Winter is always viewed as the most problematic season for dogs and dog owners. However, as warm and awesome as Spring is, it offers quite a few things for dog owners to watch out for as well. Here’s a quick list of the 12 potential problems you should keep in mind during the spring months if you want your dog to have a carefree, healthy and joyous time.
1. Allergens
Allergies are one of the biggest problems and annoyance for most people in the Spring. They are not just a human problem – dogs can very easily develop allergies too, and this can pose a problem both for your daily walks, as well as for the dog’s health in general.
2. Hide Your Allergy Meds
Our own allergic troubles can present a significant problem for our dogs as well. A lot of people with Spring allergies tend to buy and use anti-histamine medication. And while these are effective for us, some brands of anti-histamines are highly toxic to dogs.
3. Beware of Ticks and Fleas
Spring is also the season for heightened instances of ticks and fleas. Remember to check your pooch for these parasites after each daily walk, hikes, trip to the park.
4. Mosquitoes
There are flying parasites such as mosquitoes that can bring some problems through their bites.
5. Stash Away All Cleaning Chemicals
Spring is the time for big house cleaning, so just be mindful of where you store all cleaning products.
6. Chocolate Is Still Dangerous
Chocolates are not any more dangerous during spring than they are the rest of the year.
7. Raisins Are a No-No
Most sweets are problematic for canines, but around Easter holidays in particular, grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas rise as an issue because they can cause kidney failure in dogs.
8. Check Your Garden Plants
Whenever you are going out with your dog, make sure that he’s not eating any plants.
9. Ivy Poisoning
If your pet has eaten Ivy, you can expect symptoms such as drooling, vomiting or diarrhea.
10. Bluebells Are Not Safe Either
Eating any part of a bluebell can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and arrhythmia.
11. Remember to Vaccinate Your Dog
Vaccinations ensure that your pooch won’t get sick with any contagious diseases, as well as that he won’t infect any other canine.
12. Microchip Your Dog
After several months of winter, most dogs can become restless and have a desire for running, hunting and exploring, which can be a problem. Microchip your pooch for identification and attach a tag to their collar that’s imprinted with your home address, phone number and any other important contact information.
At Move Your Doggie our goal is to always keep your pets safe and healthy. We hope these tips have helped you ensure that your pet is ready for the spring season. At Move Your Doggie we love working with our pet parents to ensure that our walks with your pet(s) are fully enjoyed but also taken with safety and caution.
If you’re in Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa in the Durham Region and need help tending to your pet’s needs, please reach out. We offer a variety of services. Please also book your Complimentary Meet & Greet. We look forward to meeting you and your pet!