You’ve spent most of the last several months inside, staying warm, and oftentimes not around many other people. Now that Spring is just around the corner maybe you’re starting to think about all the fun activities you want to do with your fur buddies the second the weather breaks. Should you go camping? Shopping? Swimming? Work out? Go to the beach? Take a hike? Have a picnic? Go on a road trip?
WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN’T WAIT TO DO! SEND A FAVORITE PHOTO OF YOU AND YOUR FUR KID(S) FROM NOW OR A PREVIOUS SPRING. We’ll create a post of pets and their people “Spring-ing” into action!
Here are also a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for a season of fun so that you’re able to continue doing your favorite activities with your fur kids for many years to come.
Allergies
Just like humans, animals can have seasonal allergies (or be allergic to specific foods, dust, plants, etc). If you notice your dog or cat suddenly itching, sneezing, or you suspect that your pet has an allergy, check out this info and get them scheduled with the vet to identify options for relief.
Spring Cleaning
Just like our birthdays are something we celebrate on an annual basis, so is spring cleaning for many households. As much as we want our fur babies with us every second of every day, we need to be extra cautious when we’re cleaning the house because the chemicals we’re using could be toxic for them. Nearly all cleaning products, even natural ones, contain some chemicals that can harm them. Click here to check on yours.
Flea & Tick Season
As the temperatures start to rise, so do occurrences of fleas and ticks. Make sure to stay up-to-date with your preferred flea prevention, and if you’re spending time out walking through wooded areas, hiking or camping, make sure to check Fido often for ticks. Should you find one, here's what to do.
Candy
With Easter and other holidays right around the corner, we know that candy is in abundance for a while, but just because we humans love a sweet treat now and again doesn’t mean that it’s safe for our dogs or cats. As you likely know, chocolate is a poison for animals and should never be given to them. With Easter baskets, so many chocolates come wrapped in shiny aluminum or in a bed of fake grass, both of which are very tempting for cats. Whether through poisoning or obstruction, Easter goodies can be fatal!
Plants
While Easter Lilies have a wonderful fragrance and hold fond memories for many of us, they can be DEADLY to cats! Even if they just lick a few pollen grains off their coats or eat a couple of leaves, cats can suffer acute kidney failure within a very short period of time. If this occurs, immediate treatment is critical!
Your Yard
Are you chomping at the bit to clean up, mulch and plant your flower beds? What about weeding your lawn? All of those activities carry inherent dangers for your pets! For example, cocoa bean mulch is toxic and any type of mulch if ingested can result in an obstruction. Choose your plants wisely since many, like lilies, daffodils, and azaleas, are extremely dangerous to pets. Keep your pet out of areas being treated with pesticides—even if the products are marked “safe for pets”. Click here for a more in-depth discussion.
More Information
For more information on spring safety tips for your pets, check out the ASPCA pet care safety tips.
Don’t forget to email a photo of a favorite shared Springtime activity! Let’s put together some media to show the rest of the world how pets and their people bring Spring in with gusto!