Keep pets safe around trampolines

How to keep pets safe around trampolines

Pets; cat, dog, rabbit or chicken we need to make sure all pets and animals are kept safe when near trampolines.

The thing with trampolines is they don’t move, so it is when an animal finds themselves under the trampoline or forms bad habits around or on the trampoline that causes the troubles.

Some habits to avoid if possible

Cats and Naps

• If you have a pet that likes to get up on the trampoline and take a nap, this is a very cat thing to do! Be sure to tell the kids to close the enclosure zip to stop the cat getting on in the first place.
• Cats are known to, on occasion, poop on the trampoline as well – another added incentive to ensure the zip is closed when no one is on it.
• If the cat is alarmed when on the trampoline then they can run up the netting leaving their claws exposed to being caught in the netting – not ideal.

Excitable Dogs

• With dogs, they can yap around the trampoline and jump up on the netting and cause damage to the bottom of the netting. Our dog Fergus did this!
• When kids are jumping on the trampoline with a ball; this can sure excite a dog. They will then start running under the trampoline as well.
• This is dangerous while the kids are bouncing; for the potential of them bouncing down on the dog (A safety skirt can be used to keep pets out from under the trampoline).
• Dogs too have been known to do damage to the jumping mat, netting and if they can climb up onto the trampoline they can also chew the padding.

Kids and Pets

• Talk to your kids about your pets and the risks associated with pets and trampolines.
• Kids love their pets and do enjoy being able to play with them on the trampoline. This isn’t ideal for the pets.
• Often little people happily pop their little pup, kitten, rabbit or chicken on the trampoline. All is well until the jumping starts and then all craziness can break loose. It is just horrid when; a pet gets a broken back or legs from this situation.
• All in all keeping pets clear from trampolines is best.

How to manage pets around trampolines

• A way to ensure that they are kept away is putting a safety skirt around the base of the trampoline so that the dogs are unable to run around underneath.
• Informing the kids not to leave the zip open for pets to climb up and get in for a nap or a chew!
• Lock the pet in another area of the garden or tie them up whenever the kids are on the trampoline.
• I am not a pet trainer by any means so if you do have any serious issues with pets around your trampoline then contact a local animal trainer for some things to try for your exact situation.

Start these habits from day one of having your trampoline or when you get the pet, whichever is applicable to you! At the end of the day, we want both our children and pets to be able to play and be safe together outside.

• Photo - Leah Tautkute - Flickr