Whether you have a 10-year-old German Shepherd at home or you’ve just recently adopted one (like many Americans during this crisis), caring for your German Shepherd during a pandemic is much different than caring for them during normal times. After all, German Shepherds are an energetic and sociable breed, and staying locked up inside will do them more harm than good.
That’s why we’ve put together these few tips on how to care for your German Shepherd during the COVID-19 outbreak:
Can dogs get coronavirus?
First and foremost, we want to tackle the question that is on everybody’s mind: can my German Shepherd get coronavirus? While one dog in North Carolina did test positive for the virus, there is currently no widespread evidence that dogs can contract or spread COVID-19. Nevertheless, you should still practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently and making sure your dog doesn’t interact with people or other pets while outside.
If you are healthy, take your German Shepherd out for frequent walks
As we said before, German Shepherds are an energetic breed, and that means they’ll need to get out of the house and run around for a little while. You should avoid dog parks or other large public spaces, but you can still take your dog out for a walk around the neighborhood, making sure to stay 6 feet apart from other people at all times. Your walk should last about 30-45 minutes, and it can be done once per day or it can be broken up throughout the day.
Make plans for if you get sick
If you do fall ill with COVID-19, you won’t be able to take your dog out for their daily walks. When this happens, you’ll need to have a plan in place in order to properly take care of them. If you’re still feeling well enough to take care of them yourself, then you can practice indoor activities such as hide and seek, tug-of-war, or you could teach your dog to use a treadmill. If you have a backyard, you can also play fetch. Just be sure to wear a mask while you interact with them and wash your hands frequently. If, however, you are not up to taking care of your pup, then you should find someone else in your household or family who can take care of them while you recover (you should have this person picked out before falling ill).
The COVID-19 outbreak is challenging for all of us. So, if you need some more tips on how to care for your German Shepherd during the COVID-19 outbreak, feel free to contact Vom Springer today.