Your new pet wastes little time and becomes a beloved member of your family. However, just like young children, pets also have significant responsibilities and rely on their human caretakers to ensure their safety.
Just like humans, pets are susceptible to illness and injury. The Pet Poison Hotline reported a 51 percent increase in calls between 2020 and 2021. At Banfield Pet Hospital, the number of pet visits in 2020 increased by approximately 500,000 compared to 2019. Additionally, Dogstar reports that 47 percent of pet owners have had to deal with this problem. Anyone who had a serious medical problem or brought their pet to an emergency room in 2021.
Keeping your beloved pet safe in and around your home is no easy task. However, with some effort, it is possible to ensure the health and well-being of your companion animal. Follow these tips courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Old Farm Veterinary Hospital, and Security.org.
Consider indoor and outdoor security camera systems. If you keep an eye on your pet while you’re out, you’ll be able to respond quickly if something happens. Avoid leaving pet food outside overnight. Depending on where you live, dog and cat food may attract other animals such as bears, raccoons, foxes, and possums. Wild animals are used to being fed easy meals, and this may reduce anxiety when they are near your home or garden. Avoid encounters between pets and wild animals at all costs. Avoid retractable leashes. Walking your pet on a non-retractable leash will give you better control over your pet if you encounter people or other animals. Be careful with chemicals. Also think carefully about the chemicals you use in your garden, such as pesticides and herbicides, and the cleaning products you use indoors. Pets can become sick if they ingest or inhale these products. Please be careful as there is a risk of suffocation. Strings, small pieces of toys, rawhide bone fragments, and other items can be choking hazards for pets. Be careful to remove these items from the floor to prevent your pet from swallowing them. Tap the hood of your car. Families who allow their cats outside should tap the hood of their car when it’s cold outside. Cats may take shelter near warm engine blocks. Starting your car while your cat is under the hood can cause injury. Stay up-to-date on vaccinations. Always vaccinate your pet against common parasites and other pests, even if your pet does not go outdoors or is free to roam. Microchip your pet. A microchip not only protects your pet if it gets lost, but it can also help track down animals that may have been stolen. Remember to keep your microchip data up to date to ensure a quick recovery. Keep food and medicines out of reach. Many human foods can be toxic to pets, as can medications kept in the home. Pets are curious and having easy access to these items can cause serious illness.
Pet owners need to take important steps to protect their pet’s health.
