After being cooped up all winter, we all love getting back outdoors and that includes your pets. There are some things you need to be aware of to keep your pets safe.
After being cooped up all winter, we all love getting back outdoors and that includes your pets. There are some things you need to be aware of to keep your pets safe.
Open windows are really enticing to pets and they may jump out the window. Make sure your pet is trained or stay in the room with them when the window is open. If that’s not possible, make sure the window isn’t open wide enough for Fido to get out.
Warmer weather means more trips to the park, longer walks and more chances for your pet to wander off! Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag imprinted with your home address, cell phone and any other relevant contact information.
April showers bring May flowers—and an onslaught of bugs! Fleas are one of the more unpleasant aspects of spring. Make sure your pet is on year-round heartworm preventive medication, as well as a flea and tick control program. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a plan designed specifically for your pet.
Let Your Garden Grow—With Care
Pet parents, take care—fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides keep our plants and lawns healthy and green, but their ingredients may be dangerous if your pet ingests them. Always store these products in out-of-the-way places and follow label instructions carefully. Many popular springtime plants—including rhododendron and azaleas—are also highly toxic to pets and can prove fatal if eaten.
Check those indoor chemicals, too. Getting the house all cleaned up feels great but check the cleaners you use to make sure they are pet friendly. Products such as paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to your pets and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Carefully read all labels to see if the product is safe to use around your furry friends.
Like us, pets can be allergic to foods, dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can cause itching, minor sniffling and sneezing, or life-threatening anaphylactic shock to insect bites and stings. If you suspect Mittens has a springtime allergy, please visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.
During the winter, pets become couch potatoes just like the rest of us. Make sure they don’t overdo when they finally get to go out. Start by limiting the time spent outdoors until they rebuild their muscles.
Have any pet related tips? Leave your comments below so we can share with all of our pet lovers everywhere!
**If you suspect your pet may have come in contact with or ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately at (888) 426-4435.
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