Right now, everyone needs to remain home and stay safe. But that doesn't mean we can't do something to have fun with our four-legged friends, as well as make them comfortable. In honor of National Pet Day on April 11, here are a few tips to help keep your fuzzy friend healthy and happy during these times, as well as good practices to keep in mind in general:
Stock Up on Essentials
Just like you would prepare and obtain essentials for yourself, you should stock up on basics for your fluffy friend. When it comes to food, you should buy enough to last you at least a month.
Of course, food isn’t the only thing you should consider. If you have a cat, make sure you have cat litter on hand as well. Also, if your pet is on medication for a chronic illness, try to obtain enough to last you through extended isolation.
Engage your Pet with Fun Activities and Toys
If you have the time, play some engaging games with your pets. It’s crucial that even if you have to spend more of your time indoors, that you are doing whatever you can to help them maintain their physical and mental well-being. With the help of very simple games, activities, and objects, we can help facilitate this. And while we’re at it, we can also entertain our animals in a way that’s enjoyable for them.
Smelling games for dogs
Dogs can detect scents that are kilometers away. Seriously! This is thanks to their more than 220 million olfactory cells. Smelling is essential to dogs. You can stimulate your pup’s sense of smell by hiding food under mats and in toys. Or, you could wrap some treats in rags or old clothing you have around the house. This will not only be fun for your dog but you as well!
Hunting games for cats
Try awakening your cats hunting instincts with toys, strings, feather dusters, etc. to imitate small prey. This will be a great bonding exercise to do with your pet, but that's not all. It also promotes physical activity and helps to prevent obesity, which is a common problem in domestic cats.
You can also try throwing balls of crumpled up paper or pieces of food for your cat to hunt and trap. Just keep in mind, it might take some time for your cat(s) to get used to the game.
Connect with Your Pet and Monitor Their Moods
Lastly, connect with your pet! Make sure they get enough cuddles and playtime. Training your pet is also a wonderful way to establish a deeper relationship, so if you have a dog or a cat, consider teaching them some new things. Besides the connection, they’ll get some healthy mental exercise.
Additionally, keep an eye on their behavior. Believe it or not, pets can feel anxiety and depressions, just like us. So, make sure you give them some extra time and affection if you notice something’s off.
If you keep an eye on your pet and stimulate them, they'll surely be healthy and happy during the quarantine. I mean, let's face it, they are probably delighted to have you home so much in the first place, anyways! And, when the quarantine is over, treat yourself to a nice gift, as well as a gift for your furry friend!
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