Earlier this year, my husband and I added to our merry band of cats by adopting a little tabby kitten, who we named Iggy. Iggy fits in perfectly with our family and reminds us daily of the many benefits of having pets, such as the companionship they provide, the sense of purpose they give to those caring for them, and the increase of activity some pets need through daily walks or play time. These pet ownership benefits can translate into reduced stress and anxiety levels and the increase of oxytocin in our bodies (both animal and human!).
Due to some injuries that Iggy sustained prior to his adoption, he is partially blind and sometimes struggles with his depth perception. For the most part, this does not slow him down one bit, except that he tends to stick very close to his favorite humans, which in turn creates potential fall hazards for us and our guests. Pets can cause falls for any age, but one study shows that older adults are more likely to sustain a fracture due to a pet-related fall injury. Dogs are more likely than cats to cause falls – 88% of pet-related falls were attributed to a dog, which include tripping over the dog or its toys, falling during a walk, or being pushed or pulled by a dog. Because most cats do not require a walk outside, most cat-related falls are due to individuals tripping over a cat.
If you are looking to add a furry member to your family soon, here are a few suggestions to keep from (literally) falling head over heels with your pet:
- Never step over your pets! If your pet in laying in your walkway, have them move rather than stepping over them.
- Use a nightlight or flashlight if you will be moving around in the dark. This will help you locate your pets before you start walking and reduce the risk of falling over them.
- Put a bell on your pet to alert you if they are near when you are moving. While I was growing up, we would hang our dog’s ID tag and license tag from their collar, which would jingle when they walked.
- Consider obedience training, especially if you are adopting a young puppy or a large breed dog. This can help teach your dog not to pull on a leash when out for a walk and not to jump up on you or others when standing.
- Keep pet supplies and toys out of walkways. If your pet causes any spills with their food or water dish, be sure to clean it up immediately.
Written By: Jessica Lowe, FCS Educator, Pickaway County, OSU Extension, lowe.495@osu.edu
Reviewed By: Dan Remley, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition, and Wellness, Ohio State University Extension
References:
The health benefits and risks of PET ownership. Harvard Health. (2016, February 19). https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-and-risks-of-pet-ownership
Ohio Department of Aging. (n.d.). Pets and Falls. Health & Safety. https://aging.ohio.gov/care-and-living/health-and-safety/fall-prevention/pets-and-falls
Stevens, J. A., Teh, S. L., & Haileyesus, T. (2010). Dogs and cats as environmental fall hazards. Journal of Safety Research, 41(1), 69–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2010.01.001
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