CORONAVIRUS: 5 TIPS FOR DOG OWNERS

In the first days of the Coronavirus emergency, several news were spread about the possible infection of dogs. The alarm was triggered around the first days of March, when a dog seemed to have tested "weakly" positive for Covid-19 in Hong Kong. The low values were detected on the mouth and nostrils of the animal, or the parts that enter more in contact with the owner's body. The dog was quarantined and, following a further test, tested negative for Coronavirus. So, according to experts, our four-legged best friends not only do not transmit the virus, but they cannot contract it either.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic is revolutionizing our habits: between smart working and isolation at home, it is good for dog owners to keep in mind these 5 tips that can be very useful in this particular period. Also, are you sure you know your puppy perfectly? Here's how to figure it out:

1. The walks

For dog owners, walks are allowed but only for the needs of the animal for its physiological needs. You must go out safely in compliance with government decrees and you can only take your dog out if you are a person considered "healthy". that is not positive for the Coronavirus test and forced to quarantine, even if asymptomatic. In addition, at any time you choose to go out, avoid taking too long walks, even if your best friend and you yourself would gladly continue to be outdoors . Finally, pay attention to the places where you can go: some Italian municipalities have forbidden the entrance to the parks, to prevent crowds of people from forming in good weather.

2. Hygiene

This point must always be taken into consideration, but even more so in this period of quarantine. According to experts, the Coronavirus remains in the environment if it finds living human cells, but, to date, there is no evidence that dogs can carry the virus. In any case, once the walk is over, it is always good to clean the dog's paws before entering the house. To do this, particularly aggressive products are not necessary, indeed alcohol-based ones are to be avoided. This is because alcohol reacts on contact with the animal's paws, irritating them and causing it to scratch. Instead, use Marseille soap diluted in water: this mixture not only sanitizes but is also non-toxic and poses no risk if your dog licks himself. For the coat, simply brush it to remove any possible residues of earth and of dirt, and then wipe it with a sanitizing wipe for animals (buy them on Amazon on offer).

3. Games to play at home

By reducing the time spent on walks, our four-legged friends need to be distracted while they are at home. To do this, you can indulge yourself with your imagination, also using recycled material, such as plastic trays or jars and cardboard boxes. For example, after having washed them carefully, take a tub or a jar of yogurt, put a biscuit for dogs inside (be careful not to run out of them these days, take a look at the online offers) and turn everything upside down. so that the "prize" is covered. This simple exercise allows you to attract the attention of your dog, who will have to try to overturn the container to take the biscuit. To increase the difficulty, take more jars - not transparent - and put the crunchy under one of them only. the dog will have to use both his agility and intelligence in overturning the containers and his sense of smell to understand which is the right one.

If you have children, you can let them play around with your puppy. Take an old shoebox with a lid and let your kids color and decorate it. Once they have finished their work of art, put a treat in it, covering with the lid. Again, your dog will be busy finding a way to lift him and be able to eat his treat. These exercises are not "motors". but they keep the animal concentrated, tiring it and making it relax.

4. Understand your dog

In this period of quarantine due to the Coronavirus, the watchword is patience. In fact, many dogs, especially those of medium-large size, are used to very long walks. In addition, there are many dog owners who love to carry the your four-legged friend to run with them, even for several kilometers. To avoid the risk of contagion, all this is highly discouraged if not forbidden. However, our dog cannot understand it. Therefore, if you see your puppy restless and at the continuous search for attention, try to understand it: this situation is a distortion of his habits and his needs.

5. Mistakes not to commit

As this is a new situation for everyone, it is normal not to know exactly what to do. Among the most frequent mistakes, there is to consider the walk of your dog as an opportunity to go out freely. Although there is no precise rule in terms of time and distance from home, the walk is linked only to the physiological needs of the animal: once fulfilled, the owner and four-legged friend must return.

As for games to be played at home, those that involve bouncing objects and that induce dogs to jump are highly discouraged: trying to reproduce the run in the park by throwing a ball is therefore not a good idea. If there is enough space, it is better to opt for a floor game (there are several online), letting the ball slide directly on the floor.

Finally, we want to remove any doubts that dogs are not contagious. Our four-legged friends, including cats, do not infect humans with the Coronavirus. Recently, however, the alarms spread on the net with incorrect and inaccurate news have created a situation of panic, recording an increase in abandonment. For this reason, the Italian Red Cross - Metropolitan Area Committee of Rome Capital launched the #NOINONSIAMOCONTAGIOSI campaign, together with the Veterinary Doctors Order of Rome and its province. population, since, to date, there is no scientific evidence that animals can contract Covid-19 or be a transmission vehicle for humans. Several Italian celebrities have joined this information and awareness campaign, including Lino Banfi, Carmen Russo, Enzo Salvi and Cinzia Leone.