Be A Good Pet Neighbor
Provided by Purina
As you enjoy your pet's companionship, a little extra effort on your part will teach
him or her to be a good neighbor.
Cats
Most communities require each cat in a household to be registered, and some have
limits on the number of cats one household can own.
Keeping your cat indoors avoids problems with neighbors and protects your cat from
being hit by a car, encounters with unfriendly dogs or attacks by other animals.
If your cat is allowed outdoors, train her to wear a safety collar with an expansion
device and a tag that gives your cat's name and your telephone number to distinguish
her from stray cats. Proper identification enables someone to contact you if your
pet wanders far from home.
Cats who are allowed to roam may damage neighbors' gardens or use planters as litter
boxes. If you allow your cat outside, keep a watchful eye on her. If she leaves
to visit a neighbor, bring her back to her own yard.
A cat who isn’t neutered or spayed may become an undesirable neighbor. Female cats
come into their first heat cycle between five and seven months of age and may have
several heat cycles throughout the year. Spaying eliminates the problem of a female
in heat who attracts male cats and annoys the neighbors. A male cat who is not neutered
can be prone to roam and fight. He also sprays urine, which has a strong, unpleasant
odor.
Keep your cat well nourished by feeding a nutritionally complete and balanced quality
pet food. Take her to your veterinarian regularly to keep her vaccinations current
and to be certain she is free from internal and external parasites.
Dogs
Ideally you should begin training your pet when he’s young. However, at any age,
a dog can learn to obey at least the basic commands. The best method is to attend
a dog obedience school. Kennel clubs, humane organizations and extension divisions
of some universities also offer obedience courses. Plus, there are many good training
books.
Many communities have "pooper scooper" laws requiring owners to clean up after their
dogs. Law or no law, cleaning up after your dog reflects your consideration for
others.
Daily walks can be a treat for both of you when your dog is trained to walk quietly
at your side on a loose leash. This ongoing training helps you control your dog
so he won't jump on people or other dogs.
A fenced yard is one of the best ways to keep your dog from soiling or digging in
a neighbor's yard. If your yard isn’t fenced, check pet stores and catalogs for
tie-outs. Two of the most popular are a swivel stake or a tree trolley. Many tie-outs
can be used successfully for dogs that weigh up to 250 lbs. A tree trolley fastens
to a tree, but allows a dog to run around the tree without the chain becoming tangled.
A barking dog can become a neighborhood annoyance. Excessive barking is frequently
the result of boredom or anxiety when a dog is left alone for long periods of time.
Regular walks and play periods with your dog and teaching it tricks will help prevent
boredom.
Proper identification enables someone to contact you if your pet wanders far from
home. Dogs should wear collars with an identification tag as well as have microchip
or tattoo identification.
