Owning a pet is both a fun journey and a difficult one at times. You’re responsible for a whole other being! Pets aren’t like humans — they can’t talk and tell you when something’s wrong. While they might bark, meow or even squawk at you to try to alert you, the truth of the matter is that you really never know what’s wrong. Most pet owners would agree that if they could have one thing, it would be the ability to understand their pet’s voice. When you can’t communicate, it can be tough trying to keep them safe. However, there are some things you can do to ensure your pets’ safety. Here are some of the top everyday pet safety tips you can start following.
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Get them a collar, tag and leash. This is especially true if you own a dog or a cat. Any pet owner that has an animal who could potentially go outside should have those three items on hand. It’s probably one of the easiest and most common pet safety tips you’ll find. A reflective best dog collars can help them be seen at night, a silicone pet tag is noiseless so you don’t hear them zooming around the house and a weatherproof leash will come in handy for every day.
Even if you think your dog doesn’t need one, a collar and tag can mean a life or death result for your pet. In the event your pet gets lost or runs away, anyone who finds them will easily be able to reunite you with them if you take the time to keep all your contact information updated. Consider getting a pet ID tag QR code that stores all the information without you worrying about crowding up a dog tag. Instead, all the info will be safely stored on the web that anyone can access simply by scanning the code.
Use window and door screens. If you live in a mild climate area, you probably like to open your windows or your back door. While this is great for homes without pets, homes with pets will benefit from having screens installed on both your windows and doors. This way, you can keep them open for the breeze and fresh air, but you don’t have to worry about your pet getting loose. There are other benefits to screens, too, such as keeping bugs and critters out, but the main one is that it will keep your furry friend happy, healthy and safe in your home. Plus, they’ll be able to sit in front of the open door or window to feel the breeze!
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Sweep and mop your floors. Pets are curious creatures. And, while we enjoy spending time in the kitchen, it usually means we’re leaving somewhat of a mess behind. Crumbs, sauce splatter, onion pieces and even grease specks can make their way to the floor of your kitchen. And, if you’re not careful, your pet could ingest anything that ends up on your kitchen floor. This is true especially in homes that have an open floor plan with easy access to the space. There are lots of human foods out there that are toxic to pets, so doing your part to keep your floors clean by sweeping and mopping regularly is just one of the many ways you can keep your pet safe.
Put small items away. Whether you organize them in a closet, use boxes with lids or put canvas totes in cubbies, putting small items away is another way you can keep your pet safe. While you might think simply putting smaller items on a shelf higher up will deter your pet, that doesn’t usually work for cat owners. Since cats like to climb and jump, smaller items that could present a choking hazard belong safely tucked away so your furry friends — especially your felines — don’t end up choking on them. There are lots of fun ways you can organize your items to look great, find them easily and keep your pet safe.
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Update their microchip info. If your pet is microchipped, one of the easy things you can do is keep your contact info updated. Since microchips aren’t GPS locators, just an information chip, having an accurate phone number and address on file with your microchip company can make a huge difference in how long it takes you to reunite with your pet if they run away or get lost. While the goal is that you never need to use the microchip, shelters and vet staff will be able to scan your pets’ microchip to contact you much more quickly if all the information is accurate and up to date.
Only feed them food your vet authorizes. Sure, you’ve probably seen all those articles on the web talking about foods your pet can eat that you didn’t know about. And, while that may be true in some cases, you can never know for sure. Your best bet is to only feed your pet the food your vet authorizes for them to eat. Some vets even have a list of human foods that your pet can enjoy, so if alternative diets are something you want your pet to start eating, your safest option is to speak with the professional. This way, you can safely feed your pet some fun treats and surprise snacks without running the risk of harming them. You, your dog and especially your vet will be very thankful you thought to check in with them first!
While keeping your pet safe might seem like a daunting job, there are a few everyday things you can do that aren’t high-stress and won’t take a lot of time. Your pet may not be able to understand everything you say or do, but they will recognize that you’re taking care of them and keeping them safe. For that, they’ll be eternally grateful to you!
Ozell is the cat whisperer you’ve been looking for. She’s passionate about feline friends and offers purr-fect advice on everything from health to playtime.
