COVID-19 Archives - Luv My Sitter

Professional Pet Sitters Week

Tracy Smith — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 00:58:28 +0000

The past year has been a roller coaster for everyone. Thanks to our clients, we were able to work through this turbulent time and ensure your pets are well taken care of. For Professional Pet Sitters Week, we want to highlight our pet sitting services and express our appreciation to our pack members for choosing us. We offer a range of pet sitting services from daily visits to overnight stays. For Professional Pet Sitter Week, we would like to highlight our pet sitter services. Check out these pet sitting services and find out why we are the professionals you can trust with your pet care.

What We Promise You

As Pet Care Professionals, we promise our clients top-quality pet sitting services for any pet, young or old. We specialize in special needs and medically necessary pet care so you can ensure your fur family is well taken care of. Our team of carefully selected pet care specialists are trained to be reliable and qualified professionals in the services they provide. Not only are they knowledgeable and insured, they are also ready to give all the love and attention to your pets.

We also recognize the importance of continuing to follow the safety recommendations of local state and federal health organizations. To provide the best quality of service during this pandemic, our protocols follow all local, state and federal guidelines. We are committed to our clients but also committed to the fight against Covid 19.

Daily Visits

One of our quick pet sitting services is our Daily Visits. These visits are quick stops we can make to your house if you’re running late, are busy, or just need a hand with your pet. You can count on one of our pet care professionals to stop by and give your companion the attention and care they need. We’ll make sure to give your pet all the belly rubs and snuggles so that you can complete your day guilt-free.

These daily visits, along with our other pet sitting services will follow our social distancing protocols. This includes, frequent handwashing, and cleaning of surfaces we came into contact with. We will also be wearing masks when appropriate and will ensure to provide you with the best service without the risk to anyone’s health. Please contact us if you have any additional questions about our safety protocols.

Kitty Care and Puppy Visits

For your cats and new additions to the family, we offer our Kitty and Puppy Visits. Puppies can be a handful and require extra attention in their formative years to make them good companions. Our specialists can help you keep a close eye on them when you’re out and ensure they get their energy spent with some mental stimulation and affection. Our pet care professionals can also help establish a routine for your new pup. This will give them consistency to any training you have started or plan to start.

Although cats are more independent creatures, they do need attention and affection. Our specialists can ensure your feline companion has company and someone to be with while you are away.

Companion Care

Our Companion Care is a step up from our daily visits. With this type of care, our pet care professionals visit your home several times. This ensures your fur family is cared for and in good health and mood. If you are gone all day, we recommend this service. It will give your fur companion a sense of security and companionship that they need for their overall well-being. Our specialists will provide psychological stimulation, physical activity, affection, and the daily needs in your pet’s routine.

Overnight Stays

If you’re going away for a more extended period, we recommend our Overnight Stay service. Our pet care specialists will stay the night with your pet so that they get the care and attention they need overnight and ensure they do not feel lonely. This service will bring you peace of mind knowing your pet is well cared for and not at home all alone. If you would like your pet checked in on during the day, you can add daytime visits to this service, and our specialists will be happy to stop by.

Additional Services

Our services are flexible and can be made to customize your individual needs. We aim to provide the best customer service to show you that your pet’s care is our number one priority. Additional services can be added to your benefit. We understand that doing the little things can make life so much easier through our years of pet sitting experience. Some of our additional pet sitting services include: text/email updates, oral medication administration, SubQ fluids and Insulin/Adequan injections. Other household chores like: litter box cleaning, mail and package retrieval/collection, trash disposal, and watering plants can also be requested.

Thank you for your business

We appreciate your business with us and would not be here without your support! Whether you are a new client or a pack member, we appreciate your trust and loyalty. Thank you for liking our social media pages, telling your friends and family, and spreading the good word about us. We promise to continue serving you and your pet with the best pet sitting service!

For Professional Pet Sitter Week, if you request a registration meeting today, you will get $25 off your next reservation. Use promo code LUV25 to claim this offer.

