Buying Pet Supplies Online While Self-Isolating

If you're self-isolating at home, you may consider buying pet supplies online to avoid unnecessary trips to the store. But with so many people starting to shop online, shipping may take a little longer than usual — leading you to order everything you need, all at once.

Luckily, there's no need to worry about running out of the most important items that keep your pet healthy and happy if you stock up in advance. Here are some supplies to stock up on while you're home.

Food and Treats

Food is one of the most important items to have on hand when self-isolating, and that's as true for pets as it is for people. When you begin your pet supplies online order, make sure food is a priority. You never want to let your supply dip below 14 days of food in normal times, but when supplies are low and shipping times are lengthy, it's even more important to make sure your pet's food of choice is available. Keep in mind that other pet parents want to continue to care for and feed their pets too, so only stock up on as much as you need to be able to sufficiently kept them fed.

This is especially important as dietary changes may cause an upset stomach for your pet, which is the last thing you want if you're trying to avoid making trips outside of your home. Keep your pet's belly full by ensuring that their favorite meals are in stock at home.

And let's not forget about treats, either. If healthy treats are a part of your dog's diet, you'll want to make sure you have them on hand. Just remember to make sure you're not overfeeding your pet if you're home more often than you were before.

Medications

If your pet takes any medications, consider asking your veterinarian or pet pharmacy if you can fill a few months worth of the prescriptions at one time. You don't want to run low on your pet's medication and then have trouble accessing it later. Plus, shipping may take longer during social distancing, so it's better to have all necessary medications on hand.

Remember to order medications such as flea, tick and heartworm protection in advance, especially as some will require a prescription to get filled. You may be stuck in your home, but if your pet still has access to the outdoors, they'll need protection.

Potty Products

Your pet's need to use the bathroom doesn't change when self-isolating, so make sure you have everything you need to make them feel comfortable when relieving themselves during this time. If your pet is trained to use the litter box or potty pads when they need to "use the bathroom," you'll need litter and pads or else they won't know where to go, leading to accidents in the home.

If you're running low on dog waste disposable bags, make sure to add them to your cart. There may be fewer people out on your walks, but you're still responsible for picking up after your pet.

Cleaning Supplies

You may feel like you're going crazy if your couches and carpet are covered in cat hair or if your dog is tracking in mud all over your floors. And if your home has a litter box or potty pads in it, you already know how important cleaning supplies are for cleaning up messes and deodorizing smells. Stock up well in advance. Make sure to look for pet-friendly products.

Toys

Let's not forget some fun! If your routines have changed, your dog or cat may find themselves wanting to play more often now that you're home. They might be confused as to why you can't play with them all day long if you're working from home during the day. Buying a few new toys will help keep your pet entertained and energized, and you may be able to buy some time to get some work done while they're playing, too!

If you're buying these pet supplies online, it's smart to stock up so that you always have access to the items you use on a regular basis. But there is a difference between ordering what you need and hoarding items. Be considerate and purchase only what you need so that all pet parents will have access to the supplies their furry friends need in a time like this.