Lesson 2: Responsible Pet Ownership
Pet Safety
As a responsible pet owner you will want to provide a safe environment for your animal. When you first bring your friend home he may be a bit shy and need time to adjust to his new place. You will want to provide him with a place of retreat until he feels comfortable.
If your pet will be using a fenced area, make sure it is secure. Animals can be amazing escape artists. You will need to research the proper type of fencing for your particular animal, and be sure that your fence is one that your pet can not jump over, climb over, squeeze through, claw or chew through, dig under or get hung up in. Regular checks will ensure that it stays secure. Underground fencing may or may not keep your pet in but it can leave your pet vulnerable to attack by other animals who can come in. Never allow your pet to run loose. It takes only a second to be hit by a car or attacked by another animal.
All pets should wear ID so they have a better chance of return if they are lost. There are several methods such as, collars and tags, tattoos, and microchips. Microchips are inserted by a veterinarian under the skin and all the vital information is entered into an international database. If your pet should become lost, be sure to check frequently with the pound, all animal rescues, vet offices, and boarding facilities. You can also post flyers with a photo in your neighborhood and place a “lost” ad in the newspaper. Most newspapers run lost and found ads free of charge.
Whether your pet lives indoors or out you will want to petproof the area. Remove all fertilizers, pesticides, antifreeze, cleaning items, medications, or plants that can be toxic to many animals. Check for electrical wires that can be chewed or shelved items that can fall, small items that can cause choking, thread or string that can cause strangulation or intestinal blockage, and even foods such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, and onions, that can be toxic to dogs and cats. Make sure garbage is removed as pets can find spoiled foods or even cut their mouth on opened cans. Never give human medications to pets without checking with your veterinarian. Some can be deadly for animals. The National Animal Poison Control Center number is 1-888-426-4435. For more information on poisonings, see http://www.best-pet-supplies.com/newslet...
It pays to use common sense when petproofing, just as we do when childproofing. A neighbor of mine once had a puppy whose toenail became entangled in a rope that hung from a tree, serving as a swing for the children. She was not home but I happened to hear his yelps and was able to free him before he seriously injured himself. Cats are very curious of new places. It takes only a moment with your back turned for them to sneak quietly into the clothes dryer, so be sure to check for Fluffy before you turn it on.
When traveling, dogs should never be allowed to hang their heads out the window. Bugs, debris, and low hanging limbs can cause injury. Pets should never be allowed to ride free in the back of a pickup. They can be easily thrown out and injured and killed by the impact or hit by other traffic. This also endangers other motorists as they may swerve to avoid hitting the animal. If the dog is tied he may be thrown out and hanged or dragged. Even a crate can be thrown from the back of a truck unless it is well secured.
Never leave your pet in a parked vehicle in warm weather. On a slightly warm day, the inside of a car can reach deadly temperatures in 10 or 15 minutes. In warm weather, outside pets should have shade and fresh water at all times. Extreme heat can quickly cause heatstroke, brain damage, and death.
