How your pets can attract wild animals to your home

Pets are beloved animals that are a significant part of the lives of individuals and families. The common pets such as dogs and cats serve different purposes, from companionship to keeping critters at bay. One aspect of pet ownership that is not commonly considered is how they can attract wild. Live wild animals, as well as dead animals, can pose a threat to your pets. We consider how pets could be drawing wild animals to your home in this article.

Pets entice wild animals

Rodent pets could entice wild animals to infest a property. Rodents are natural foods of wild animals such as snakes and weasels. If rodent pets escape from their cages and enclosures and enter other parts of your house, they may just lead snakes to your home.

This is why all rodent pets, from hamsters to mice, should be carefully kept in well-secured cages and enclosures. Your rodent pet’s escape could mean danger for the pet and an invitation to wild animals.

Birds can also attract wild animals to your home. Birds are part of the diet of animals such as coyotes, deer, chipmunks, and snakes. You could attract these critters to your home by only keeping your bird by the window. If your bird escapes from an unsecured cage, it could also lead its natural predators to your home.  

Wild animals could be attracted to a property based on the simple activities associated with caring for pets. The way you feed your pets could invite the critters into your home. Feeding pets outside can draw different wild animals to your property. Even the smallest food crumbs can attract rodents, and once an infestation occurs, you will need to find help to remove them as soon as possible. To keep the critters away from your property, feed your pets indoors. If you must feed your pets outdoors, be sure to remove all leftover food afterward. You could also opt for feeding your pets in a kennel or coop.

Bird feeders also attract wild animals. When getting bird feeders, opt for those that are highly inaccessible to the different critters. Hummingbird feeders, which release food in liquid form, is one of such bird feeders. You can make bird feeders inaccessible to wildlife such as squirrels and other rodents by hanging it out of their reach.

Pets and dead animals

If your pets roam freely on your property, they can easily encounter dead animals. Thus, dead animals can pose a threat to your pets, a danger that can directly affect you. The carcasses of wild animals carry different types of diseases. Your pets can contract diseases from their encounter with dead animals and bring the diseases back to you.

When pets mark their territory

Dogs and cats are natural hunters with good predatory tendencies. In this way, the critters discourage the presence of wildlife. Cats especially discourage the presence of different rodents. They are the natural enemies of rats and mice and can help control them and prevent their infestation. Cats and dogs also mark their territories with their feces, urine, and other natural effluents.

By marking their territories, pets help to keep away smaller pests. But the way cats and dogs mark their territories could also attract larger wild animals to an area. As your pets mark their territories, they could invite coyotes and foxes to compete for their territories. When your pets have attracted wildlife pests to your property, the best option is to contact a professional wildlife removal company like Active Animal Removal for help.

When keeping pets, the pet, and your entire household’s safety are essential features you should consider. The safety of your pets from wild animals depends on your efforts to keep the wild critters away. These efforts should also include reducing the natural abilities of pets to attract wild animals to your home.

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