Your pets are very dependent on you. You are largely responsible for their safety, whether they live indoors or outdoors. Here are several, recommended ways to protect your pets from the threats of natural predators in your neighborhood.
Eliminate Distractors
Most predators are attracted to distracting items on a property, such as plants, herds of livestock, or piles of garbage. Some animals can smell food or waste from several hundred yards away. Remove the distractor, one at a time, and notice the animals disappear.
Install Fences
If you cannot remove distractions from your yard, keep them guarded and out of clear view. Installing tall fences is an effective method of keeping bears, wolves or coyotes off your property. In a suburban neighborhood where stray dogs and cats roam often, a tall fence is the most effective deterrent that protects your pets.
Let the Pets in Overnight
Many different types of animals, like raccoons, bats, coyotes and opossums, prefer to roam at night. Cats are also nocturnal and often try to escape the home at night. Allow your pets to sleep indoors overnight, and keep a closer eye on them at this period.
Install Flood Lights
Install flood lighting to increase nighttime security on your property. Light travels far and can be seen a mile away. You can install flood lights that wash your entire front or back yard with a bright light that deters animals. Like people, animals don't like having bright lights in their eyes and are less likely to invade your property.
Use Odors or Sound Repellents
Most animals despise foul odors and annoying noises. Birds tend to hate the smells of cayenne peppers and essential oils. Dogs hate the acidic smell of citrus like oranges and lemons along with mothballs and ammonia. Look for very strong, sharp smells that you dislike and chances are that animals will dislike them, too, and stay away.
There are sounds at certain frequencies that only animals hear but humans cannot. Some sound repellents are effective, but other types are ineffective to use in the middle of an attack. Some dogs are immune to certain ultrasonic sounds that are supposed to be irritating.
Some neighborhoods are located near wilderness areas where large predators live nearby. You need a strategic plan to protect your pets from being injured or killed by ruthless predators. When you plan ahead, you face no surprises. Look at the methods above and be sure to get experts in handling predators, such as coyote removal. Especially if you face a serious problem with predators. Protect your family, including pets, from the natural dangers around them.
About the Author:
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball. You can find her on Twitter @LizzieWeakley.
