Tired of giving your pet a piece of your mind by sending them outside? Have some peace of mind by employing the following tips, tricks and tools. From cat ID tags to hydration systems, here’s everything you need.
Set up a wireless camera
First and foremost, you’ll want to keep an eye on your pet. The simplest way to keep an eye on an outdoor pet, especially when you’re not home, is with an outdoor wireless camera. It may not be much, but it’s a good way to ensure that your pet is both safe and on their best behavior.
Never take your chances again. Keep an eye on your pet while you work from home, all without having to get up from your desk.
Have a reliable fence
Second, you’re going to want a fence that can hold your pet in. A sturdy fence is your best bet, as it will guarantee that your pet doesn’t have an easy means of escaping your yard. You’ll want to consider your pet’s height, weight, strength and jumping ability when constructing your fence.
For instance, you’ll want a fence that will contain your pet, which your pet won’t be able to jump over. Similarly, your pet shouldn’t be able to knock over your fence, even when putting in a lot of effort. The fence should remain as is to guarantee that your pet isn’t able to get out of your yard.
Remove harmful items
It’s equally important to make sure your pet can’t get to harmful items stored around your home. Some people may feel compelled to keep specific items out around the yard, such as coolants, antifreeze, de-weeder and other lawn and home cleansing products.
Don’t take your chances. Remove any products that could be harmful if ingested. Rather, place them in your shed or garage where your pet can never get to them. They should always be kept in places that are removed from common spaces, whether that be indoors or outdoors.
A safe space to play
You also need to make sure that they have an overall safe space to play in. First off, that includes removing dangers from your yard, from chemicals to rakes to loose nails and more. But beyond that, you need to provide them with safe play items, things that will allow them to safely play on their own.
This can include slides, tunnels, ramps, sandboxes and various toys. It might not sound like much, but it’s a proper way to ensure that they have a place to play and get their energy out throughout the day.
Cool down
If you let your pets out during those long summer days, you also need to provide them with a means to cool down. Sprinkler systems are the best option to let your pet cool down during the day. In the event they start feeling hot, they can go over and activate the sprinkler system to get some cool amidst the heat.
Moreover, you’ll want to be able to provide them with fresh water throughout the day. Water stations are the best option for an outdoor pet, whether it’s an automatic hydration system or a gravity-induced system, which will allow for them to get water whenever they need it.
If you have a lot of pets, you’ll need to keep an eye on the water level throughout the day, but you should be able to get by – especially depending on the type of hydration system you invest in. Have a number of pets? Invest in a continual-fill water system or get a gravity water system that can hold up to three gallons of water.
Provide them with a place to warm up
Similar to providing them with a means to cool down, you also want to be sure to give them a means to warm up in poor weather. For instance, in the colder months, they’ll want a place where they can escape the cold weather. Moreover, whether it’s snowing or raining out, they’ll want a place where they can escape the precipitation to get dry.
A simple cat or dog house is an easy way to provide that to your pet. Consider it their personal refuge away from poor weather.
Make sure your pet can be identified
The highest peace of mind comes from knowing that your pet is protected, even when they happen to escape from your protective arms. Your pet should still be identifiable in the event that they wander off from your property.
Dog and cat ID tags come in handy, just for this reason. They allow you to identify your pet in the event they ever get out of your sight. ID tags work best when paired with a cat or dog collar ID, as they allow for your pet’s ID to be seamlessly placed on their collar.
By sitting flatly on their collar, it keeps your pet safe by reducing the risk of their tag ever getting snagged on a branch, fence or other dangerous object. Best of all, it allows them to safely carry their personal identification wherever they go, from their name to your name, your contact phone number to a potential reward for their safe return.
Make sure they’re properly dressed
Lastly, you want to make sure that your pet is dressed for the weather outside. This is most important when it comes to colder weather. Whether it’s cold or snowing out, you’ll want to give your pet a jacket. It’s not much, but it’s a simple way to ensure they have added warmth amidst the outdoor weather.
If the weather is especially harsh, they may appreciate a pair of booties. However, this all depends on their own preferences. If they’ve never been a fan of booties, it’s best to leave them off. Instead, give them a jacket to help maintain warmth while outdoors.
With a few simple steps of precaution, you can protect your pet while giving yourself necessary peace of mind.
