Top tips for keeping your pets healthy and away from the vet during Covid-19

Dogs

• You might have more toys or other items than usual lying around the house at the moment. If your dog is likely to chew these then ensure the dog is kept separated from all of these items.

• You might have more medications around in case they are needed. Make sure these are somewhere secure where your dog can’t reach them.

• Watch out for these common toxic items kept around the house:

o Chocolate 

o Onions 

o Raisins 

o Rat poison 

o Slug pellets

• When taking your dog for walks keep them on a lead so there’s no risk of them running off, only go places you know well and you know you and your dog can manage easily.

• If your dogs are not neutered take extra care to ensure they do not have chance to mate, we do not know how long the covid19 situation will go on for and you may be stuck looking after a whole litter of puppies, unable to rehome them and unable to socialise them properly.

• If you have an old dog who is getting a little stiff in his old age and now you have plenty of time on your hands, do not start taking them for long walks that they are not used to.

• If you have a young puppy socialising is going to difficult/impossible. But there are some aspects you can work on, like exposing them to sounds using recordings.

• Do not start giving more treats because you are spending more time with them. Being overweight will put them at risk of many health issues.

• You might be doing more DIY or gardening while stuck at home, make sure any tools are left safely.

  Cats  

• You might want to buy flowers to cheer someone up. If they own cats do not send bunches containing lilies.

• If your cats are not neutered keep them indoors.

• Remember your cats may not be used to having you home so much, and for some cats this may be stressful. Make sure you give them plenty of space, let them have somewhere peaceful to get away from everyone.

• Do not give in to their demands for more food. Being overweight will put them at risk of many health issues.

.Rabbits

• Ensure you are giving a good diet consisting of mostly hay or grass with only a small portion of good quality of pellets and a small pile of veg a day.

• Do not give in to their demands for more food. Being overweight will put them at risk of many health issues.