Pet Anxiety & Tips for a Safe Pet Home
Here in Wildcat country, we take pet ownership seriously. In fact, Kentucky ranks 3rd across all other states in households with dogs, and 7th in households with cats! Chances are high that if you have a pet in your home, you consider your “fur baby” as a part of the family. Who wouldn’t? A family pet often imbues a home with happiness, health, and positive energy. Are you doing everything to return the favor? The chaos of life can oftentimes lead to oversights when it comes to the safety and security of our furry friends. There are a lot of potential health hazards for dogs and cats you may not even be aware of!
Fortunately, with a bit of information, home preparation, and home security, keeping them healthy and happy is a breeze! Here are some important pet safety tips to follow in your home!
Treating Pet Stress and Anxiety
Sure, it might sound a bit silly, but pets suffer from stress and anxiety too! Like people, your pet gets used to routine and when that routine changes, pets can feel similar emotions to a human. The birth of a new baby, moving to a new home or even forgetting to leave a light on for your pet can potentially cause stress, anxiety and depression, especially for dogs. Stress and anxiety can have severe impacts on the health of your pets, such as digestion trouble, heart and liver complications, and increased levels of aggression.
How can you keep your pet happy and stress free? Create a safe and comfortable place for your pet to retreat to if they are feeling overwhelmed, make sure you provide them outlets for exercise, and keep them on a healthy diet. Plenty of medication options are also available, which your vet can recommend if necessary.
Keep a Toxin Free Environment
Both dogs and cats have some bad habits when it comes to chewing or eating things they shouldn’t. Fortunately, common targets such as toilet paper or newspaper won’t harm them. However, fairly common household objects and cleaners can be quite poisonous if ingested by your pets! Plastic water bottles, wood and hard plastic objects are a few items to clear before leaving a room.
There are many common plants and flowers that are toxic to pets, such as lilies and aloe vera plants. For indoor pets, the solution to this can be to simply place the plants out of reach or to find a place for them outside. If your pets frequently roam around outside and have access to any toxic plants, you should remove them from your yard immediately.
Collars and Micro-chipping
Even if you have a fenced in yard or a pet that stays indoors, having multiple forms of identification on them is important. If your cat slips out one day or if your dog gets out of your fencing, a collar and a microchip are the best ways of making sure they are found and returned. On every collar you should include basic information, such as your address, phone number, and the name of the pet. A microchip is also a great form of identification! It is a small device, no larger than a grain of rice, that can be inserted under the skin of your pet and will provide any shelter or clinic the ability to ID the pet and assist in getting your fur baby back home.
Research Toys and Treats
Just because a toy or treat is marketed for your pet doesn’t mean it is healthy for them! If the product is made out of country, the health standards and potential effects of some materials or foods may not be placed at a very high standard. Always set aside some time to research whether or not the product you are providing your pet with is safe. While you’re at it, research what human foods you should avoid giving them! Allowing your pets to dig in to leftovers may seem like an excellent way to give them a treat, but it could cause some serious harm! Most meat can be safely digested by pets, but a lot of seasonings, such as garlic and onions, do a lot of damage. You should also avoid feeding them any kind of candy or beverages that contain caffeine.
Home Security Devices and Pet Stickers
Many great security devices for your home are also valuable tools for keeping your pets safe, such as monitored smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If a fire should happen while you are not home, our monitored smoke detectors alert the fire department immediately, likely much sooner than a neighbor or passerby would call 911. This gives your pet their best chance at survival. Bates Security provides our customers with Pet Decals, which can help emergency responders know how many pets need to be saved in the event of a disaster. If you are already a Bates Security customer, we can mail you pet stickers free of charge, so give us a call now!
Ever wondered what your pet does while you’re away at work? Home security cameras allow you to watch live streaming footage from any camera connected to your system, which is perfect for checking in on your pets. Pet owners also benefit from home automation services, which allow you to turn a light on for your pet if you are going to be home later than you thought.
When it comes to the health, happiness, and safety of your home, remember to keep your pets in mind!