COVID-19 Preparedness for Pet Owners
Please note that the CDC says Coronavirus is spread to humans through person-to-person contact. To date, there have been no reports of pets or livestock becoming ill or spreading the coronavirus in the U.S. In addition, the World Health Organization has stated that there is no evidence that dogs or cats have become ill with the virus.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we’ve compiled a checklist for pet owners to be prepared in the unfortunate event that you become ill and are unable to care for your pets. These recommendations are encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They recommend that this type of preparedness kit include vital documents, food and medication, various supplies, and detailed instructions of daily care for your pet. This kit ensures that your pet is properly cared for during your recovery time.
DAILY CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
As you create your daily care instructions for your pet, think about their detailed schedule. No detail is too small, some things to consider when creating your instructions are listed below:
1. Habits: Does your pet have a specific ritual in the morning, when you leave, when you go to bed?
2. Feeding: What time is your pet fed? If you have more than one pet, do they need to be fed separately?
3. Comfort: Where do your pets like to sleep? If your pet is crated, do they have a specific reward? Are there certain triggers that may make them anxious or reactive?
4. Medications: If your pet takes medication, how much and when? How do you administer the medication? Do they need to be hidden in a treat or administered with a syringe or other device?
5. Outside Time: How often does your pet typically go potty? If they go for a walk, are they dog reactive or have a high prey drive? Do they need a harness or specific gear for a walk?
KEY DOCUMENTS:
1. Rabies certificate and vaccination records
2. Prescriptions
3. Registration information (ex: adoption contract or other proof of ownership)
4. Descriptions (ex: breed, color, weight, etc.) and photographs
5. Microchip information
6. Contact information (i.e. your phone number and address)
7. Veterinary contact information
8. A list of trusted family/friends contact information
If your pet is not up to date on vaccinations, now is the time to make a vet appointment. If your pet is not yet microchipped, now is the time to have one implanted.
FOOD AND MEDICATIONS:
1. Food and water dishes
2. Supply of food and water for each pet
3. Feeding instructions for your pet(s)
4. Supply of medications
5. Detailed medication instructions for pet(s)
6. One month supply of flea, tick and heartworm preventative for each pet
OTHER SUPPLIES:
1. Detailed instructions with your pet’s typical day
2. Leashes, collars with IDs and harnesses for each pet
3. Litter box
4. Favorite toys and treats
5. Pet carrier/crate and bedding
For specific questions regarding how COVID-19 affects you and your pet, please see this helpful guide from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