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I’m worried about being exposed to COVID-19. What should I do with my pet?

Tracy Smith — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 19:00:20 +0000

During this pandemic it is understandable for pet parents to be worried about their pets. Through all the uncertainty, our pets are an undeniable resource for love, joy and happiness. For many of us, our pets provide an unsurpassed a sense of comfort during these difficult times. What would we do if our pet became ill? Would they have to be taken away? Would they survive? Fortunately, there is a glimmer of good news. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) and other experts agree, there is no meaningful evidence that animals, including pets can become sick or spread COVID 19 to other animals, including humans.

With that said, here are our best recommendations for pet owners, who are worried about COVID-19 and their pet.

Stay at home – The best way to avoid becoming ill from COVID 19 is to avoid exposure. Staying home is one of the top 3 ways to avoid exposure. We all know how difficult it can be especially with a pet. Fortunately, there are safe ways to leave the house and walk our pets without risking exposure. By maintaining a safe social distance (6 feet) from other walkers and their pets, wearing a mask or facial covering whenever a safe social cannot be maintained, and washing your hands before and after handling your pet, their leash, collar and waste, you and your pet can enjoy a safe, productive outing. However, if you or someone in your home is feeling ill or you would simply prefer to stay home, hiring a qualified professional pet care provider like Luv My Sitter rather than leaning on a friend or relative is highly recommended during this time. The right professional pet care provider can be a valuable resource when it comes to keeping your family safe and providing your pet with the release they need.

Wash your hands often – thorough hand washing is a key defense against viral infections, including COVID 19. Although COVID 19 and other virus are highly contagious and wreak havoc inside the body, they are very fragile in the environment and easily destroyed with the proper use of soap and water. Washing your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds with soap and water is all that is required to destroy the COVID 19 virus. Since the protective structure of the virus is a fat layer, there has been discussion as to whether hot water works better than cold water when washing, but there have been no significant findings to establish a definitive difference. For an explanation on why soap works click here.

Keep your pet clean – Although experts agree that pets cannot spread COVID 19, it is best practice to keep your pets coat clean and wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your pet. Keeping your pets coat, food and water bowls, bedding and toys clean can help eliminate respiratory droplets from residing on unexpected surfaces. If you are unable to bathe your pet, Luv My Sitter or other qualified pet care provider may be able to help.
Avoid physical contact with those who are visually sick – COVID 19 is spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Because some people show no signs of illness it is possible for an infected person to be unaware they are infected and unknowingly spread the virus to others. Therefore, it is important to practice good physical hygiene and observe a healthy social distance until such time as we have more answers and can get the virus under control. More information on hand washing https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

If you become ill with COVID 19 it is not necessary to isolate yourself from your pet but it is suggested to practice precautionary measures when interacting with your pet. Do not share hug, kiss or share food or drink with your pet while you are sick. Having an establish a relationship with a qualified professional pet care provider can help you care for your pet while you recover and limit the threat of spreading the virus to others.

Don’t try to do too much – Between work, family, pets and the ever-tightening mandates, our plates seem to be fuller than ever. Juggling work, homeschooling, tending to the need of a spouse or child, caring for others, keeping the kids occupied along with our pets demands in addition to all our normal daily activities can be overwhelming. Trying to do too much right now, can lead to exhaustion and fatigue which weakens the immune system. Leaning on friends and family is tempting, but unfortunately, it’s not always the best option. Not only are they generally in the same boat when it comes to responsibilities, but we’re simply not as inclined to be vigilant when interacting. During this time of need, establishing a relationship with qualified pet care provider can help lighten your load and help in ways beyond caring for your pet. Qualified pet care providers such as Luv My Sitter are not only providing no contact pet care but also routinely offer concierge services which help you with every day errands like grocery shopping, pick up errands such as pet food or pet supplies, pharmacy or dry cleaning and much more. They can even take your pet to the vet if needed or help in emergency situations. The right pet care provider can lighten your load, eliminate undo stress and anxiety, reducing your likelihood of exposure and let you concentrate on work and family. Plus, you may just get the benefit of a calmer pet.

Our team at Luv My Sitter understands the challenges pet owners and their family members are facing with the current situation. Our unique medical focus can alleviate stress for you and create a support team for day-to-day life during and after these isolated times.

During the COVID-19 crisis our team of specialists will be here to make sure that your pet continues to get the love, exercise, and care it desires while you stay healthy and safe in your homes.

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We Support our Medical Workers for taking on COVID-19 to Help our Community

Tracy Smith — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Due to the widespread nature of COVID-19, we know that people holding medical positions are working extra long hours to prevent the spread of the virus and treating those that are in need. Extended hours with work may be necessary, but that also means extended hours away from your pet at home.

With 10 years of healthcare experience and over 20 years as a veterinary emergency and critical care nurse, I understand the stress on our medical workers experience can be intense, but they must also maintain a life at home, which means taking care of their pet. Often, their pets at home are patiently waiting to be fed and are becoming restless, bored, and hungry for anything they can find. The effects of these long working hours negatively affect the pets in the home and our job is to ensure that while you are at work, there are no worries happening in your home to be concerned about- especially if your pet has special needs or anxiety. We understand the struggle of having pets at home while working long hours and supporting the sacrifices made, so we can all stay safe and healthy.

We understand the sacrifices being made by those in the medical field and especially at hospitals and have compassion for their work and the stress they are going through. The well being and safety of a pet does not need to be one of them.

We support those in the medical field that are directly helping our community by being here to make sure your pet is walked, has companionship, gets a daily visit and play, or even if you just need a check on the home, we are here. Our specialists understand how to interact with pets in a therapeutic and medical setting (which includes sanitization), especially when there may be high stress and anxiety around. We are here to be the professional, calming, helping hand that lets you focus on the task of addressing this crisis, while keeping home calm for you and your pet.

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3 Tips for Working from Home With Your Pet

editor — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Working from Home is a Change, but How do we Handle our Furry Family Members? With the number of COVID-19 cases and changes that are occurring, we are aware of the challenges that come along. Not to mention how we are dealing with shelter in place, social distancing, on-line learning for our kids, and last, but not least, our pets. Now that many of us are working from home, our pets are wondering why all of a sudden all the activity in the home has vanished.

While we love our pets, they can certainly be a distraction from getting work and learning done when everyone is home. Our pets can make us feel guilty if we are not giving them the attention they deserve, so they are going to make sure your eyes go to them instead of work tasks. As we all know, pets need our attention to be calmed and working from home with your pet means balancing attention to workload, while showing the love for our pet.

1. Find a Balance

Due to shelter in place, the majority of workspaces, most of us have resorted to working from home. Working from home with your pet around can be challenging because we know those “puppy eyes” are oh so tempting and let’s not forget the out of the blue barking while on that video conference call. As if our attention isn’t enough, pets also need their exercise and their nutrition/special needs met.

The ‘balancing’ of workload and attention to a pet doesn’t always get balanced out as any pet lover knows. When on a call with coworkers at home, a puppy is a constant concern for the person on the phone. The backyard sometimes seems like a good option, but for our pets, it can become a problem, even to the point of them becoming territorial and causing a bigger problem.

2. Adjust to the Home New Space

With the recent adjustments many of us have working from home, our pets are also adjusting. Before, they may have had the house to themselves and a routine that was followed. With many now working from home, that impacts our pet’s routine. With work, no daycare services for our children, school assignments, all can be overwhelming for us and our pets and definitely require some getting used to. Since young children also need loads of attention and love, our pets can sometimes be put in a situation where they may not be getting their needs met.

When it comes to our pets, they want to have open space and interactions and in our current situation, that is not exactly the case. Especially during this time, some parts of the home may need to be rearranged to create a workspace, adding to the anxiety and changing the home space for our pets as well.

