Well, its official. Spring is here. The weather is beautiful and our pets are begging us to go out. Those of you with Pet Access doors have it easy, your pet can stroll in and out, enjoy the sunshine, come back in for air conditioning, and then go back out. Unfortunately, letting your animals have unsupervised access to the outdoors can cause some problems you didn’t anticipate.
We don’t want you to be discouraged from getting a pet door, cause really, they’re awesome.
That’s why we made this list of Springtime Safety Tips.
Holes in the ground- Weather, bugs and rodents can cause holes or divots in the yard, which are hard to detect under all that beautiful grass. With animals (and children) running around, holes can cause tripping, resulting in broken bones or twisted muscles. Occasionally do a walk-around your yard, doing a quick check for holes that need filling, or tree roots sticking up.
Spring cleaning – everyone’s favourite activity! Be mindful of where your pets are and see if there are any hazardous products within in your house or outdoors (e.g. fertilizers, insecticides, antifreeze) that they can get into. Many people will also plant their flower gardens, and although they make your yard look beautiful, there are many different poisonous plants to animals. A few examples are Crocus, Easter Lily, Ferns, Hyacinth, Iris, Rhododendron, Tiger Lily, Tulips, etc. Make sure that if your pet is outside they don’t get into the flower beds and have an afternoon snack.
Compost or other rotting organic material– These contain mycotoxins which act on the central nervous system. The signs include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors ranging from mild to severe, cardiovascular collapse and potentially death. Be sure your garden in fenced off and your compost is locked up.
Home Improvement 101- Products such as paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to your pets and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Carefully read all labels to see if the product is safe to use around your furry friends. Also, be cautious of physical hazards, including nails, staples, insulation, blades and power tools. It may be wise to confine your dog or cat to a designated pet-friendly room during home improvement projects.
Pesky Little Critters April showers bring May flowers—and an onslaught of bugs! Make sure your pet is on year-round heartworm preventive medication, as well as a flea and tick control program. Ask your doctor to recommend a plan designed specifically for your pet
Out and About -Warmer weather means more trips to the park, longer walks and more chances for your pet to wander off! Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag imprinted with your home address, cell phone and any other relevant contact information. Canines should wear flat (never choke!) collars, please.
Car Safety- cars are HOT when the sun is out, please, if you can’t bring your pet inside with you, leave them at home!! Also, pets on your lap is very dangerous to you and them. Use a Car Seat restraint to keep everyone safe!
hi i installed your electronic cat door this spring.and i love it ! i do wish you had the larger size at that time but they do get in and out this one.the great thing is now just our cats get in.it was expensive to buy the door and get three cats chipped all at once but now its worth it.last year when we were away,my brother was feeding the cats,and also some other cats and by the time we returned a good size raccoon.this year we went on vacation feeling relief knowing that would not happen this was such a great thing and the cats are relaxed inside again . i tell other people about it and my vet was very interested as well.great product works well so far,very happy with it.