Making the most out of staying home with your pet

MILLIONS of Americans are currently being asked to stay home because of the coronavirus pandemic. If you live with other people and animals, you’ve been spending more time than usual with them.

How is that going? Is there a little stress in the home? Are you in each other’s space?

Many of us are trying to adjust to being either isolated from others or with more people and pets than normal. Here are some pet tips to help you get by:

■ Animals generally like routines, so keep yours intact to maintain the harmony in your home. If you are permitted to walk your dog, observe social distancing protocols so everyone is safe. In your home or yard, play games with your dog, like fetch or hide-and-seek, and get your cat moving with toys that make him or her chase something across the floor or swat at something in the air.

■ You can also use this time to train your dog. This bonding time will improve your relationship and help tire your dog out, too. Get your kids to help with the training, and break those treats into small pieces so they last longer.

■ If you are feeling anxious or depressed, meditate with your pets. All you have to do is sit and stroke them, and you will almost instantly feel the benefits of this human-animal connection.

■ This also might be a good time to adopt or foster a pet. In addition to providing a permanent or temporary home for a pet during this crisis, fostering or adopting a pet can be a great way to bring some furry companionship to your home during this isolation period. The shelter probably will cover pet food and medical expenses, so it won’t cost you anything.

Consider these tips, and stay well.

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