Ah, spring, we've missed you! The longer days, the warmer weather, the blooming flowers, we can go on and on. As this new season brings signs of happiness and growth, we must also remember that it brings seasonal dangers for our pets. Whether you're home or out and about, there are items that we should be conscious of as responsible pet parents.

Cleaning Products

Spring is a time when we all decide to clean our homes. But did you know that some cleaning solutions can be toxic to your pets? They can irritate your fur baby’s skin or damage their gastrointestinal tract. Make sure you read labels and use items properly, or better yet use pet-safe cleaning supplies when available. If you are cleaning your home with potentially toxic chemicals, make sure to keep your pet away from the area until it is all dry.

Fleas & Ticks

It wouldn’t be spring without bugs! If your pet has strolled through tall grass or hiked in the woods, there is a chance that a flea or tick may be on them. Contact your veterinarian sooner rather than later about preventative treatments. If you notice a tick, remove it as soon as possible. Read our more thorough post about these critters.

Plants

Nothing beats a fresh green lawn during the spring. However, fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides are dangerous when ingested by pets. Keep these items out of harm’s way by storing them in a closed pantry or high shelf. When you’ve used products on your lawn, keep your pet away for at least 24 hours. Additionally, there are plants that are toxic to pets (lillies are extremely harmful to cats), so check out this list of non-toxic plants you can have in your home instead!

Around The Home

We LOVE opening our windows and letting a cool breeze fill the house. If you do too, make sure your window screens are in tact as pets may fall through or run out. Additionally, if you are celebrating the new season by making some updates to your home, keep your pets away from renovation areas as paints and solvents can lead to skin irritation.

Spring Treats and Decor

As pet parents we know that chocolate is toxic to pets, so if you have the urge to buy egg, flower, or bunny-themed treats for yourself or family make sure that everyone knows not to feed them to your pets (no matter how much they beg). Additionally, plastic grass can be harmful when ingested, so keep your nibbling pets away.

Allergies

Just like humans, pets can have allergies too. They can develop allergies to food, pollen, bugs, dust, etc. Allergies can cause itching, sneezing, swelling, and even anaphylactic shock. If you think your fur baby has a seasonal allergy, contact your veterinarian and see what course of action is best for your pet.

Other Dogs

We will all probably spend more time outdoors. If you’re like us, you’ll want to take longer walks and visit the dog park. While your pup may be trained, others might not be. When you’re out and about be mindful of other dogs and watch interactions. If your dog isn’t up to date on their vaccinations we suggest avoiding areas with groups of dogs as they can become sick.

Spring, summer, winter, or fall; as pet parents it is our responsibility to keep our fur kids safe throughout the year and be aware of any dangers the seasons possess. Always keep your veterinarians phone number saved to your contacts. If you believe your pet may have ingested a toxic substance, you can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.