COVER Looking after pets in a pandemic

From whether pets can catch coronavirus to how to keep your animals fit during isolation, we put your most common concerns to vet Alison Thomas

Can pets catch or spread Covid-19?

There is no evidence that pets can be a source of infection, or become sick from the virus. It is possible that traces of the virus could live on an animal’s fur, but that’s no more dangerous than, say, having supermarket shopping delivered to your house that may contain traces of the virus if it’s been touched previously by an infected person.

The advice, then, for pet owners is to carry on practising good hygiene, always washing your hands after touching your pet and, of course, before eating or touching your face.

For owners who do become unwell with coronavirus, the advice is to get someone else in the household to look after the pet to reduce contact. If you live alone, your relative or neighbour may walk your dog so it can be exercised. Just encourage your helper to use their own lead, or sterilise yours before and after every walk and keep at least two metres’ distance when handing over the dog. In this situation, you should also try to keep contact with any pets to a minimum and avoid snuggling and kissing them, just in case you do spread the virus to their fur.

How can I give my dog enough exercise during lockdown?

The latest Government guidance allows for one walk every day for each person, but if your dog is normally used to more than that, there are some solutions:

■ If you live with another adult, each walk the dog separately, so the dog gets its two walks a day.

■ In your garden, or even inside, do simple fetch exercises; train them to sit or stay and hide things for them to find. This gives them a mental challenge that can tire them out just as much as running around the park.

■ A good activity is to show your dog you have a treat or a toy in your hand, shout ‘find it’ and throw it across the floor. When they find the food or toy, say ‘yes!’ so the dog knows they’ve done what you wanted.

■ If your dog is getting less exercise than normal, keep an eye on their body shape to check they’re not getting overweight and if they are, adjust the amount of food they have accordingly.

Can I still take my pet to the vet?

Most vets are currently only offering emergency appointments with everything else done by telephone. If your pet is due vaccinations or any other routine treatments, contact them to see if these can be postponed. With this in mind, you should also remind yourself of some basics to avoid an unnecessary vet visit. Keep dogs on a lead if they’re not great at recall and make sure anything harmful is kept out of reach. If you’re struggling to find pet food as the supermarket shelves are empty and there is no other option, dogs and cats will be okay with a small amount of human food for a short time. Just avoid foods that are toxic to dogs and cats including onions, garlic and chocolate.

Can I adopt a pet during this time?

Pet adoption rates soared before we went into lockdown, as people sought companionship while they’re at home. We’d welcome people adopting a pet as long as they can continue to look after it once the pandemic is over. But it’s important to point out it may not be the right time to take on a new puppy or kitten as it may be difficult to get vaccinations and socialise them properly during this time.

■ Visit www.bluecross.org.uk/ coronavirus for more details.