In autumn, the days get shorter and the nights get longer, so your usual evening walk may suddenly turn pitch black. As the clocks turn back this month, it’s time to start preparing for the dark days ahead.
Annual charity work for veterinarians PDSA We have treated thousands of pets who have been involved in car accidents. The charity’s autumn danger warning comes at a time of year when the risk of pets being involved in car accidents is at its highest. If your pet is involved in a traffic accident, you should seek veterinary care immediately.
Stay safe even on dark days
There are some things pet owners can start doing now to get into the habit of doing so when the clock turns back. Here are some of PDSA’s top tips for keeping your dog, cat, or small pet safe and happy during the upcoming period of reduced daylight hours.
- Your usual evening walk may suddenly turn pitch black. Make sure you’re wearing reflective clothing so your dog can see you too, so you don’t get spotted. Add reflective lights to collars, harnesses, and leashes to ensure your dog is always visible.
- It is also helpful for pet owners to wear brightly colored or reflective clothing. This allows both dog and owner to see better in the dark.
- Also consider carrying a flashlight and a fully charged cell phone to stay safe on dark nights. This is especially useful if your usual walking route includes dark spots.
- The easiest way to keep your dog safe when walking in the dark, especially near roads, is to use a leash and keep it on the leash for the entire walk to keep your dog close. You can.
- If you want to let your dog run around off-leash, it’s best to only do so in a safe, enclosed area where your dog won’t run onto nearby roads or get disoriented and lost.
- It’s also important and a legal requirement that your dog wears a collar and tag when out and about, and that his microchip details are up to date, in case the worst happens and he gets separated.
- If your dog doesn’t like going out for walks in the dark, it’s important to make sure your dog has fun at home to make up for missing the walk. You can keep their brains and bodies active at home by playing games, giving them nutritional toys, and feeding them slowly.
- While your dog should always be kept safe on a leash when near the road, it’s a good idea to teach your dog emergency commands such as “stop” so they can stop immediately if they are faced with a dangerous situation. I will. .
- Dogs don’t automatically know they need to stop and wait at the curb until it’s safe to cross. However, you can help your dog learn road sense with simple commands like “sit” and “wait.” To keep your dog safe around the road, you need to keep close control of your dog at all times, and these commands will help make that easier.
- When walking in the dark, it is best to plan your route carefully, especially if it involves roads. It is best to avoid unpaved roads to ensure a safer route.
- We recommend making sure your cat is safe and home before dark and keeping it indoors overnight in a warm and safe place.
- Some cat flaps have the ability to add a timer, which locks and reopens at a set time, helping to keep your cat home during dark hours.
- It’s also important, and now a legal requirement, to ensure your cat is microchipped and to keep the microchip details up to date, in case the worst happens.
- Staying active indoors is essential to make up for the time normally lost by being outdoors. Try to keep their brains and bodies active at home with challenging games, enriching toys and slow feedings.
- If you live in a busy downtown area, consider releasing your cat only in safe outdoor areas, such as a secure garden or cat patio, to prevent your cat from wandering into the street. please.
For owners of small pets who live outdoors:
- Shorter daylight hours make it harder to see small pets, so be sure to have a flashlight handy to help you check on small pets that may be living in outdoor enclosures. So, head out with a flashlight on to check on your little pet.
For more advice on keeping your pet safe this fall, visit the PDSA website. www.pdsa.org.uk
PDSA is a veterinary charity for pets in need, providing a vital service to pets across the UK whose owners are struggling to pay for the treatment of sick or injured pets. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA comes to the rescue when their owners have nowhere else to turn. With support from People’s Postcode Lott participants, we can reach even more pet owners with important advice and information.
