Spring Care for Pets, Geelong
September 14, 2015Spring has arrived and we’re all spending more time outdoors enjoying the warmth. Spring rain will bring new growth, flowers are blooming and spring cleaning is on the calendar. As pet owners there are certain things we have to keep in mind now the weather is warming up.
Here are some Spring safety tips for you and your pets:
Out and about in Spring
After being cooped up in the house all winter, our pets want to spend more time outdoors just as much as we do.
Keep in mind that spring is also mating/breeding season for cats and dogs. Entire animals are more likely to roam and be involved in fighting or accidents. Fighting needs to be avoided at all costs due to potential injury to your pets and neighbourhood disturbances.
We highly recommend that all cats & dogs over 4-6 months of age are de-sexed, unless they are part of a breeding program to better the breed.
De-sexed pets live longer, healthier lives.
Puddles aren’t always fun for dogs
Spring rain brings flowers… and lots of puddles which can be filled with bacteria.
As the weather warms up your pet may be tempted to drink from puddles found along your walking route, but the bacteria in it can cause an upset stomach or other issues.
It’s best to steer your pet away from any tempting puddles. Instead carry a portable water bottle or other means of fresh water with you on longer walks. You pet will appreciate the quick break and fresh water as they get hot on long walks in warm weather. Keep in mind that they can’t sweat to cool off and prefer early morning or evening walks when the day is cooler.
Keep Spring Cleaning Materials Out of Reach
The chemicals in your spring cleaning supplies can be highly toxic to your pets. The best thing to do is to keep your pets away from you as you clean, and to keep all supplies in a cabinet where curious dogs and cats can’t get access.
The safest cleaning supplies will be free of:
- Ammonia
- Chlorine
- Bleach
- Paraben
- Phosphates
- Phenol
Many eco-friendly products will be safer for your pets than others because they are free from the above chemicals.
To be the absolute safest, even if you’re cleaning with products free of the above listed chemicals, you should keep pets out of your cleaning area.
If you’re unsure if a particular product is dangerous you can call us on 52482009.
Pets get seasonal allergies too
Atopy or Atopic Dermatitis is one of the most common forms of allergic skin disease in dogs.
Like human allergies, it is brought on by seasonal pollen and other airborne allergens.
However, while humans tend to get hay fever, dogs present with itchy skin or ear problems.
Affected animals persistently scratch, lick and bite to get relief. Constant scratching can lead to sores, hair loss and secondary infections.
Cats can suffer from allergic dermatitis, too, often hiding to constantly scratch and groom. Respiratory symptoms (runny nose, watery eyes or coughing, sneezing and wheezing) may also be seen in cats.
Causes of common pet allergies include: pollen from trees, grass and weeds, cleaning supplies, mold, mildew and much more.
Management of the disease can be difficult and the earlier you contact your vet the sooner we can help bring relief to your pet.
Beware of Toxic Springtime Plants
Those with green thumbs love getting into the garden during spring. It’s a beautiful time of the year and perfect for planting new plants. However, there are certain plants that are known to be toxic to pets.
Known toxic plants:
Clematis Bittersweet
Ferns Oleander
Foxglove Cyclamen
Hyacinth Sago Palm
Iris Tulip
Lily of the Valley Daffodils
Morning Glory Rhododendron
Wandering Dew All lilies
If you think your pet has already eaten a toxic plant from your garden or from a neighbor’s you should contact your vet immediately.
All parts of lily plants are toxic to pets – please do not order them from florists if you are sending flowers to a friend with indoor pets.
Keep Pets Away from Mulch, Fertilizers, Weed Killers & Snail baits
Did you know that many popular mulches are toxic to dogs and cats? Coco mulch is now sometimes available in Australia and contains the same properties as chocolate and can lead to serious medical issues if ingested. If you use this mulch please make sure pets do not have access to the garden bed.
Fertilizers and weed killers can also be extremely dangerous for your pets.
Snail bait is formulated to be attractive to garden pests but it also makes it attractive to cats and dogs. Snail bait ingestion can be fatal and is considered an emergency. Please call us immediately if your pet has eaten snail bait.
If you’re unsure if a product is okay to have in your garden please check with your vet or local garden centre.