Losing a pet – even briefly – is a devastating experience. Nobody plans for it to happen, but animals do get missing – and this doesn’t mean the owner is careless. It is usually due to little oversights that are avoidable.Tips to Prevent Your Pet from Getting Lost
There are a thousand ways or reasons your pet could bolt off and get lost. While you can’t prevent these various scenarios from occurring, here are 5 things you can do to reduce the risk of your pet going missing, and even if it happens, increase the chance that your animal will find its way back home.
#1. Microchip Your Pet
Thanks to technology, microchips have become a much more comfortable and secure way to identify your animal and return it home if it gets missing. The chip contains your pet’s name, your contact information and details about your primary veterinary doctor.
The process of implanting the chip is painless, and it can stay under your pet’s skin for life. It also won’t cause any discomfort. If your pet gets missing, all the vet or shelter needs to do is scan for the microchip, and gather all the information required to send it back home.
#2. Secure Your Home or Yard
Installing secure fencing is one of the best ways to keep your pet safe and prevent it from wandering off unnoticed. However, it’s not entirely foolproof. Smaller pets can dig a pathway beneath the fence, while larger pets can climb or jump over with ease.
To prevent climbing, ensure the fence is of the right height and doesn’t have any sections your pet can use as support while climbing. If your pet is a digger, line the bottom of the fence with rocks or chicken wire.
#3. Train Your Pet
Asides the tricks and basic commands, proper obedience training is critical to your pet’s safety. Training your pet not only makes them better behaved, but it also equips you with valuable safety information that can reduce mistakes that can lead to your pet going missing.
Obedience training doesn’t mean your pet won’t try to run off after some scents or sights you two come across while walking, but the chance of it listening to you and turning back is higher. That can make the difference between going home with your pet or filing a missing pet report.
#4. Collar and ID Tags
While it seems an obvious thing to do, many pet owners don’t have their pets wear a secure collar and ID tag. Your pet’s collar must be durable and lightweight so that it doesn’t find it uncomfortable and try to scratch or remove the collar. It also must not be too loose – you need to find a balance between secure and comfortable.
The ID tag should always have the pet’s name and your phone number on it at all times. It should be clear and easy to read by anyone.
#5. Always Keep on a Leash
Once you step outside with your pet, they must remain on a leash all through the period. Don’t go having any fanciful ideas about how well you have trained the pet and why it should be able to walk without the leash.
There are thousands of distractions, and you might find it difficult to control your pet once its head has turned. Ensure you buy the appropriate leash for your pet’s weight.
The Bottom Line
Following these five tips carefully can help prevent your pet from getting lost. You will probably make a mistake here and there, but with common sense and proper application, you and your pet will do just fine.
