Protecting Pets From Pesky Outdoor Threats This Spring

After facing one of the harshest winters parts of North America 

have ever experienced, many people are sighing a gasp of relief 

given the onset of spring.  Even though we’ll be seeing rising

 temperatures andthe arrival of new life, we may also experience

 some aggressive behaviors when it comes to mothers of outdoor

 critters who are protecting their newborns and their nest.

For example, otherwise docile creatures like possums are easily 

frightened by the mere presence or scent of our pets, especially 

dogs and cats. But when our domesticated animals get too close

 to their youngers or a perceived domicile, they will go into full-on 

protective mode. Possums, raccoons, rats, even bats and other

 flying threats from above can potentially injure and often carry 

dangerous communicable diseases that are a danger to our

 four-legged friends.

Recognizing Real Wildlife Worries

There’s a variety of unusual urban legends out there when it

 comes to wildlife and the real (or imagined) danger they may 

pose to our pets. For instance, we’ve seen some examples in

 the media and in movies when a hawk, eagle or other bird of prey 

arrives and on scene and carries off a small pet. While this is 

highly unlikely, it’s still a remote possibility for a much smaller dog,

 cat and especially newborn puppies and kittens.

This is the reason why we don’t let these newcomers stray too 

far from the warmth, safety and security of their mother’s side. 

Even the maternal instinct of the recent mom gives protection

 to her litter when she won’t let her youngsters go any further

 than her immediate sight and surroundings during their first

 few weeks of life.

Trimming The Yard Fantastic

Another way we can keep wildlife at bay and away from our pets

 is to prevent them from making our own outdoor areas attractive 

to them when it comes to their nesting and feeding behaviors. 

Once spring has sprung, these potentially dangerous critters will 

make some of our exterior spaces their own places and create a

 home for themselves.

But we can easily deter them by:

- Keeping bushes, shrubbery and other foliage bordering our 
property lines well-trimmed, cut back, clear of debris and other
 rubbish attracting certain critters to settle in without our 
permission.
 
- Making sure our gardens are properly fenced and taking extra 
precautions during planting time. Some of these critters will either
steal the seeds, dig up the beds or sense this as a future food 
source without appropriate protection in place.
 
-Recognizing how low-lying tree branches encroach upon
 our houses and gives animals access with these limbs left 
untrimmed. It’s like an open invitation to come hang out in our 
attic, chimneys or other parts of our exterior houses that are 
actually indoor spaces.
 
-Keeping an eye on our fencing if our pets use gardens, 
backyards and other exterior areas we perceive as being safe.
 Watch for loose boards, faulty hinges, holes, failing latches and 
other possible entry points for trespassing predators.

The reason many of us have cats is because they tend to keep 

rodents and other critters away from our house. Even rat terriers,

 by their very nature perform the same task. But on the other hand,

 think twice when you see your kitty or doggie bring home a rat, 

mouse, mole or other nuisance creature.

Take It Away - It’s NOT A Happy Meal

While we may have a mouser in our house, if they catch

 and then eventually consume a rodent, it could literally be

 the death of them. Other people, they’re often our neighbors

 or nearby businesses, may be putting out poisons to kill these

 pesky animals without knowing or understanding some of the

 consequences of their actions.

Whether they’re our beloved pets or become potential predators

 themselves, once either one of them capture and consume these 

critters potentially laced with poison, they’re at a high risk from

 succumbing to these types of deadly ingredients. Keep an extra 

watchful eye on your dogs and cats this spring to keep them from

 becoming an unlikely victim to these types of threats during 

warmer months.