Thursday, March 8, 2018

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.

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