Pets are part of the family, and they shouldn’t be separated from the rest of your household when you’re not home or when they need to be left alone in the house. But it’s still important to make sure that they aren’t a danger to themselves or others around them, so even though you shouldn’t leave them confined in their houses, there are some things you can do to help make your pets safe at home.
The old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to pet safety, that’s true for three reasons: First, injuries can be prevented with thoughtful planning. Second, most pets who die in accidents do so on their property; and third, knowing your options ahead of time makes it much easier to make an informed decision if tragedy strikes. In other words, educating yourself now could save you and your pet many unnecessary worries down the road.
Here are seven simple tips that will help ensure your pet’s safety while they’re in your care. With these tips in mind, you can ensure that no matter what kind of pet you have, they’ll be safe and sound whenever they’re under your watchful eye.
Provide Their Own Home
Dogs are pack animals, which means they often prefer sleeping with their pack — you. However, if you are gone a lot or want them to have their own space, your pets must have some way of escaping whatever dangers may be lurking in your home while you’re away. Consider purchasing a dog crate or an indoor cat tree so that your furry friend has a comfortable place to stay while you’re out.
Make Sure They Are Microchipped
Microchipping is a great way to ensure your pet can be returned home quickly if they get lost. If they’re not chipped, consider it one of your top priorities as soon as you bring them home. Additionally, be sure to update your contact information with shelters and microchip companies.
Air Tags from Apple use near-field communication (NFC) technology that works without requiring batteries or having any device or tag activation fees or subscriptions. This can be a good alternative for pets with health problems related to traditional implanted chips.
Teach Them Tricks for an Emergency
One of the best ways to keep pets secure is to teach them simple, easy-to-remember commands. If your dog or cat is well-trained, you’ll have an easier time getting them out of harm’s way if you have to leave home unexpectedly. Start with simple commands like come and stay. If your pet can do these reliably in a non-emergency situation, it will make a big difference when something serious does happen.
Get Them Their Leash and Collar
Always have a leash on hand for your pets. You never know when they might suddenly decide they want to go out. You don’t have to leash them if you’re not comfortable with it, but having that option is extremely useful for helping keep your pet safe. Even if you don’t choose to use leashes, always keep collars with identifying tags on your pets so that if they get loose, they can be returned home safely.
Install an Electronic Gate
Installing an electronic gate is a smart idea if you’re not home often during daylight hours. Electronic gates can be expensive, but they are worth it if you want to ensure your pets’ safety while you are out of town. If you still want to keep it stylish, electric gates made from wood are another option that provides added security without sacrificing aesthetics. Either way, make sure you get one tall enough for your pet; some dogs have been known to scale six-foot fences.
Use Other Training Tools
When it comes to training your dog, there are countless options available. Dog trainers use everything from whistle commands, treats, and praise. Train them to not go outside your premises and not attack people on their way. Remember that you may never get rid of all of their bad habits; however, if you train them well early in life, they will be much easier to handle as adults.
Install Security Cameras to Keep an Eye on Them
Looking after your pets while you’re away isn’t just a matter of making sure they have enough food. They may wander into places they shouldn’t or cause trouble when you can’t supervise them. To prevent these problems, it helps to have security cameras in place. These are relatively inexpensive and easy to set up, so there is no excuse not to use them. As a bonus, they allow you to see what kind of mischief your pet has been getting up to while you were gone and save yourself from any surprises.
It should go without saying, but always keep your pets safe and secure inside your home. Remember these other tips to ensure a safe home for your furry friends.