3. Keep our Pets (and Yourself) Enriched

With all the change going on in the home, making sure our pets are well taken care of is even more important. With the added stresses of today’s current environment, plus an animal that may be having anxiety with all the changes, keeping them active is important to reduce your anxiety, but theirs as well. Regular walking of your pet is one of many ways that you can reduce the stress and anxiety when working from home with your pet.

With Luv My Sitter, we are here to make sure that you and your pet are both adjusting to the ongoing changes. During this time of uncertainty, making sure your pet has an outlet that isn’t jumping on the back door to come in, barking on the conference call, or them experiencing the stress of the home, we offer a suite of services that cater to your needs. Especially during this shelter in place order, we are here to make sure your pets have a healthy and safe outlet.

Our “Fear Free” approach to our work is targeted towards making sure your pet has the best experience possible, while you have a piece of mind knowing your pet is being taken care of and given the exercise and attention they need in this time of change.

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Request for help: COVID-19 Update

Tracy Smith — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 11:44:01 +0000

With the current restrictions on work and travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many small businesses, including Luv My Sitter are feeling the impact. As you know, we are a small, local business that depends on our regular clients. While many businesses are undoubtedly affected by the current uncertainty, our services are uniquely impacted when travel plans are canceled or when office workers stay home. Our specialists and dog walkers who take such loving care of your pets are all affected by cancellations and reductions in service requests. Although we do everything we can to help our specialist through these times, we need your help, and we hope you’ll continue to support Luv My Sitter during this time.

Experienced Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Nurse

As a veterinary emergency and critical care nurse, I understand the concerns we are all feeling and have taken action to protect the staff, you and your pets during this COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to increasing our already strict safety protocols, I have implemented protocols to comply with social distancing recommendations.

Therefore, while we are exercising caution, we want to encourage you to continue to maintain your pet’s normal routine as much as possible. In the weeks and months to come, we will be spending much more time at home. It’s important to remember that exercise and mental stimulation are extremely important for dogs. It is our hope that you will continue to support Luv My Sitter by taking advantage of the many services we offer. In addition to dog walking and overnight care, we also offer:

Pooper Scooping – don’t let the yard become a mess. Luv My Sitter will come take this chore off your plate so you don’t have to worry.
Outdoor Hiking Adventures – your pet care specialist will take your pet on 60-minute hiking adventure at one of the nearby trails. Pets on outdoor adventures remain on leash unless previously certified recall reliable. Specialist adhere to strict no contact protocol.
Pet Transport – No need for pets to miss a much vet or specialist visit. We will pick up and return your pet home safely
Concierge Services – Our concierge services not only include food and medication pick up for your pets but also include services for our clients such as picking up dry cleaning, medications and other necessities. For as long as needed, our concierge service will expand to grocery shopping and take out delivery.

How You Can Support Our Small Business

The best ways to support us as we navigate this COVID-19 pandemic is by doing one or more of the following:

Continue your daily services
Make use of the other services we offer
Review us – if you feel we deserve a 5 star review we would appreciate it if you would post a review on Google, Yelp or rate us on Facebook. If we do not deserve a 5-star review, please let me know so I can ensure we deserve one in the future,

Whether it’s giving your pup the exercise and socialization they need, helping you create a quiet and productive work environment at home, or taking care of your furry family member so you can rest, our concierge, pet care and dog walking services are here for you and your pet(s).

If you have any additional questions about how you can help, our services, safety and sanitary procedures or other concerns related to coronavirus and COVID-19, please email info@luvmysitter.com or call the office at 512-215-9619.

Thank you for your support and understanding during this very difficult time and, as always, for allowing us all to care for your pets!

We sincerely appreciate your efforts to help us weather this storm and wish you the best of health.

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I’ve Been Sheltered in Place… and So Has My Dog?

