| These days there are too many ways to lose | | | | become a risk to your pet. Remember to look |
| our pets. We have to worry about dog | | | | at things around your yard from a pet's |
| snatchers, hit-and-run drivers, another | | | | perspective. They are low to the ground, |
| neighborhood dog, animal control, or the | | | | sniff for bugs, chew on rocks and dig in the |
| accidental swallowing of household items, | | | | dirt. When they do this, they are looking for |
| like a needle. And while no one likes to | | | | stuff to keep themselves occupied with. Make |
| think that we could ever lose our pets, there | | | | sure what they find is not a hazard to them. |
| are a handful of things we can do to help | | | | |
| prevent some of these from happening. | | | | Pet Proof your house |
| | | | |
| Take care of your pets | | | | This goes hand in hand with supervising your |
| | | | pets, but is quite commonly missed or done |
| By taking proper care of your pet you lesson | | | | incorrectly We always assume that since the |
| the risk that anyone will have cause to take | | | | dog never jumps on the counter when we are |
| your pet from you. This means properly | | | | home that they will never do it when we are |
| feeding, watering and housing your pets. Do | | | | not. Well, you're wrong. If you have a dog |
| not have 10 dogs living in one dog house. | | | | that is large enough to reach stuff, then |
| Make sure their living area is clean and free | | | | move that stuff, or risk losing it to the |
| of feces and filth. If you have too many pets | | | | unsupervised curious dog. Pet proofing means |
| to care for, cannot afford them, or don't | | | | eliminate all potential threats to your pet. |
| want them, then do them and yourself a favor | | | | Take away anything they can chew or swallow, |
| and give them up for adoption. Do not be the | | | | remove things they can knock over or break, |
| next person we watch on Animal Planet being | | | | and cover anything that has sharp edges. Take |
| raided by the animal control officer. | | | | the same precautions with your pets as you |
| | | | would a newborn baby. |
| Train your pet | | | | |
| | | | Get pet insurance coverage |
| Training your pet to come when called on a | | | | |
| reliable basis is a requirement for keeping | | | | Many better insurance companies, and online |
| your pets out of trouble. This does not | | | | companies like VPI Pet Insurance, offer |
| replace a leash law. If you are going to walk | | | | direct pet insurance to you. These insurance |
| your dog on busy streets, then use a leash. | | | | carriers will cover your pet for a host of |
| Do not think that you dog could not ever | | | | issues ranging from having your pet spayed or |
| disobey you. The desire to chase a rabbit | | | | neutered to cancer treatments or surgeries. |
| might easily outweigh the desire to come to | | | | There is no way to know ahead of time if your |
| you. This training will also help to prevent | | | | pet will develop some medical issue that |
| any unwanted problems with other people. In | | | | could cost you thousands of dollars. |
| this day of "suing happiness", why risk fines | | | | |
| or worse because your dog jumped on someone. | | | | Because your pets can be lost in so many |
| | | | manners, it is absolutely crucial that you |
| Supervise your pets | | | | take what steps you can to protect your pets. |
| | | | You are not trying to protect just from harm, |
| No matter how well trained your pet is, when | | | | but from other people, other animals and the |
| they are unsupervised they can and will get | | | | ever rising costs of pet care. You want the |
| into things. They are curious natural | | | | best for your pet because they are a member |
| explorers. They will find twig, sticks and | | | | of the family. Do the best you can for your |
| anything that resembles one to chew on. If | | | | loved ones, including your pets, and they |
| you left your favorite tools outside, these | | | | should be with you for many years to come. |