It is officially the beginning of spring and warmer weather! Our pets are just as excited as we are to start spending longer days in the sun and playing. From hanging out with our beloved pets in the yard, taking long hikes, or doing home improvement projects, here are some pet safety tips for the spring season.
Spring Cleaning
While spring cleaning helps us reset our homes for the warmer months, being aware of what products we use can help prevent possible health problems for pets. Some cleaners, such as soaps, bleach, and polish, can irritate your pet’s skin. If ingested, they can cause gastrointestinal damage and possibly be toxic.
Finding pet-safe pet cleaning products, such as vinegar, can help avoid any potential issues with your cleaning routine.
Gardening and Plants
With longer days, getting out and making your garden and lawn look beautiful is great! Choosing pet-friendly plants for your garden can be the easiest way to avoid worrying about ingestion issues. But it’s also important to keep an eye on your pets while they are outside so they do not ingest large leaves or stems that can cause choking or intestinal tract damage.
Fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides that help keep outdoor plants healthy can also contain dangerous chemicals for pets. However, when fertilizers are diluted with enough water and dirt, they should be reasonably safe for pets, so follow those instructions closely.
Screens and Doors
As we defrost from the cold winter months, the best feeling is opening your windows and letting a cool spring breeze drift through the house. Ensure you are checking your screen doors and windows to ensure there isn’t any wear and tear or holes that may have happened throughout the winter. You can also reinforce screens with sturdier screening to stop curious pets from pushing them out and running.
Parasites
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes carrying several diseases are most active during the warmer months. Ticks can even be active when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, it is important to keep your pet on year-round prevention, but it is even more critical during warmer weather to protect during the more active months.
Pet Identification
No one wants to think about their pet potentially going missing, but taking steps and being prepared with proper pet identification can help bring your pet back home sooner. Microchipping is essential for identification, but not everyone who finds your pet can access the scanner needed to get your contact information. That is also why having a collar with ID tags with your home address, cell phone, or other contact information is crucial. In the unfortunate event that your pet goes missing, please get in touch with your local authorities and shelter to file a missing pet report so they can reunite you if someone turns the pet into their services.
Allergies
Pets are just like us when the weather changes in the spring and may also be susceptible to allergies. Watch out for itching, minor sniffles, and sneezing. If you have concerns about any symptoms or allergies, please contact your veterinarian to help relieve them of the springtime allergens.
The warmer weather is perfect for getting out and having fun with your pet. Remember these tips when starting your springtime routines so everyone can safely enjoy the longer days coming our way!