Our fur babies are beloved members of our families, so it’s just as important to look after their safety as we would our own. From keeping harmful household items out of reach to installing a security system that will alert authorities at the first sign of trouble, here are five tips for keeping your pet safe and comfortable.
1. Keep harmful household items out of reach.
Most of us know that harsh chemical cleaners, antifreeze, and pesticides can harm or even kill our pets, but did you know that some household plants and natural substances like essential oils can also cause serious issues? This helpful article from eartheasy.com lists some of the common household chemicals (including a pet's own flea prevention medication!) that could harm your pet, as well as natural alternatives you might want to consider using instead. For a comprehensive list of household plants that are toxic to pets, as well as those that aren’t, visit the ASPCA’s website. You can filter results by dogs, cats, and even horses!
2. Keep an eye on your pet while you’re away.
Installing interior and exterior cameras that you can monitor from your phone will ensure that you can see what Rover’s up to while you’re gone. Not only will you be able to make sure your pet is safe, but you can also find out once and for all just “who” keeps chewing on those couch cushions.
3. Protect your pets from extreme temperatures.
It goes without saying: Never leave a pet in a parked car during warmer months. The inside of your car will heat up quickly, and pets can die in a matter of minutes.
Be careful of overexercising your pet in both summer and winter. Just like us, exercising for long periods of time in the summer will dehydrate a pet and could cause heat exhaustion. And in winter, their little paws (and bodies) can get frostbite quickly, since they don’t have the protection of warm boots or an extra coat. Always give your pet plenty of water, especially after exercising, and be sure to completely dry them off after a bath before they go out in cold weather. When they come inside from a romp in the snow or sun, be sure to wipe their paws of dirt, snow, or ice.
4. Install smoke detectors, and use a security system that connects to local, UL-approved monitoring.
Losing your home to fire would be tragic enough, but losing your beloved fur babies is unthinkable. Installing an alarm system that will alert a local call center that’s familiar with your area will ensure that the fire department or police arrive quickly. You may want to consider installing signs on your home that you have a pet inside. You can get a free pet alert sticker to notify authorities who come to your home at the ASPCA’s website, or you can order them from Amazon.
5. Prevent a lost pet.
Always make sure your pet is wearing his or her collar with their name, your name, and your contact number. Spaying or neutering your pet will help prevent their urge to roam. Always leash your pet when you take them outside. And have your pet microchipped, so they can be easily identified and you can be contacted if they do happen to get loose.
Add some "Awwww" to your day! Watch this footage captured by a hidden camera of a cat comforting his anxious dog pal while their family was away!
If you'd like to keep a closer eye on your pets, give Southern Alarm & Security a call. We can help you choose a security and monitoring system that will meet the needs of your family, right down to your furry friends!