K-9 Companion Pet Services

Not many pet owners have the luxury of being able to keep their pets

under watch all the time. There are a number of steps that pet owners can take to help ensure

pets are safe around the home when pet owners are not there. Follow these five tips to help keep your pet safe:

One person’s trash - Dogs and cats alike seem to love the smell, taste and texture of trash, and they

will go out of their way to play in that arena while you’re away. The problem is many things in our trash that may seem benign to us can be dangerous to pets, including chicken bones, which are choking hazards because of their brittle nature. Take all the trash outside when you leave for any length of time, or place trashcans out of pet’s reach.

Do sweat the small stuff – Remove small toys, string and other choking hazards such as rubber bands  from your pet’s area in your home. They may love these things as toys, but the risk of choking is high. Consider, too, if your pet’s toys are sized appropriately for him. A ball meant for a smaller animal can lodge within a larger one’s throat.

Eight lives and counting – Cats aren’t always as nimble footed and self sufficient as legend has it. Check for places where they can become stuck, such as behind the refrigerator or in fireplace openings,

and seal up those openings. Close all toilet lids before you leave the house. Finally, put away those toys

you may enjoy with your feline friend that include strings. Left alone with one, your animal can quickly choke.

An idle mind is the devil’s workshop - Pets enjoy their routines. And if you’re going to be away for an

extended period of time, or if you’re going to be away at times of the day when you’re usually at home with your pet, consider hiring a professional pet sitter to help your pet stick to its schedule. It is reassuring to the pet, and can help alleviate some of the mischievous exploring that often leads to disaster. A good pet sitter knows how to think like a pet and can quickly scan your pet’s environment for known dangers.

Before hiring a sitter for your pet, make sure the pet sitter is bonded and carries adequate liability insurance. Finding a pet sitter who is accredited through a national association like PSI is also a real plus. Be sure to make time for a face-to-face interview in your home with the sitter and your pets. Conducting an initial interview is an excellent time for you to check credentials and ask important questions.

Disaster and emergency planning can save the day - All pet owners should have a disaster plan and kit for each of their pets. According to Jennifer Miler of St. Petersburg, Florida, Pet Sitters International’s 2007 Pet Sitter of the Year™, “Natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, as well as unforeseen man-made disasters like chemical spills, can close off a residential area in short order. The key is to be prepared as best as you can and it only takes a small amount of preparation.” You should be able to pass the “five minute preparedness test,” meaning in five minutes or fewer, you should be able to get your pets and their emergency kit out of your home.

A Pet Disaster Kit Should Include:

• A copy of your Emergency Disaster Plan

• Pet first-aid kit and book

• Road maps and street guides

• Photocopies of medical records

• Recent photos of your pets

• Pet medication

• A separate carrier for each pet

• Pet feeding dishes

• Pet food – Be sure canned food has a pop-top

• Bottled water – a week supply for each pet

• Extra leashes, collars and harnesses

• Dog stake or cables

• Muzzles

• Gloves – heavy gloves and disposable rubber gloves

• Small or disposable litter boxes

• Kitty litter – scoopable is most convenient

• Disposable garbage bags

• Paper towels

• Liquid soap, disinfectant and bleach

• Blankets and towels

• Flashlight

• Portable radio

• Extra batteries

• Scissors

• Pocket knife

• Pillowcase of Evac Sack

• Pet toys

• Pet treats

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On and Off Leash – Fenced or not fenced

Every day you hear stories of dogs or puppies hit by cars.  Then that brings you to the next question why were they out without a leash.  Over the years I have heard many reasons or excuses for not having a dog on leash and very few why they should have been. You start out with this cute little puppy that follows you everywhere and never leaves your side.  As they get older they begin to wander further and further, exploring more till that day comes they are in the street and it’s too late.

All puppies do the same they stick close to you while they are young and as they grow older they begin to explore.  Follow their noses down the street, across the street, to go say hi to people, another dog, check out the local cat.  Don’t be the person that has to carry their pet into the vet because it was hit.  Or the one to say I lost my dog because…

As adults we put a lot of faith in our pets.  What they will or will not do.  No matter how well trained your pet is or may not be – They always belong on a leash when outside of your home. The dog parks are the only fenced in areas, besides your own yard that they can be off leash. So many people these days either allow their pets to roam free or they “get out” and no one goes looking for them, because he’ll come back when he’s ready too. There is no good reason for your pet to be out without being secure somehow.  If your pet goes out the front door with you they should be on a leash.  If you have a fenced yard make sure it is secure, lock the gate if needed.  If you don’t have a fence or a yard then your pet should never be in a position that they can freely roam.

So many people or their pets are bitten or attacked by “loose” dogs.  These are not always strays, but other peoples’ pets that may have dog or people aggression.  Please take the time to make sure your pet does not become one of the many hit by cars or attacked by another dog.  If you have a pet that has aggression issues then you as an owner have an even bigger responsibility to make sure your pet is secure and that they can hurt anyone.

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