Keep your dog on a leash close to you
During the period of confinement, it is appropriate to avoid all human contact as much as possible by limiting all our social interactions to the strict minimum. And, if it is usually good for our dogs to meet fellow dogs during walks, we will also have to give up canine social interactions for a time in order to reduce the risk of contamination and the spread of the virus.
Let's be clear: our dog friends are at absolutely no risk because they cannot be infected with the SARS-cov2 coronavirus, nor shed the virus through their nasal secretions.And, to be perfectly clear: there is no risk of transmission from dog to human and vice versa!
But, as the virus is resistant for a few hours in the open air, your animal can end up with viral particles on its coat if it is in direct contact with infected people or their secretions and that, in the same way as on a door handle, a mobile phone screen etc
Also, basic precautionary measures are essential during each of your dog's hygienic walks:
- keep him on a short leash with you so that he doesn't end up near anyone who may be carrying the virus,
- when you meet someone during your dog's hygienic walks, keep a distance to respect a distance of at least 1 meter between you,
- don't let your dog come into contact with another dog (and all the more so if the other dog is on a leash because this risks generating a conflict between the animals and an obligation to contact),
- do not pet a dog that comes to you during your outing and ask people you meet not to touch your animal and to stay away,
- make sure your dog doesn't roll on the floor during his outing and/or walk in spit on the floor. If necessary, give him a shampoo as soon as you return from your walk.
More than ever during this epidemic period, be even more vigilant about individual hygiene measures. Always wash your hands with soap and water when you return from your outing and after any contact with your animal. During this period, also avoid kissing him and/or sleeping with him!
These simple barrier gestures free you from any risk of contamination.
Take your dog out but not far and not for long
Whenever possible, go out alone with your pet.
Limit your trips around your home, within a maximum radius of 1 km around it. Finally, during each of your outings, remember to bring your derogatory travel certificate in paper format, signed with the current date and annotated with the time you go out.