Tracy Smith — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 20:31:30 +0000

As the most recent Coronavirus (COVID-19) progresses, it carries with it unprecedented effects on our lives. Because of these changes, our pets are also affected. In most cases (maybe there are a few exceptional super pets out there) a pet does not read the news and is unable to comprehend what is going on in our world today. They are unaware of shelter in place and are unsure of everything occurring around them.

In the midst of what appears to be everchanging information, recommendations and orders, we can be left with more questions than answers. Many pet parents find ourselves paralyzed by uncertainty. We want to do what is best for our pets, but we also want to protect ourselves and our family. The overload of conflicting, inaccurate or, even void of information, is not only confusing but frightening and results in a protective mental lockdown. For which, our pets pay the price. Too many pets find themselves confined inside or to the backyard.

As fellow pet lover, the team at Luv My Sitter understand and share in your concerns and are here to help you navigate these difficult times. As veterinary professionals, we have made it our priority to stay on top of local, federal, and international recommendations regarding the transmission of COVID 19 and the care of our pets. In adherence to those recommendations we have tightened our care and safety protocols to exceed the current recommendations in an effort to not only protect our clients, staff and their pets but also to stay ahead of any possible change.

During this turbulent time, it is as important as ever to safely maintain as much normalcy as possible. As the walls close in, we can become frustrated, bored and irritable. Just as we grow tired of the same books, movies and games, our pets grow tired of the same sights, smells and toys. Dogs are natural explorers and time outside the backyard is vital to their mental health and well being.The Center for Disease Control (CDC), The World Health Organization (WHO), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) all agree, whether we do it ourselves, or chose the right pet care professional, it is possible to respect Stay at Home mandates and still give our pets the exercise and attention they need.

The benefits of walking your dog extend far beyond this what can be written here, especially during these confining times. As always, the team at Luv My Sitter is here to help you navigate caring for your pets during this crisis.

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Can I get COVID 19 From my Pet?

Tracy Smith — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:04:58 +0000

As the number of Coronavirus cases grows, so does our knowledge about the virus. Since the spread of COVID 19 first began, pet parents everywhere have been asking “Do our pets carry Coronavirus?” This uncertainty coupled with the widespread nature of the virus and the increasingly strict guidelines being placed upon us, has left the pet community questioning if it is okay to even have contact with your pet.

The good, bad and ugly answer to the question is this:

The Good: infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The World Health Organization (WHO), and The American Veterinary Association (AVMA) agree, there is no evidence to indicate pets can get ill or spread COVID 19 to other animals, including humans. At last report, Idexx laboratories, a US based multinational corporation and global leader in veterinary testing, has conducted 4000 tests on dogs, cats and horses from US and Hong. None have tested positive for COVID 19.

The Bad: To date there have been 4 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in pets across the world; 2 dogs in Hong Kong and 2 cats, one in Belgium, the other in Hong Kong. In all cases, the pets were in the care of, and had close contact with, a person who was confirmed to have COVID 19.

The first pet to test positive was a 17-year-old Pomeranian with advanced cardiac disease in Hong Kong. The dog showed no apparent signs of illness. The dog was quarantined and subsequent tests were conducted throughout the course of the quarantine. Samples collected from the Pomeranian returned a weak positive, suggesting he may have been infected rather than just contaminated with the virus. The housemates, a dog and cat tested negative for the virus. Sadly, the Pomeranian passed away suddenly just 2 days after being released from quarantine. The sudden death has been attributed to the dogs advanced cardiac disease. The owner declined a necropsy.

The second pet to test positive was a 2-year-old German Shepherd in Hong Kong. The dog and his housemate (a 4-year-old dog who tested negative) were quarantined but neither showed no signs of illness or disease.

