You’ve spent most of the last several months inside, staying warm and often not around many other people. Spring brings the promise of warmer weather and more daylight hours. 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? Working 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! LET’S INSPIRE EACH OTHER BY SHARING PICS OF YOU AND YOUR FUR KID(S) RELISHING THE PROMISES OF SPRING. (this spring or spring’s past) Share your inspiring pics on our Facebook page.
There are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for a season of fun so that you can 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 or sneezing or you suspect that your pet has an allergy, check out this information and schedule a visit with the vet to identify options for relief. - Spring Cleaning
Like birthdays, which we celebrate annually, spring cleaning is also celebrated in many households. As much as we want our fur babies with us every second of every day, we need to be extra cautious when cleaning the house because the chemicals we use could be toxic. 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 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 abundant for a while, but just because we humans love a sweet treat now and again doesn’t mean it’s safe for our dogs or cats. As you likely know, chocolate is poisonous to 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, 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 lick a few pollen grains off their coats or eat a couple of leaves, cats can quickly suffer acute kidney failure. 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 eliminating those pesky weeds in your lawn? All of those activities carry inherent dangers for your pets! For example, cocoa bean mulch is toxic, and any mulch, if ingested, can result in an obstruction. Be picky with plant selection since many, like lilies, daffodils, and azaleas, are extremely dangerous to pets. And of course, keep your pet out of any area being treated with pesticides” even if the products are marked safe for pets. Click here for a more in-depth discussion. - Physical Shape
- Humans have the luxury of going to the gym in winter to stay in shape. If our pets spent the winter indoors, they may have lost muscle. Remember that your older
dogs may need to get back into outdoor shape, so maybe don’t take them on a 5-mile hike as your first outing. Here are some tips to get your pet back into shape (it will be good for you, too!).
For more information on spring safety tips for your pets, check out the ASPCA pet care safety tips.
Don’t forget to POST a picture of your 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!r specific information