PThere are animals that because of their size or because of the type of activities they do, are a good option for people who live in an apartment. From a dog or a cat to an exotic animal, like an iguana or a ferret, there are many kinds of pets.
Many people turn to a pet to protect their home. In this way, they can generate a deterrent effect and prevent possible intrusions. Undoubtedly, this option is very useful.
However, if you are going to have a pet just to deter a thief, it is better that you do not have it. Never forget that an animal is a living being that requires attention and affection. Your physical integrity and well-being come first.
Safety Tips for Home and Pets
Dogs
Unless it is a street or field animal (and even that), dogs do not pose a danger. For this reason, the best safety measure you can take is to ensure that they maintain good hygiene.
- Use an anti-flea shampoo.
- Visit the veterinarian to make regular revisions.
- Prevent children from touching the dog’s mouth.
- In this way, you will have things under control.
Cats
Cats are 9% of all pets. Unlike dogs, they are more reactive to stimuli and we have to teach our children to deal with them.
- Teach them that they should never stretch their tails or whiskers.
- Do not disturb them while they sleep or eat.
- Teach them to be careful with their claws and teeth.
Birds
Birds are the most common companion animal, exceeding 25%. In this sense, it is enough to teach children that they should not open their cage. If it is docile birds like some kinds of parrots or parakeets that are allowed to get out of the cage:
- They should not put their hand near the peak.
- Never capture the animal by its wings or head.
Other Pets
There are many other kinds of animals that can live with us as pets. For example, fish, amphibians (especially exotic frogs) or reptiles of all kinds. In front of this type of companions, the measures usually are very specific, although there is one that adapts to all.
It is, generally, animals with a very specific habitat that usually live in fish tanks, terrariums or specifically enabled spaces. For this reason, it is essential that you teach your children that they should not modify the characteristics of said habitat, such as temperature or humidity.
Tips for All Types of Animals
In any case, these guidelines will also be useful for any kind of pet:
- We should never leave the food of animals within the reach of children.
- You have to take care of the cleaning and get rid of the pet droppings quickly.
- It is better to prevent our children from playing with pet toys.
If you educate your children and the rest of the inhabitants of the house in respect and affection, they will learn to live with animals without problems. Also, if you follow these simple tips you will ensure your safety at home. However, if you really want to protect your home, you must also ensure the safety of your pets. For this reason, to protect your home properly, it is better to have security systems specially designed to meet that objective.
Tips for the Safety of Pets and the Home
The responsibility to protect pet animals lies entirely with their owners, so if you have in mind to adopt a pet or if you are moving to a new house, it is advisable to take into account a series of considerations to ensure your safety:
Condition the house to receive your pet: make sure that cables, chemicals, toxic plants and objects that can break are out of reach. In the event that several animals live together, make sure they do not pose a danger to each other.
Cages, aquariums or terrariums must be solid, of the appropriate size and adapt to the corresponding regulations. To place them, choose a safe place, away from heaters, air conditioners or currents, and where sunlight does not arrive directly. Be especially careful with fumes and vapors from the kitchen: for example, steam from Teflon pans can be deadly for birds.
If your pet is going to live outside, for example, in the garden, keep in mind that you should be able to directly access water and food and have a place to shelter from the sun and rain, or hide in case of feeling threatened.
If you are considering the convenience of installing an alarm, choose one specially designed for homes with animals. In the market, you will find systems whose motion sensors are also volume sensitive, so they are not activated by the presence of a cat or a dog. This way you will avoid unnecessary scares.
Animals are very vulnerable in case of fire, so think about placing remote fire detectors. If you live in a multi-story house, keep the animals on the ground floor in your absence to facilitate an eventual eviction, and consider the option of a trusted neighbor having an emergency key so he can get them out quickly any warning signal.
In addition to the mandatory microchip to identify your pet, worry about having an updated photo that you can use in case of loss or leakage.
First aid is key in an emergency situation while veterinary attention arrives. Therefore, you must have a specific first aid kit for your pet that includes bandages, disinfectants, thermometer, saline, syringes, medicines and antiparasitic products, among others. You can buy it in specialized stores or compose it yourself.
Some technological advances can help your pets enjoy greater freedom without sacrificing their safety. This is the case of Petwalk, a system of doors for pets that open and close automatically before their presence.
In the event that your animal is classified as potentially dangerous (snakes, poisonous spiders, some animal breeds …), worry about knowing in depth the needs and particularities of the animal and the risks involved: in this case, it is not only convenient that extreme precautions but you will have the legal obligation to do so.