In late March, a cat from Belgium tested positive for SARS-CoV-19. The cat began to vomit, have diarrhea and respiratory distress just one week after the owner developed signs of the virus. The cat was not examined by a veterinarian. It recovered 9 days after the onset of the initial symptoms. Despite a significant virus level being detected in the cat’s samples and its clinical signs being suggestive of the virus, a clear determination as to whether the cat was indeed suffering from COVID 19 can not be determined. Unfortunately, information regarding the consideration and evaluation of other gastrointestinal and respiratory illness is unavailable. It is also unknown as to how the samples were collected (directly from the cat or off a contaminated surface such as the floor). Due to the combination of unknowns, a clear link to coronavirus cannot be established.

On April 1^st it was reported that a cat in Hong Kong had tested positive. The cat was quarantined but has shown no signs of illness,

The Ugly: The strain of coronavirus responsible for COVID 19 is most related to the virus responsible for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). This connection lead to virologists at the International Committee on Taxonomy and Viruses (ICTV – the entity responsible for naming viruses) to the virus’s official name, SARS-CoV-2. To avoid any unintended consequences in terms of unnecessary fear from certain populations, especially Asia who was hit hardest by the SARS outbreak in 2003, The World Health Organization (WHO – the entity responsible for naming disease), decided to refer to the virus as COVID-19 when communicating to the public.

The first infections of SARS- CoV-2 were linked to a live seafood and animal market located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Reports indicate SARS-CoV-2 appears to have its origins in bats but there is no documentation of a coronavirus virus being transmitted from bat to human without viral passage through an intermediate animal host. Although the precise mechanism of evolution is unknown, at least two theories have been proposed. The first has the virus evolving to its current state through a jump of natural section from a non-human host to human. The second suggests a viral jump from an animal host to humans, then evolving within the human to its current pathogenic state. Both theories are hypothetical and neither has been confirmed.

While further studies are need to determine the effect COVID 19 has on other animals, experts around the world continue to agree that there is no evidence supporting any claim that pets can become ill or spread COVID 19 to other animals, including humans. However, it may be possible for humans to transmit the virus to our pets. Therefore, until we learn more about this virus, if you are feeling ill, protect your pet.

Have another member of your household, a caregiver or qualified pet care professional care for your pet until you have been cleared by a medical professional
Limit contact with pet. Avoid petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sharing food, drinking vessels or bedding
If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wear a cloth face covering and wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

If you are confirmed to be ill with COVID 19 and feel your pet is sick, do not take your pet to the vet yourself. Call your veterinarian and let know them know you have COVID 19. Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet using alternative examination methods and determine the next steps for your pet’s treatment and care.

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COVID-19: Expecting Mothers and Pet Management

Tracy Smith — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:39:36 +0000

You’ve decorated the nursery, your shower went off without a hitch and then… COVID-19? Expecting mothers may juggle work, family, existing children, and self-care in a normal setting. Add in a global pandemic, and life goes off the rails. Add in a pet, and that makes for one stressed-out mom-to-be.

Sheltering-in-place sounds ideal for a pregnant woman, but that is often not the case. Quarantine can equate to a little one being sent home from daycare, side-by-side zoom calls with a stressed-out spouse, and managing the household. Anxious dad, anxious kid, anxious pet. Anxiety and pregnancy are medically advised against.

While we cannot provide medical advice for managing pregnancy, we can offer some practical advice on managing pets in your home during the current pandemic.

1. Do not try to do it all– Instacart is still running, Luv My Sitter is able to provide a vast variety of services for your pet, many restaurants are delivering. More than ever, leaning on outside service providers who are prepared to smartly manage risk is a good idea. Don’t forget Instacart and curbside services are getting backed up we can also provide grocery and errand services.

2. It is okay if your kids are not ready to handle pet care– If your child was not walking the dog or providing feedings, this might not be the time to coach them on pet care and safety.

3. If your pet is acting up, take a break- Pets get stir crazy. Humans get under each other’s skin. Setting up appointments to get a pet or child, out of the house can give you a chance to reset to calm.

4. Bring in help if you are anxious about health-Maintaining a healthy home ahead of your baby is a common goal for expecting mothers. During a pandemic, it is normal to be on high alert. A medically competent pet care provider will give you peace of mind and look for issues in the health and behavior of your pet.

