Coronavirus and Pets

Recommendations for the care of dogs and cats during the COVID-19 epidemic

The disease we are currently struggling with belongs to beta-coronaviruses, while our favorites are affected by alpha-coronaviruses, known to veterinary medicine for a long time. In dogs, coronaviruses cause mild diarrhea, and in cats, it is possibly severe infectious peritonitis (FIP). However, recently it has also been curable thanks to modern drugs - nucleoside analogues. The long-known alpha-coronaviruses in pets have nothing to do with the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

If the caregiver becomes ill

Due to the safety of people and animals, if the owner is diagnosed with COVID-19, it is recommended to limit contact with the animal and transfer care responsibilities to other household members, friends or neighbors. First of all, you should avoid playing as a result of which the guardian and the animal "kiss " and lick each other, share food, etc. A weakened human body can easily absorb other pathogens from animals that are indifferent to us on a daily basis. Therefore, during an epidemic, you should definitely not give your animals raw food and limit the release of cats outside. Pets should also be treated in accordance with the recommended official ESCCAP calendar

Precautions

For the safety of people and animals, we recommend the use of increased precautionary measures. According to generally applicable recommendations:

- observe hygiene - infected persons should avoid direct contact with animals, both infected and healthy, should avoid playing with the accompaniment of licking, "kissing ", passing food;

- prepare a card in a visible place (and / or in your wallet) with an indication of who is to take care of the animal in case you fall ill;

- wash the paws of dogs returning from walks - it is recommended to wash the entire dog at the beginning of the quarantine, preferably with a disinfecting shampoo containing e.g. chlorhexidine;

- avoid contact of own animals with other people - keep a safe distance while walking;

- make an appointment at the clinic for a specific time;

- provide food and care products for the expected duration of quarantine for your pet, at least 2 weeks (see table in expanded form).

Approximate amounts of food for cats and dogs for 2/3/4 weeks, depending on its type. (click to see)

* Calculated average value, for an average premium class food with caloric value for dry food: 350 kcal / 100g and for wet food 80 kcal / 100g. If you are feeding in a combination way, recalculate portions proportionally.

Ready-to-eat feeding tips

Remember that dry food is 3-4 times more concentrated than moist food (cans, sachets). As dry food has a higher nutritional density, it is fed at least 3 times less per day.

Also remember about the most important rules of nutrition:

1. Never do not change the diet by leaps and bounds your pet, but spread out the shift gradually over 3-7 days.

2. Don't let food lie in the bowl - Moist food after an hour can be a source of potential pathogen contamination.

3. Divide the daily ration into meals - try to stick to the set times of the day, type and size of the meal, e.g. 1/2 dry food in the morning, 1/2 wet food in the afternoon or 1/4 dry food and 1/4 wet food in the morning and the same in the afternoon.

4. The amount of snacks should not exceed 10% daily dose - depending on their concentration, from an average of 5-20% of the serving size.

5. Always provide your pet with access to fresh water - at least the volume of the cup per 5 kg of the animal's body weight.

We also encourage you to read the messages provided in official and reliable sources such as WSAVA, WHO and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on an ongoing basis.

We believe that well prepared, it is easier to endure this special period.