5 Things To Keep In Mind When Stocking Up For Pet Essentials During Lockdown
Coronavirus is here with us and it has changed how everything is done. From social gatherings to places of worship to learning institutions, etc. all things have come to a halt.
With everything that’s going on in regards to coronavirus lockdown, it makes sense to think about how you’ll survive during this period. Where will you buy essential items such as food, especially the perishable ones?
This explains why a lot of people are flocking the stores to make essential purchases such as food, not forgetting sanitizers, face masks, and toilet papers. It is not recommended to stockpile, though. You only need to buy items that will take you through the 30-day quarantine.
But even as you stock your own items, it is equally important to remember your pets as well. What will your pet be doing during the lockdown? Have you stocked their food? What about their medications and entertainment? Do you have plans in place to ensure that they remain healthy and entertained during this period?
Don’t panic, though. Here are some of the things to keep in mind when stocking up pet items during this coronavirus lockdown:
Entertainment
Social distancing and coronavirus lockdown have the same impacts on pets as it has on humans. Now that you’ll be working at home, pets will have you at home most of the time. Among other things, this will allow you to do things that you could not do with your pet before.
While you might enjoy most of your time with your pets, it can also be a challenge especially if your pets are used to spending time outdoors.
You, therefore, need to derive ways that can help keep your pets engaged and entertained as you continue with work, including:
Games
The lockdown period provides an ideal opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and the pets. Buy your pet’s favorite toys that you can play during this period. What’s more, you can use food and treats to keep your pet engaged.
Interactive Toys
In practical terms, you’re unlikely to spend all the time with your pet. Interactive toys are ideal to help keep your pets engaged when you’re working. You can also turn mealtimes into playtimes using puzzle feeders.
2. Pet Food
While pet stores will remain open during the lockdown, it is important to ensure that you have enough pet food in your house to avoid going out now and then. Be sure to stock foods that offer the required nutrients to your pets during the lockdown period.
Canned foods such as Wellness 95 Percent Salmon Canned Dog Food are not just easy to store but will also provide the purest way to include meat to your pet’s diet. Wellness 95% is a delicious meal that can complement the dry kibble.
Ideally, you need to stock up pet food items based on their shelf life. This way, you’re sure that you’ll have enough food to feed your pets during the lockdown without going bad.
3. Rest and Sleep
On average, adult dogs sleep 12 to 16 hours a day. Puppies will definitely need more than that. Remember your dog was sleeping during the day when you were at work. Now that we’re at home most of the time due to coronavirus lockdown, your dog may not get enough time to sleep during the day.
Consider having a quiet place where your pets can sleep without being disturbed by activities in the house. To that end, you may want to have a comfy bed to ensure that your dog gets enough rest.
For instance, you can have a scratching post in a high place so they can see what’s happening.
4. Medications
Our four-legged friends are not just pets; they are part of our family. You, therefore, need to ensure that they remain healthy during the lockdown.
If your pet has an existing medical condition, ensure to buy the required medication. Pets, just like humans, might need antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, etc.
Also, remember to stock antiparasitics to help prevent and kill internal and external parasites, for instance, intestinal protozoans, intestinal worms, fleas, ticks, and heartworms.
You can also stock other medications such as insulin for diabetes, atenolol and pimobendan for heart conditions, and methimazole to regulate thyroid hormone levels.
However, remember to call your veterinarian if you faced with a complicated situation.
5. Grooming
You may also want to buy grooming tools to help keep your pet healthy during the lockdown. By grooming your pets at home, you’ll make them feel loved.
Tools such as nail trimmers, comb, or a brush come in handy in this exercise.