As the nation hoards loo roll and commits to staying indoors indefinitely, for us, times have never been more confusing and uncertain.
For cats, perhaps the most low-maintenance of our furry companions, it’s business as usual: prowling gardens for prey, drinking out of the watering can, and swatting at the energetic pup that just won’t leave them alone.
That doesn’t mean that they don’t need some extra TLC as the UK goes into lockdown.
It is impossible for our cats to comprehend the current state of the world, and with new restrictions put in place by the government, taking extra precautionary measures to care for our cats is a priority.
There are numerous articles on the internet answering questions and concerns surrounding dog care, but what about cats? They need feeding, exercise, and love just as much as pooches.
So what can you do for your feline friends during self-isolation? With information on caring for cats at this time being sparse, here are some of our tips on what you can do to ensure your tabbies are taken care of:
- If your cat loves the great outdoors, now is the time to place your own restrictions on how often they can leave the house. Unlike dogs who stay close to their owner’s side, cats adopt more independence whilst out and about, preferring to explore on their own. At the moment, this could be problematic as you can’t gauge where they have been, so try your best to keep them indoors for the time being and monitor them if they do go in the garden.
- Some cats love it, some cats hate it. Right now, no cat has a choice. Brush, comb and brush their fur again for good measure—ESPECIALLY if you can’t keep your cat indoors all day. If you don’t know where your cat has been, who knows what they’ve got their paws into. You want to make sure that there is no trace of the virus lingering on your kitty’s coat, so get the grooming kit out.
- In fact, whilst you’re brushing your cat, why not give their paws a scrub whilst you’re at it? It’s better to be safe than sorry!
- For those that live alone and are required to self-isolate, trying to keep a close eye on your cat could become worrying and stressful. By installing a pet camera, monitoring your cat becomes as easy as checking your phone regularly. We already feel a strain due to the current climate, but having a camera on hand will make you feel calmer, knowing your cat is safe.
- Caring for your cat during self-isolation also means taking care of yourself. Although they can’t contract the virus, droplets can stay on their fur, so regularly wash your hands for around two minutes with soap and water after handling your cat.
- Have fun! Some comic relief during difficult times never hurt anyone. You and your cat will be craving some exercise and distractions, so open up the toy box and tease your cat with their favourite mechanical mouse or jingly ball.
- Ensure that you have enough food and medical supplies for your cat to last for at least a week. If you are self-isolating, it may be some time before you can head to the supermarket to stock up again, so make sure you have necessities on hand.
Although this is a frustrating time, all we can do is take care of ourselves and our pets to the best of our abilities, give our cats some extra love and attention, and remain as optimistic as possible.
