Squirrel Appreciation Day
Did you know that January 21st is National Squirrel Appreciation Day? We’re guessing you probably didn’t. And, although your dog or cat won’t know about this cute holiday either, there’s a good chance that your furry pal is actually quite fascinated by squirrels. Here, a Lakeville, MN vet discusses pets and squirrels.
Squirrel Chasing
Some dogs just can’t seem to resist lunging after squirrels. Fido has been known to haul his owners behind him trying to get to squirrels. This bad habit can be quite dangerous! To teach Fido not to pull you, change direction every time he pulls on his leash. Training can get a bit tedious, but it will be well worth it in the end.
Yard Patrol
Does your canine buddy have a yard to patrol? If so, there’s a good chance that Fido will spend a lot of his outdoor time chasing squirrels. This is super cute, but it shouldn’t be your pet’s only outdoor amusement. Offer your pup some fun toys, or make him a doggy play zone.
Parasite Control
Squirrels can carry fleas and ticks, which can then transmit dangerous diseases or other parasites to your pet. Be sure to keep up with your pet’s vaccines and parasite control products!
Hunting
Although our feline friends’ hunting prowess was very much valued in the past, nowadays, cats don’t have to earn their keep by hunting small animals. However, Fluffy apparently hasn’t realized this yet: many furballs really enjoy proudly presenting their owners with ‘gifts.’ If you have a furry little hunter on your hands, keep your adorable predator inside. Cats kill billions of birds and small animals every year, which puts extra strain on already-endangered wildlife populations. Offer your ferocious feline a catnip squirrel instead.
Entertainment
Have you ever noticed your cat looking out the window and making an odd clacking sound? Kitties sometimes do this when they are watching small animals that they would hunt in the wild. (Note: we’re actually not sure exactly why our feline friends do this: it’s just one more thing to add to the list of Fluffy’s adorable quirks.) If your pet likes looking out the window, offer her a comfy window seat so she can nap sunbathe, and spy on birds and squirrels. Instant purr!
Please contact us, your Lakeville, MN vet, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!
