July is Lost Pet Prevention Month. This is a topic that never loses relevance. Unfortunately, about a third of our animal companions get lost at some point in their lives. This is one area where an ounce of prevention can be worth several pounds of cure. Read on as a Plano, TX vet offers some tips on keeping your furry friend safe and sound at home.
Keep Them Contained
Always keep your pet in a controlled area. Don’t let Fido run around off-leash, except in areas that are securely fenced. As for Fluffy, she’s better off staying inside anyway.
Identification
ID won’t keep your four-legged pal from getting lost, but it can play a huge role in bringing them back home again if they do. Fido and Fluffy should both be microchipped and wearing ID tags. You’ll need to keep your record currents in the microchip manufacturer’s database. (Tip: check the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup Tool here.) As far as tags go, consider GPS tags. These offer an extra safety net, and can save you a lot of grief.
Training
This one’s generally for Fido. (You may be able to teach Fluffy to come when called, but she may also just ignore you.) Make sure your canine pal knows and obeys basic commands, such as Sit, Stay, Heel, and Come.
Spay/Neuter Surgery
Did you know that getting Fluffy and Fido fixed can reduce the chances of them running off? Pets that are intact are very much driven by hormonal urges that cause them to fixate on finding a mate. If your furry pal hasn’t had this procedure yet, talk to your vet about getting it scheduled.
Be Aware Of High Risk Times
While pets can go missing at any time, there are events and occasions where you’ll need to be extra vigilant. The Fourth of July, which is right around the corner, is one of the big ones. Our furry pals don’t understand fireworks, and often get absolutely terrified by the noise and commotion. Animals all have that fight-or-flight instinct, just as we do, and may run off out of fear. You’ll also need to be careful any time you have a lot of open doors or windows. If you’re having people over, keep pets contained as guests are coming and going.
As your Plano, TX veterinary hospital, we’re here to help! Call us anytime!