5. Be ready for an emergency- Because of COVID-19, it may not be possible to bring in friends or family to pet sit if you go into labor. Similarly, friends and family may be less inclined to take in a pet while you and a birthing partner attend health-related visits outside the home. As not your doctor, midwife, or doula, having a pet care provider in place is one less thing to scramble around if the need arises.

6. Set a routine- In normal circumstances, preparing a pet for a new member of the family is a defined process that can be useful to avoid behavior issues and toss-ups when bringing home a baby. In the midst of uncertainty and anxiety, it can be useful to bring in a pro to help you to establish a new routine and correctly prepare your pets for baby.

7. Be shameless- When expecting, it is important to remember that your health, including mental health, comes first. If you are overwhelmed, ask for help. The sooner, the better.

Managing pregnancy and post-delivery during a shelter-in-place brings forward complexity. It also introduces the opportunity to better care for and understand your pets. While your hands are full or over-full, reaching out for help from a qualified team may provide you with the support you need when needed the most.

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What you need to know about the Coronavirus and your pet

Tracy Smith — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:47:00 +0000

Welcome to the Luv My Sitter COVID-19 (Coronavirus) site. Please consider this page as a resource for you and your family. We will also keep this page updated with important notifications to clients and members of the Austin community as circumstances change.

COVID-19 virus has rapidly changed the day-to-day life of members of the Austin community, as well as individuals and families around the globe. Our team has decided to continue to operate in order to support those in our community in this time of crisis and their pets.

Below are important tips from our team around the management and care taking of pets during a pandemic.

Coronavirus and the safeguards we have put in place to combat it have placed us all in an unprecedented situation. With the isolation of social distancing and the impending shelter at home, many of us are beginning to feel the effects of a restrictive lifestyle. Our pets are no different. As humans, we can rationalize and understand the reasons for the abrupt changes in our daily routine, sadly, our pets cannot. Radical changes in a pets’ routine, such as the ones we are experiencing now, may be seen by your pets as exciting and fun at first, but as days inch by and restriction continues and tightens, those feelings quickly turn into confusion and frustration for our pets. The lack of exercise and mental stimulation can quickly turn excitement and joy into boredom and anxiety. Here are a few ways to survive with your pets’ well-being intact:

Keep or hire a dog walker

Dogs are, by nature, curious explorers. The sights, sounds, and smells of the world beyond our house offer a much-needed stimulation and help to prevent destructive, bored, and related behaviors like barking and/or inappropriate chewing. Plus, time outside the home opens up your dog to new experiences which is essential for continued socialization. Dog walks are not the only exercise but walks provide a much-needed structure for your pet. Dog walking services are allowed during shelter at home but precautionary measures must be maintained. Therefore, it is of best practice to choose a dog walker that is not only experienced but has a medical background and understands the importance of hygiene and sanitation. Our specialists are highly trained. We have already established protocols for safety in place, but understand the nuances and how to properly execute them. There may be anxiety about this option, but it is more important to know that due in part to the porous nature of their fur, domestic animals such as dogs and cats have not been reported to be a viable contributor to the spread of Coronavirus. Infectious disease experts in multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence, at this point, indicating that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they will spread it to other animals or people.

Designate playtime with your pet

Regular games of fetch and even training sessions are great ways to keep your pup in shape. Animals share our social nature. Playtime satisfies their need for interaction in ways far beyond those achieved by laying on the couch being pet. Try to use this playtime with just you and your pet and limit the interactions with other pet parents and their pets.

Keep your pets’ routine

Many pet parents know that pets thrive on routine. Whether it’s waking us up in the morning, staring out of the window when we come home, letting us know it’s dinner time, or holding down their favorite spot in the house- pets have an undeniable routine. Acknowledging and adhering to this routine during this restrictive period is an important step to help reduce stress or anxiety your pet may be experiencing.

