The social distancing guidelines have left everyone in a strange mental state, and it has become increasingly difficult to stay healthy in this fundamentally changed world. However, humans are not the only ones suffering through this quarantine, it is important to remember that pets have realized that something is wrong as well. Dogs or emotional support animals need to be taken care of during these troubled times, so here are five ways to keep your dog healthy while social distancing.
1. Update Your Pet Food
To reduce trips to the store, it is safer and easier to order your pet food online. Since you are already switching up how you buy your pet food, why not switch up the food you buy as well? With the extra time that most people have now, there is plenty of time to research to make sure your furry friend is getting the best nutrition possible. For example, the Ultimate Pet Nutrition is a company that claims to offer your dog the best nutrition in the form of supplements, similar to the kinds of supplements that humans use. Look at some reviews to see if it is right for you.
2. Take Your Dog Outside
Even though medical and governmental professionals are encouraging you to socially distance in your home, that does not mean that you are not allowed outside. As long as you follow the guidelines in your state for social distancing, you should still be taking your dog outside and giving him or her space to run and play. Many parks are closed, but if you or someone you know has a yard with a lot of space, take your dog there for the exercise he or she needs to stay healthy.
3. Remote Vet Visits
Many veterinarian offices are closed currently, so this is not an ideal time for your dog to be feeling under the weather. However, some veterinarians are offering either online or over-the-phone appointments. More serious injuries and illnesses may require in-person attention and will likely be given priority over checkups or minor ailments, but if you are at all concerned for your pet’s health, it is better to be safe than sorry. Try to set up an online or phone call appointment before breaking social distancing guidelines if possible.
4. Let Your Dog See Friends
There are two main ways to go about socializing your dog when you yourself are not allowed to be social. Firstly, you can visit someone who you feel safe and comfortable visiting in a small group setting and who has a dog. This is a much more personable connection and is generally preferred over the second option. The second option is letting your dog see people over video chat. Whether or not your dog gains anything socially from video chatting is unclear, but they can recognize people and voices, especially if the face appears on a larger screen, like a television.
5. Learn Grooming Skills
Like almost everything else, dog groomers are closed right now, and while a professional groomer is the ideal type of person to groom your dog, there are certain grooming skills you can learn at home. You can learn to properly wash, brush, and cut the hair and nails of your dog from the comfort of your home. You will need to buy certain tools online if you want to do the job properly, but you can make back all the money you spend on grooming tools by not having to pay for grooming appointments.
You care about your dog as much as, or potentially more than, your friends and family, and you want the best life possible for your furry friend. If you have a little extra cash laying around, it can be more than worth it to buy some food or other supplies to improve the quality of life for your dog. Keeping your dog happy and healthy will make him or her eternally grateful for your kindness.