Stay stocked up on your pet’s medication and pet supplies during times of crisis

11th May 2020

It can be hard to keep stocked up on essentials for your pet during a lockdown. Here we take a look at how to make sure your pet has everything they need.

When you can’t get to the vet, pharmacy or supermarket due to a lockdown or social distancing rules, and pet shops have closed their doors due to the current crisis, where are you going to source supplies for your pet from?

Online shopping could be the answer, but delays in shipping or a lack of certain supplies due to a temporary stop on imports or production could scupper this option.

However, with careful planning, and resisting the urge to stockpile supplies, which could make it hard for other people to access them, you can ensure your pet has everything they need.

Medical prescriptions

It is possible to get your pet’s medical prescriptions and supplies delivered direct to your door by ordering them online. Many hospitals have established partnerships with fulfillment organizations that will ship your pet’s medication and prescription diets. You can also contact your vet directly to find out if they are offering ways for medical and pet supplies to be ordered online.

If you’re able to get out to a pharmacy, another option, depending upon availability, for your pet’s medical prescriptions is to either take in a written prescription from the veterinarian or have your vet call in your pet’s prescription for you to pick up. To avoid having to visit the pharmacy, you could find out if they offer delivery, which may incur a small delivery fee.

Some medical prescriptions may still need to be picked up from your veterinary practice or your vet may be able to deliver them directly to you. If your pet needs to be seen by a vet before medication is prescribed, there are many veterinary practices that will allow your dog to still be seen through a curbside concierge service wherein the pet is picked up while you remain in the car, so that you avoid close social contact with the veterinary team.

Pet supplies

Pet supplies are a little less hassle to come by than medication, but careful planning should still be exercised. List what your pet will need over the next few months and make sure you know where you’ll be able to buy the supplies from. This ensures that you have the foresight to order the correct amount, allowing for any delays in shipping.

Stick to purchasing your pet’s regular food or litter type to avoid upset stomachs or misuse of the litter tray. This might mean that you have to pay a bit more for your pet’s supplies than you usually would if you have to source them from a different to supplier. When ordering essential supplies, considering ordering some new toys for your pet at the same time to keep them entertained during the lockdown. Try to ensure that you have a minimum of 30 days’ worth of supplies for your pet to avoid running out.

If you’re ordering more food than you usually do, make sure you have the means to store it in sealed containers so that it doesn’t go stale. If you have a cat or small dog, serve your pet’s food in a Microchip Pet Feeder that has a sealed lid and prevents other pets stealing food. This stops the food supply diminishing too quickly and ensures none of your pets eat more than their fair share which could lead to obesity or medical problems.

This blog post was written in collaboration with certified trainer, behavior consultant and the lead trainer for Fear Free Happy Homes, Mikkel Becker, CBCC-KA, CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA.