon stocking.  Lost out at the store and have no toilet paper squares to spare? Paper towel rolls, egg cartons and plastic juice or soda bottles can also be used for DIY toys.  Hide treats under egg carton cups or make a puzzle toy from a 2 liter soda bottle with holes cut in it and treats placed inside. Use your imagination!
• You can always enjoy a snuggle session on the couch while binge watching your favorite TV shows (we all need to turn off the new for a while!) or curling up with a good book.  Pets help lower our blood pressure and relieve stress and anxiety so, stay in your jammies, brew a cup of tea and let the pets pile on for an ultimate cozy day at home.

Finally, we’re all hoping this isolation from our fellow humans will only last a few weeks, but, if it lasts longer or if for some reason you need to vacate your home in the event of a future natural disaster, having a crisis kit may be helpful, and, don’t forget to include provisions for your pets.  Have copies of current vaccinations (especially rabies) and a 14-30 days’ supply of pet food, water (bottled is okay but to save resources, consider filling an empty milk jug or juice bottle with tap water) and any medications your pet takes.  First aid supplies are helpful, too. Keep a leash and collar or harness or carrier nearby.  Plastic bags, paper towels and cat litter/litter pan and a blanket or familiar toy are also good ideas.

One final reminder, there is no evidence at this time that cats or dogs can be infected with COVID-19 so they pose no risk to their humans.  Please stay safe and healthy and enjoy time with your pets and family.
This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.ready.gov/pets

https://charlestondogwalker.com/2017/07/21/simple-homemade-cat-toys