Like most of the world, your favorite canine has had its life upended by the ongoing pandemic. Domesticated creatures grow accustomed to their routines, and when you have to make adjustments to their schedules, they often misbehave and become overstressed. Adapting to an environment of lockdowns, curfews and closed public parks is challenging for dogs and humans, but you can use the following suggestions to help weather the storm and keep your dog safe in the new year.

Maintain a Regular Feeding Schedule

Your schedule may have changed recently, and your dog may have problems adjusting to the changes. Dogs sometimes react wildly to changes in their everyday routine, and it may take time for them to grow accustomed to different feeding times. However, if you feed them at the same times every day, they’ll adapt to the new schedule quickly. Along with plenty of nutritious food, you should keep your dog well-hydrated. Veterinarians reported more dogs having dehydration issues since the onset of the pandemic, and they recommend using a water bowl with a reservoir that fills the bowl up after the dog finishes drinking. Reservoir-based bowls are especially helpful if you’re away from home for long periods.

Keep Large Supplies of Food and Medications

Due to lockdown restrictions, curfews and limited grocery store supplies, it’s wise to stock up on essential supplies for your dog. If the local grocery store in your area has stocking issues, you can use an online distributor to deliver monthly or bi-monthly supplies for your canine. Some of the online products are much cheaper than the ones offered in local shops, and you can order large quantities to minimize trips to the pet shop. You can contact your vet to request a six month or years’ worth of medicine for dogs with medical conditions. If you add supplements to your companion’s diet, you can use an ultimate pet nutrition coupon to keep it healthy.

Provide Daily Exercise

Daily exercise is crucial to a dog’s health, but it’s more challenging to find public areas, like local parks, to take your dog. If you’re unable to take your dog for walks around the neighborhood, you can walk it in the yard or around your home. Even if it’s for fifteen minutes a day, try to give your friend daily exercise. As you have probably witnessed, your dog craves attention and may act up if it feels neglected. Set aside some time every day to play with your dog and show it your appreciation with an occasional treat.

Avoid Strange Animals and Humans

To reduce your companion’s chance of catching or spreading an infection, you should avoid crowded areas when you go for walks and minimize your contact with strange animals or humans. Stay a distance of at least six feet away from nearby walkers and prohibit your dog from sniffing or rubbing against other animals. Avoid public dog parts and indoor areas other than your home.

Clean Your Dog Frequently

The CDC and WHO have stated that dogs pose a low risk of transmitting the virus, but they have encountered a few rare cases of animals with COVID 19. Although none of the animals have become sick from the disease, it’s unclear whether they could transfer the virus to humans. Some medical experts suggest that an infected person could sneeze or cough on a dog, and the virus would then be spread to the next human that pets the dog. However, that scenario is only theoretical and hasn’t been proven with physical evidence. Since the risk exists, it’s necessary to clean your dog’s paws and fur frequently to minimize the chance of an infection. Dog toys, rugs and beds should be regularly sanitized, and you throw away any foreign objects your pet dragged in from outside.

Keeping your furry companion healthy during the pandemic can be difficult, but with adequate planning and a few habit changes, you can keep your dog safe for 2021.