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During lockdown, your pets at home will feel the changes and may be stressed because their daily routine is being upset.

Animals can be stressed by changes in routine, and since most people are working from home it is advisable to try keeping close to normalised routine possible.

Animals, especially cats, may find the extra activity and noise with more people constantly at home stressful.

Owners must make sure the animals have places to hide away if they want to and that they still have easy access to their food, water, and litter trays.

If you are concerned about your pet’s health while you are self-isolating, do not break your quarantine but rather call your vet and ask for advice.

The services will be able to work and ensure pets receive the care they need.

Minimise contact with animals other than your own at this time, just in case you may be carrying the virus.

Information for dog owners

You need to think about whether you can manage your dog’s toileting and exercise needs while you are in self-isolation.

Specific advice is given for different situations below.

If you live in a private house, it is safe for you to go into your garden or courtyard.

If you live in an apartment or are staying in a hotel, it is also safe for you to go into the garden but you should:

• wear a surgical mask to minimise risk to others

• stay two metres from other people

• move quickly through common areas.

Information for cat owners

Keeping your cat safe at home will avoid risks to them, such as traffic accidents, fights with other cats and injury by dogs.

If your cat is injured and requires veterinary treatment, this may put you and veterinary staff at risk of virus spread which could have been avoided.

Aim to contain your cat to your house or property – it may not be as difficult as you think.

Start by having all the necessary supplies to keep your cat safe and happy at home; for example, litter trays, litter, food and water bowls, feeding toys, regular toys, hiding places, scratching posts etc.

Be prepared to spend plenty of time with your cat, enjoying cuddles, play time and just being together.

If your cat roams and you cannot contain them to your property even now, make sure they are wearing a collar and tag with your current contact details, and minimise direct physical contact with them.

If you have a cat other than your own visit you, we advise you (whether you are in self-isolation or not) that if the visiting cat has a collar and tag, please do not feed the cat if they look in good condition.

If the cat appears hungry, underweight and/or sick, then do consider feeding the cat by leaving food outside.

Try to contact the owner, or the local vet or animal care organisation if the owner cannot be contacted or there is no collar and tag on the cat.

Information supplied by Johannesburg SPCA.