Protecting Pets from Wild Animals

It’s one thing when outdoor pests interfere with your property; it’s quite another when they disturb or even harm your beloved pets. Since our animal companions tend to spend a portion of the day outdoors, they can cross paths with wildlife and this unfortunately can turn into trouble. If you’re concerned about protecting pets from wild animals like raccoons, opossums, skunks, and coyotes, the following suggestions may be beneficial.

Keep Animals Indoors As Much as Possible

Unless a critter breaks into your home, most confrontations happen outdoors. Of course, we know that many animals need and love spend time outside. If your cat is an indoor cat, then you should have very little trouble. It can be difficult to turn an outdoor cat into an indoor cat, so if your feline friend roams around outdoors, just make sure that it stays in view and doesn’t leave the yard. Most dogs go outside periodically throughout the day, which is perfectly fine. Just remember to bring them back into the house at night and don’t let them leave your yard without you.

Don’t Leave Food or Garbage Outside

Most critters find their way onto your property in search of food or water. You may not have a problem if you leave a bowl of water out for your dog on a hot day, but bring your pets inside to eat and move their water bowl into your house once it gets dark outside. Raccoons and opossums are nocturnal and will be most likely to graze on your pet’s food at nighttime. If animals know that your home is a reliable source of food or water, they will return on a regular basis and may bring a few friends along, causing you a much bigger problem.

Likewise, a lot of homeowners store their larger garbage cans and recycling bins near the front or backyard, where pets also reside. The scent of leftover food in your trash can attract wild animals, possibly causing a run-in between them and your pet. If possible, store your garbage in a covered or locked indoor location like a shed or garage. At the very least, pull the bins in at night.

Secure Your Porch and Yard

Homeowners often call with complaints that a family of animals has built a nest beneath their porch. Wildlife are usually just looking for a place to seek shelter. While your deck might be a safe home for them, it’s not always the safest arrangement for your pet. If you find critters making a home beneath your deck, have them humanely removed and then repair any holes with added crosshatching or netting to prevent reentry.

If you’re having recurring pest problems, consider building a protective barrier like a fence around your property. You can also make existing fences more secure by installing netting on the bottom of them so that burrowers can’t dig a pathway beneath the fence and into your yard.

Keep Your Pet Up to Date on Vaccinations

This is probably the #1 way to protect pets from wild animals. If pets are outside, it’s fairly likely they will interact with squirrels, rabbits, rats and more at some point. The best thing you can do to keep them safe in these encounters is to make sure they are properly vaccinated against rabies or other contagious diseases that wild animals can carry.

Summary

If you have a pest problem around your home that is disturbing you or your pets, don’t hesitate to contact a professional for guidance or troubleshooting. Your pets are part of your family, and we understand that their safety is important to you. Call today for an estimate on humane animal removal and repair for your home.