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Dogs and cats do not transmit the new coronavirus, but they must be quarantined and have up-to-date pet hygiene

Edited and resized image by Autri Taheri is available on Unsplash

Knowing how to properly clean your pet it is essential to keep his health up to date, whether cat or dog. To find out how best to care for your pet, the eCycle portal interviewed the veterinarian Eduardo Ferreira Serafim. Check out:

Portal eCycle: Eduardo, how should we bathe a dog? And cat?

how to bathe the dog

Eduardo: The dog must bathe every 15 days. A weekly exception should be made only for those animals that have skin diseases or that have gotten dirty in parks. The bath should be given with warm water and a specific saponifying agent for dogs. Ideally, a veterinary consultation is carried out to identify which is the best product to use on the animal in question.

Before starting the dog bath, it is necessary to cover the ear canal with a clean cotton to avoid inflammation in the ear, known as otitis. After massaging the animal's leather wet with soap (taking care not to get soap in the eye or water in the ear), it is necessary to rinse well and start drying.

First, use a towel (for the dog's only use) to remove the excess and, preferably, let the animal dry in the sun. If it's not sunny, dry it with a blow dryer (taking care not to burn the leather of the pet ) keeping the cotton in the ear in the case of fearful animals.

After drying, remove the cotton and avoid perfumes as they can cause allergic reactions. After this step, preferably, brush the hair with a soft brush and suitable for this.

How to bathe the cat

It is not recommended to bathe cats, as they have their own hygiene habits that are sufficient to maintain the necessary cleaning. On the other hand, it is necessary to periodically brush the hair. If possible, every day for five minutes in long-haired animals. Short-haired animals can be brushed weekly. However, in some exceptions, if the cat is very dirty or injured, it is necessary to give it a bath. In the case of cats that go out on the street, you can choose to use wet wipes for pets .

The care during the bath is the same as for the dog. Cover the ear with cotton, massage the fur with warm water and a specific saponifying agent for cats. Rinse well and remove excess water with a cat towel. Let the animal dry in the sun, or dry it with a blow dryer. In the latter case, keep the cotton in your ear if the cat is afraid of the noise of the dryer.

Portal eCycle: How should the post-walking hygiene be done in the case of dogs? How are the tours in the context of the new coronavirus?

Eduardo: After the tour, you can use baby wipes for pet , carefully to avoid moisture in the paws. What few people know is that dogs sweat through cushions (paws), which can cause the accumulation of moisture leading to a picture of fungal pododermatitis, the famous chilblain. How to avoid? Carrying out the hygienic grooming of long-haired animals, and cleaning the paws with a wet handkerchief after the walk.

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In the context of the new coronavirus pandemic, the ideal is to avoid the animal leaving the street. If it comes out, wash it with soap and water. But remember that great care must be taken to avoid dampness in the ear and cushions. The animal cannot bathe every day. So avoid going out on the street. Try to distract him at home with exercises and games.

Portal eCycle: Is the use of shoes harmful to the dog?

Eduardo: Some tutors put little shoes in their pets . This habit emerged in cold countries to protect the paws from contact with ice.

Brazil is a country with a tropical climate, and it is not recommended to put shoes on dogs. This habit is harmful, as it impedes the circulation of air in the paw, which can cause pododermatitis, already mentioned. In addition, the shoe changes the footstep angle of the animal, which can cause locomotor disorders.

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Videos of animals stepping wrong tend to get a lot of views on the internet, as some people find it funny. But it's not funny, it's harmful to the animal.

Some tutors justify the use of shoes by claiming to protect the paw from the heat of the sidewalks. But the ideal is to avoid going out during peak solar hours.

eCycle Portal: Do the eyes need hygiene? How should it be done?

Eduardo: The eyes of cats and dogs only need to be cleaned if there is excess secretion or injury.

It is recommended to use saline solution or filtered water, with moist cotton. Do not use gauze. Lubricating eye drops can also be used in cases of very dry eyes, which is common in dogs of brachycephalic breeds, popularly known as "dogs without a snout". If this is the case for your pet , carry out a veterinary consultation to find out which is the ideal product for him.

Portal eCycle: Is it necessary to perform hygiene after defecation or urination?

Eduardo: It is necessary to clean with a wet handkerchief suitable for pets long-haired animals where accumulation of dirt is more common. To avoid this scenario, it is recommended to carry out a hygienic grooming.

In extreme cases, it is necessary to bathe. Animals that are sick or have difficulty in walking, or that end up lying in their urine or feces, also need to be sanitized with a wet handkerchief.

eCycle Portal: What about teeth hygiene? How should it be done?

Eduardo: It is necessary to get used to the pet from puppies to handling the oral region. Start with the finger brushes. But remember that they don't clean, they're just for the adaptation phase.

The ideal is to use a brush for veterinary use. The cleaning must be done daily with specific paste for the pet . In this way, the tutor avoids tartar and periodontal diseases.

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Portal eCycle: Is it true that pets do not transmit coronaviruses?

Eduardo: It has already been notified that the new SARS-Cov 2 species coronavirus does not host within the organism of pets . However, quarantine is for everyone, as just as viruses can survive for some time in clothing or utensils, they can also stay in the animal's fur or paws.

Avoid leaving the house, both you and your pet. Look for activities to expend the energy of the pet at home (in the case of dogs, as cats will probably be sleeping).

If by chance the animal goes out on the street, give it a bath. Furthermore, it is extremely important to avoid touching the animal without washing your hands. The ideal is to wash your hands whenever you remember.

The animal that is quarantined indoors is as clean as the guardian.

eCycle Portal: Do animals' utensils also need hygiene?

Eduardo: The feed and water pots should be washed daily with soap and water. Preferably, reserve a vegetable loofah for this purpose only. The bed should be washed whenever the animal takes a bath.

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To eliminate odors and disinfect your cat's litter box, empty it, wash the container with soap and hot water, then carefully spray with hydrogen peroxide (oxygenated water). Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing and dry thoroughly.

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