Ahh, springtime, when the cold grasp of winter is finally fading away, and we can actually enjoy our time spent outside. Spring is a time when pets and owners alike can finally get outside and stretch their legs and have some fun! With all the joyous things that spring brings there are also some hazards that owners should be aware of to keep their little furry friends safe.
Mushrooms
In the warmer weather mushrooms might spring up in your backyard and in local parks. It is important to make sure your pets aren’t eating these as they can be quite toxic and cause gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. To help make sure this doesn’t happen do a quick sweep of your backyard and pick any mushrooms you might see growing there.
Parasites
Spring is the time when ticks, fleas and other little creepy crawlies come out and attach themselves to us and our pets. Ticks can come out when temperatures reach 5 degrees Celsius and above. It is important to talk with your veterinarian about the different types of prevention you can acquire and which one would be the best fit for your pets.
Toxic Lawn Treatments
When out and about your pet might decide they would like to have a little snack on some grass which is usually harmless unless it has some sort of lawn treatment on it. A lot of these brands have toxic chemicals in them that can cause seizures, vomiting, and even possibly death. It is vital that if you plan to use any sort of treatment to make sure your pets steer clear of the area.
Lilies
If you are unable to have a garden for some reason in the springtime, you might want to bring it inside and have some plants around your home, but if you own cats it’s important to note that lilies of any type are fatal to our little pals. It only takes a leaf or two or even the pollen to cause severe liver failure in a cat.
Allergies
Thanks to pollen and other environmental allergies, just like with humans, when springtime rolls around your pets can have allergies. Although your pet can get seasonal allergies just like humans, unlike us their allergies won’t be so much of having a runny nose and red eyes, they will become very itchy. Some other common signs to look out for are, swollen paws/chewing paws, sneezing, and itchy ears/ear infections. Consult your veterinarian right away if you think your pet is suffering from allergies of any type.
Outside
With the warmer weather pets are starting to be outside a lot more and thus increasing the chance of them being lost. You can increase the chances of them coming home by micro-chipping your pets. Micro-chipping is a very easy procedure which a minuscule microchip is planted under your pet’s skin with a unique number that shelters and vet clinics can scan and see your information to return your furry friend to you.
Cleaning products
It’s that time of year again the one we all love… not! Spring cleaning! A time to throw out the old and welcome in the new. Along with all the cleaning, we do we have to keep in mind the dangers of the products we use that can harm our pets. Most cleaning products are extremely dangerous and toxic to animals and using and storing them properly is a very big responsibility. Keep them locked away or up high so your pets can’t accidentally ingest any of them. When using any type of cleaner, be sure not to leave the area unsupervised until everything is properly wiped up and dry as your curious pet might end up taking a lick at it and can get very sick.
Overheating
Keeping pets cool is very important now that the weather is getting nicer and you will be spending more time outside with them. Providing them with lots of water and a shady place to lie down is the perfect way to cool a hot pup off after having fun in the sun! A good trick to remember is if you can’t keep your palm on the sidewalk for more than 10 seconds then it might be too hot to take your dog for a longer walk. Remember no matter how long, an animal should never be left alone in a car on a hot day, they can overheat very quickly, and it potentially can be fatal.
Leashes
While out walking your dog it is important to keep them on a leash at all times especially in the city as there are many busy roads with cars on them. Your dog might be very loyal and friendly that you might think that they don’t need a leash but you never know about other dogs they might not listen that well to their owners or could be nervous around other dogs that get too close. For the safety of all involved, it is better to keep your dog on a leash.
Window Screens
Now is the time of year we can brush the dust off our windows and open them for some fresh air! As it has been awhile since we have been able to have our windows open now is a good time to check your screens and make sure they are secure and have no holes are in them. All it takes is one bird or squirrel to pique the interest of our feline friends and away they go, right through the screen after their prey.
Keeping in mind all these hazards it is also important to just go out and enjoy yourself! You should be having fun while also being careful and mindful of potential dangers. Spring is the perfect type of weather where it’s not too hot or cold out to do activities so take advantage of this time with your fur babies to make some memories that will last years to come!
Written by Maddison Smith, Animal Care Assistant