When you live on a farm or ranch, or even near one, you soon realize the difference between farm pets and farm animals. Often, you?ll have both on your own place. Or maybe you?re visiting a farm with your dog or cat. Whether you live on or near a farm, or you?re just passing through, there are some important things to keep in mind regarding your pets.
Just because there is room to roam doesn?t mean your pets should roam ? at least unattended. This is especially true for dogs. They still need your care and attention. There are many dangers for our dogs in the country ? seen and unseen.?You might be nodding, recognizing the obvious ? such as roads with not just cars and trucks but farm equipment driving on them. These roads, unlike urban roads, have steeper ditches with less opportunities for drivers to swerve to avoid hitting your pet.
Other dangers for your pet are the farm animals themselves. A cow or a horse, even a goat or sheep, can kick or gore a dog ? especially when they are unfamiliar with the animal or when they are protecting their young. Canines are natural predators, and many animals react to them instinctively, regardless of their status as a farm pet, working farm dog or wild animal. If you?re walking in a field, be aware of where you are and where your pet is. A horse or cow can kick surprisingly far and hard. Although they may not intend it, even you could be their target!?Fences and wires, barbed and electric, can be serious hazards to an unaware dog. Tangled up in page wire can lead to serious cuts and abrasions as well.
Taking proper care of your animals on the farm includes knowing that they have safe sources of clean water. Keep chemicals, especially things like antifreeze, away from them. Poisoning is a dreadful death and in many rural areas there are no nearby 24 vet clinics. An hour on the road with an ill pet could be one of the worst of your life.
Your dogs and cats can also be a threat to farm animals. Most dogs have a prey drive instinct, and when they see barn cats, geese, ducks, chickens, calves and foals, that drive can kick in. Cats are predators, too and can attack surprisingly large prey if they feel the hunter?s need to stalk and capture. Unfortunately, most farm birds do not recover from such encounters.
How can you protect your animals? There are some simple steps that are very effective. Know the farm you are at. Whether you live there or are visiting, know the hazards. Identify them and make sure you keep your animals away from those places. Make sure your children and others who play with your pets know there are areas that are completely off limits and tell them where it is safe to run and play. An empty pasture is a great place for playing ball, for example, but a calving pen is not.
Farm pets should never be left unattended in the farm yard ? yours or anyone else?s?. Working farm dogs should be supervised at all times, even livestock guardian dogs need to be checked on for their welfare, as well as the welfare of the farm animals. It doesn?t take long for a dog to take down and kill a young or small farm animal. Being responsible pet parents requires us to know where our pets are, to keep them under control and to enjoy life with them. There is nothing more satisfying than a spring walk in the fields with your dogs. Your job as their guardian includes ensuring they are not put into situations where they can make tragic choices based on instinct.
Enjoy life in the country, on the farm, but don?t forget that freedom has a price. And that price, for those living in the country, is increased responsibility for ourselves, our pets and our neighbors.
Side note: farm pets and farm dogs need our care for food, water and shelter. Do not leave your farm animals without shelter during extreme weather. If they are not in the house, ensure they have a shed, barn or other safe place to go in storms or other extreme conditions. Don?t leave your dogs on chains or ropes without shelter, food, water and time with you.
Next time we?ll talk more about rural cats ? house cats, barn cats and feral cats.
Source: http://www.thepetmatchmaker.com/farm-pets-farm-animals/
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