Surviving Spring: 5 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe

The weather is finally starting to warm up and all we want to do is spend as much time outside as humanly possible. Your pets are excited too and can't wait to get out and explore. With the change in weather, there also comes new threats to your pets safety. Here are 5 tips to keep in mind while enjoying the season.

​1. Poisonous plants. If your pets like to nibble on the plants in your yard or on walks, you should know which ones could be harmful to your furry pal. Some popular ones that are harmful to both cats and dogs are rhododendron, sago palm, and azaleas. You can see a full list here ASPCA.org

2. Sticks. Once the snow is melted, all the broken branches are revealed. While your dog may think, "New Toy!," you should be thinking of a way to keep them away. Sticks can cause choking or injury to the mouth and throat. If your dog loves to pick them up on walks, try bringing a favorite toy or ball to distract him instead.

​3. Spring Cleaning. Not all hazards are found outside. Some cleaning products are quite harmful, whether ingested or inhaled. Remember to always ventilate and look into purchasing all natural, pet-safe products.

4. Seasonal Allergies. They're not just for humans! For dogs, symptoms usually present as a skin condition, like a rash. So while your dog may not be reaching for the tissues, you should be aware of allergy symptoms all the same. Generally they are pretty itchy, which may include, outright scratching as well as licking or chewing their paws and rubbing their face and ears on the couch or carpet.

5. Bugs! While we may think of fleas and ticks as a seasonal issues, this is something that should be treated year-round.

Phew! So now that you know the best way to keep your pet safe this Spring, it's time to get outside and enjoy the nice weather.