5 Ways to Ensure Your Pet’s Safety

5 Ways to Ensure Your Pet’s Safety

The statistics on pet loss and theft are appalling and downright scary. That you could be running into the building to drop off dry cleaning only to come back outside and find you beloved dog gone is absolutely heart wrenching. Not only is pet theft cruel to the owners, the animal will also be scared being in a new surroundings. It will take a toll on them. It is up to the pet owners to ensure the safety of the animals is addressed with precision. That nothing is left to chance. 

Restrain

It is nice to take a stroll with your dog or cat without having to struggle with the leash. However, think about this. Dogs can get very distracted very quickly by the faintest scent. They will scamper off in search of the source only to realize much later that they are far from home with no earthly idea of how to get back. Meanwhile, you are beside yourself with worry because your dog will not answer your calls. 

Leash train the animal. Teach them that a leash is not a prison. This will ensure that they do not struggle to get out of it when fastened. They will learn to enjoy the walk while on a leash. Before the animal is trained, a harness can be used. As an animal twists and pulls on the collar, pressure is exerted on the trachea and he or she can suffer injury. A harness is kinder to the trachea and is fastened across the chest. It will mitigate the pulling problem and is escape proof. 

Instill the ‘come’ Command

This equips the animal with the ability to abandon the endeavor when the owner calls. The ‘come’ command is an essential tool in pet safety. You can use a professional to instill the lessons or you can do it at home gradually and with lots of love in a safe and familiar environment. 

The first method has the dog on a leash with you holding one end. Utter the ‘come’ command then start to move backward. Keep moving until the animal catches up with you. Say- Yes! – exuberantly then hand the animal a treat. Repeat this a few times until the animal relates obeying the command with a good outcome. 

The second method involves a long training leash and an assistant. Install the leash then have the assistant stand behind the dog with hands on the chest. Dangle a treat in front of the animal’s nose then run a few feet. Utter the command then encourage by clapping and other positive reinforcement. Do not repeat the command. Wait until the animal comes then give him or her treat. Repeat until the lesson is ingrained. 

After the basic part has been successfully learnt, you can move to trying to hide in different rooms of the house then commanding the animal to come find you. This way they are able to only follow the sound of your voice. This would be handy in the scary situation described above where they scamper off on a distraction. The more the animal learns, the harder you can make the quests. Make it an enjoyable game for the animal rather than a chore. 

Safe at Home and Out

The home must be safety proofed as much as possible. The gate must always remain latched and the fence inspected. A small tear on the fence could be used by the animal to gain exit. If these conditions are not satisfactorily contained, ensure supervision is accorded every time the pet is out in the yard. Some animals can climb, in that case have the fence tilt at a 45° angle at the top. Some animals can dig and pass under the fence. Just put large rocks at the base or install chicken wire with the sharp prods facing inwards. 

Some people like to take their pets with them when they are out and about running errands. Some establishments do not allow pets so the option remains to leave the animal in the car. Well, when you are held up in the queue the car can get uncomfortably hot for the animal. You also run the risk of losing the animal to theft. 

There are safer alternatives like using the drive thrus. These kinds of establishments are popping up everywhere offering all kinds of services now. You can also bring a friend to play with the animal while you are running the errands. There is also an option of choosing to visit only pet friendly stores while out with your furry friend. How about an outdoor eating establishment for the lunch hour? You could also try to find a day care center of sorts that will take the pet for a few hours. You are assured of safety while he or she is around other animals and animal care professionals. If all these are not possible, leave him or her at home. As long as you are not staying out for too long, it is okay to let the animal have some alone time. 

When travelling with the animal, most especially a cat, you might require a carrier. A carrier should be the right size, material and should have buckles. It should not be introduce on the travel day for the first time either. It should be left around the house to develop familiarity. Treats should also be offered if the animal shows curiosity like if he or she rubs against it. 

Reduce the Urge to Wander

Neutering will ensure the animal will not go in search of a mate. You should have a veterinary professional handle this part as it is a delicate procedure. 

You should also identify the animal’s phobias. What drives the animal nuts? What makes them run and hide in fear? Is it loud noise from the thunderstorm? Once you know what scares him or her, you can engage a professional and have them desensitize the animal. Also, take note of the areas of the house that the animal likes to run to. Where does he or she hide when they are scared? Make those places comfortable and accessible for the animal. You could also arrange for a spot in a windowless bathroom for especially scary nights. A snuggle is always nice too. Let them know you can protect them. The bond is calming and will grow stronger. 

Involve Technology

There is a lot to gain from attaching a tracking device on your furry friend. In the old days, showing a picture around town worked but now people do not care about your plight. However, technology will always be trusty. Most pet trackers weigh close to nothing and will therefore not bother the animal. They are also waterproof or water resistant thus decreasing the chances of hazy signal on a rainy day. Another thing is to get a tracker whose signal will not suffer interruption due to tall buildings. Animal will not always wander off in the wild. 

In addition to these qualities, you should try to find a tracker that observes the highest possible level of accuracy. The material should also be durable. The latching mechanism must be sturdy. You should ensure there is no chance t will snap off as the animal is enjoying the adventure. 

Extra battery life is a well-needed plus. Most trackers have an average battery life of 2-5 days. However, you have to keep in mind that the tracker will be using GPS, which is power draining. Getting a tracker that has extra life even by a little bit ensures you find your pet before battery dies off. In the same spirit, a health monitor is an excellent feature. You need to know if your pet is in good health at all times. You will need to know if there is need for medical practitioners in the search party. 

Forget about the expense and look at the value. Lucky, animal lovers have posted pet tracker reviews all over the internet. You should take time to study all or most of the reviews so that whatever tracker you pick will be the one that provides the most value.