Covid 19 has created stress for per owners and pets both.Some of our readers may be totally new to pet parenthood.Are you worried about your pet during corona virus threat ?

Do new pet owners need help in corona pandemic? There are various questions regarding pet ownership which Emergency Manager is going to address.

A recent survey about first-time dog owners titled "Embracing Pet Care for Life" reveals that taking care of a new pet, especially during a pandemic, may not be as simple as one may think.

How to expel excess energy of pets ?

More than one-third (38%) of pandemic puppy owners say they were surprised by how much attention their pet requires. Additionally, one-third (33%) of the people who became dog owners for the first time during the pandemic ("pandemic first-time dog owners") and are now considering re-homing their dog cited their dog's high energy as a contributing factor.

• Pet Care Tip: For those with pets that have excessive energy, try taking them on shorter, more frequent walks throughout the day. Pet activity trackers, such as Sure Petcare's Animo®, also can help by monitoring a dog's activity and sending alerts if there are any changes in behavior, so their owners can then make adjustments as needed. Always remember that excessive energy is common in dogs of all ages as they get accustomed to a new home.

How to protect puppies from parasites ?

One-third (35%) of pandemic first-time dog owners say giving their dog flea and tick preventative treatments has been an unexpected hurdle, ranking this responsibility as even more difficult than housebreaking. With this in mind, it comes to no surprise that nearly one-third (29%) of all pandemic puppy owners, including both experienced and first-time dog owners, said they were surprised to learn how much parasites can impact their dog's health.

• Pet Care Tip: For many pandemic puppy owners who were surprised by how much parasites can impact their dog's health; the key is to make sure young pups are protected. Puppies eight weeks of age or older can use BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) 1-MONTH Chews to protect them from fleas and ticks until six months of age before transitioning to the extended duration chew for adult dogs. Puppies can also be exposed to internal intestinal parasites, so it's important for dog owners to think about complementary products such as SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® Chews (milbemycin oxime, lufenuron, and praziquantel), which offer broad-spectrum, internal and external parasite protection against six different kind of parasites in dogs and puppies. Just remember to always talk to a veterinarian about the proper medications and dosage for puppies.

How to simplify parasite prevention for adult dogs ?

Only slightly more than half (57%) of pandemic first-time dog owners consider themselves knowledgeable about their pet's preventative healthcare such as parasite prevention, even though most of them originally thought they were adequately or even overly prepared before bringing a new dog home. Additionally, 37% of people who already owned dogs have been spending more time with their four-legged companions outside since the pandemic started, which includes taking them on more walks (38%), going hiking (14%), camping (11%) and bringing them to parks more often (18%). As a result, they are potentially exposing their dog(s) to more fleas and ticks than usual, making parasite protection critical.

• Pet Care Tip: Parasite protection is something that remains critical throughout a dog's lifetime. Keep it simple and effective as dogs age by transitioning them to BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) Chews, a single dose with extended duration provides 12 weeks2 of flea and tick protection for dogs six months and older, taking the hassle of monthly dosing off the doggie to-do list. Knowing parasite protection is critical to a dog's long-term health and well-being, pet owners should talk to their veterinarian about preventative products, such as BRAVECTO and SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® Chews, that fight against the most common, harmful parasites that affect dogs inside and out. 

How to maintain a preventative care schedule for pets ?

Nearly one-fourth of pandemic first-time dog owners (22%) report they have encountered unexpected challenges when trying to schedule veterinary appointments. Approximately one-third (27%) of people who owned dogs prior to the pandemic said this was a challenge for them, as well.

• Pet Care Tip: Regular veterinarian visits are key to preventing health issues among dogs, especially when it comes to recommended core vaccinations that protect them from serious diseases. A monthly schedule can help. Talk to your veterinarian about a preventative care schedule and try not to skip any appointments. Also, keep in mind that recommendations for some vaccines and other preventative measures may vary depending on the dog's overall lifestyle, activity levels and local climate, so talk to a veterinarian about your dog's unique needs.

How to use veterinary team virtually ?

Overall, more than half of pandemic dog owners say they wish taking care of their dog's health was easier and less time consuming (57% and 56%, respectively). Nearly half of pre-pandemic dog owners feel the same way (46% and 34%, respectively); however, only 19% of them say they have spoken to their vet more often during the pandemic.

• Pet Care Tip: Your entire veterinary team can be a great resource for pet care advice, including the veterinarian nurses at your local clinic. As a pet owner, consider writing down all pet care questions and/or challenges in advance to gather trustworthy advice from the veterinarian during the next visit. And for dog owners having trouble scheduling in-person or curbside veterinary appointments, ask the veterinary team about telemedicine and if a virtual visit is possible. 

"The increased interest in pet parenting has been incredibly heartening, particularly given the emotional strain caused by the global pandemic. It's inspiring to see thousands of families opening their doors and their hearts to welcome new pets into their home," said Courtney Campbell, DVM, DACVS-SA, veterinary surgeon at Vetsurg.

The survey has been commissioned by Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, which is the global animal health business unit of Merck. 

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