Two Pet Safety Tips

Most of what I’ve learned about animals, I’ve learned from people who keep animals—from pet companions to zookeepers.

Carol’s tip 1: When I’m away from home, I crate my dog. Properly trained, fed, pottied, exercised, and watered, my dog happily remains in a properly-sized crate for up to eight hours. I don’t feel comfortable leaving her unsupervised. She’s too curious.

Carol’s tip 2: I keep the predator (dog) and the prey animals (parrots) separated by a four-foot buffer. When I’m home and the dog roams inside, I close the baby gate four feet in front of the indoor bird aviary. The parrots can use the lower portion of their cage without fear. This four-foot safety area I call our “demilitarized zone.” The birds depend on it. The dog hates it, as the barrier separates her from the food the parrots spill onto the floor.

Let’s hear from you, whether you’re a pet novice or a veterinarian. What are your best pet safety tips?