Keep a close eye on your pets’ diet

With the whole family at home but parents having to continue to work, it’s easy to lose track of what our pets are eating. Increased table droppings, training treats, and lack of exercise can cause your pet to put on unwanted pounds. Fortunately, there is an easy solution for even the busiest adult. Prepare a container with the pets’ designated allotment of food and treats. The container won’t help with the table droppings but it will eliminate the overfeeding of treats and accidental extra meals. Opting for healthier treat alternatives like apple slices, carrots, and green beans (especially frozen, they will love them!) will not only help to keep the weight of your pet under control but will add vital nutrients to their diet: not to mention, being a lot cheaper than a typical bag of commercial treats.

Do not allow your pet to do their business indoors

Several national news organizations have printed stories instructing pet owners to place newspaper or commercial pee pads down and “cueing your pet do their business in the corner of your room.” Do NOT do this! Not only is this confusing for your dog, but it creates long term consequences that will be difficult to reverse and lead to messes in the house.

Do not depend on the backyard alone

Simply placing your dog in a backyard is not sufficient enough to provide proper exercise. The vast majority of dogs will not engage in self-play when just being placed in the backyard. More often than not, you will find your pet laying in their favorite spot. Many pet owners misinterpret their dogs’ backyard behaviors. Dogs who run the fence line, bark at neighboring dogs or people walking by are not entertaining themselves, they are in fact exhibiting territorial behaviors directly related to boredom, stress, and anxiety. As we know, even the best home fitness center and an endless supply of favorite books and TV shows will get boring after awhile. The same goes for our pets.

Do not keep your dog with you 24/7

For pet lovers, getting to spend countless hours with our pets is a dream come true but we have to remember this situation is temporary. Keeping our dogs by our side all day and night can cause a previously content dog to develop separation anxieties once their owner resumes their normal routine.

COVID-19 and the safeguards we have put in place to combat it have placed us all in an unprecedented situation. With the isolation of social distancing and the impending shelter at home, many of us are beginning to feel the effects of a restrictive lifestyle. Our pets are no different. As humans, we can rationalize and understand the reasons for the abrupt changes in our daily routine, sadly, our pets cannot. Radical changes in a pets’ routine, such as the ones we are experiencing now, may be seen by your pets as exciting and fun at first, but as days inch by and restriction continues and tightens, those feelings quickly turn into confusion and frustration for our pets. The lack of exercise and mental stimulation can quickly turn excitement and joy into boredom and anxiety. Here are a few ways to survive with your pets’ well-being intact:

Keep or hire a dog walker

Dogs are, by nature, curious explorers. The sights, sounds, and smells of the world beyond our house offer a much-needed stimulation and help to prevent destructive, bored, and related behaviors like barking and/or inappropriate chewing. Plus, time outside the home opens up your dog to new experiences which is essential for continued socialization. Dog walks are not the only exercise but walks provide a much-needed structure for your pet. Dog walking services are allowed during shelter at home but precautionary measures must be maintained. Therefore, it is of best practice to choose a dog walker that is not only experienced but has a medical background and understands the importance of hygiene and sanitation. Our specialists are highly trained. We have already established protocols for safety in place, but understand the nuances and how to properly execute them. There may be anxiety about this option, but it is more important to know that due in part to the porous nature of their fur, domestic animals such as dogs and cats have not been reported to be a viable contributor to the spread of COVID-19. Infectious disease experts in multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence, at this point, indicating that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they will spread it to other animals or people.

Designate playtime with your pet

Keep your pets’ routine

Keep a close eye on your pets’ diet

Do not allow your pet to do their business indoors

Do not depend on the backyard alone

Do not keep your dog with you 24/7

Pet parents need to consider the big picture during this time of crisis- every action has its consequences. How we react to this situation we are now in will set the course for what is to come. Do not let a temporary situation create long term issues with your pet! Following these simple steps will help maintain and even enlighten your experience as a pet owner and for your pet as well.

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