AUSTIN (KXAN) — Recent rains are slowly easing the drought, but one veterinarian worries more rain could bring out other animals that could put pets at risk. . KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bunnin spoke to the veterinarian, author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide, about concerns for pets when the weather is wetter than normal.
KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bunnin: Dr. Richter, it's finally starting to rain here in central Texas. How will it affect the animals that share habitat in our neighborhoods?
Dr. Gary Richter (Veterinarian, author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide): Well, there are other animals that live in our neighborhood. Depending on whether you live in an urban neighborhood or a little more rural, it could be a raccoon. , skunks, bats, snakes, something bigger, maybe a coyote, etc. And when it rains really heavily, you can expect these animals to move around a bit in terms of finding shelter. They too will be looking for a place to stay. This means that the incidence of potential interactions between our pets and local wildlife is actually increasing.
Banin: Why do we act differently when it rains?
Dr. Richter: Well, eventually they too will be looking for shelter, especially if it is raining heavily. The burrows in the area where they sleep are likely to flood, so they must look elsewhere. So you often notice that they are moving little by little.
Banin: And does this put our own household pets at even more risk?
Dr. Richter: This puts your pet at risk because it increases the likelihood that your pet will come into contact with wild animals. This is especially true for pets that spend time outdoors when not directly supervised. Since it is on a leash, I am not directly observing it. Maybe they're just roaming free in your yard, or maybe they're out at the dog park or something, but the chances of encountering one of these wild animals are higher. Probably.
Banin: So how can we protect our pets from these animals?
Dr. Richter: Don't leave them outdoors. Make sure your pet has its own shelter and dry area. Fences are not necessarily solid barriers, as many wild animals can climb them. And if they have a reason to feel like they want to be on the other side of that fence, there's still a chance for that to happen. Therefore, even in such cases, caution is still required.
