In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, what behavior to adopt with your dog or cat? Is it safe to pet him? Should it be washed after every walk? ANSES (National Agency for Food, Environmental and Labor Safety) published an opinion on 9 March 2020.
To avoid any contamination, Anses recommends:
separating animals from sick or suspected sick persons;
do not let the animal lick your face;
wash your hands before and after stroking your pet;
do not clean your pet with inappropriate products. The use of products that are unsuitable (bleach, etc.) or even aggressive to the animal can be equated with real abuse. It can harm your pet, you and those around you. An animal-friendly product such as a veterinary shampoo should be used.
It is not necessary to wash an animal that goes out for a walk.
FYI
during the lockdown, it is possible to go out with your dog to meet your needs or for a visit to the veterinarian. This may be the annual visit or an urgent visit which cannot be postponed and decided by the veterinarian on the basis of information provided by the owner of the animal.
Please note
The adoption of animals is possible during confinement provided that a few rules are followed:
the animal must be selected upstream at the SPA or refuge site;
an appointment is made with the shelter which issues a paperless certificate with the schedule of the appointment;
the applicant for adoption must travel alone and carry, in addition to the attestation of the refuge, a derogation travel attestation for