Although Mother Nature gave us a little hit of cold weather over the weekend, spring has sprung, and all of us – including our pets – are spending more time outside. Our friends at The Welcome Waggin’ share tips for how to keep your four-legged friends safe this spring:

Insect bites and stings
Although most pets recover without incident from a wasp, spider, or ant attack, some can develop allergic reactions that cause swelling, distress, and breathing difficulties.

Plant toxicities
When planning your springtime planting, avoid plants that can be toxic to your pet. Common spring flowers that are dangerous for pets include lilies, azaleas, and daffodils. If ingested, toxic plants typically cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy and may also lead to tremors and convulsions. When in doubt about a plant’s safety, check online to find out which plants are toxic to pets.

Allergies
Many pets are hypersensitive to pollens, grasses, molds, and other springtime allergens and can develop itchy skin, ear infections, anal gland issues, and more after exposure. Without prompt treatment for seasonal allergy flares, pets can chew themselves raw or develop an ear hematoma from excessively shaking their head.

Exposure to lawn and garden chemicals
While you may want the greenest lawn on the block, fertilizer, herbicide, and other chemicals can be extremely hazardous to your pet. As they walk through the grass or garden, chemicals cling to their fur, which they then ingest when they groom. Signs of lawn and garden chemical ingestion can include salivation, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle spasms, hyperthermia, and seizures.

Improper parasite prevention
As temperatures rise, parasite populations soar. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes come out of hiding to feast upon your pet, making parasite prevention critical. Always use a veterinary-recommended preventive that is formulated for your pet’s weight and species. Mistakenly administering dog flea prevention to a cat can be deadly, so always verify that the right pet gets the right medication.

Have a happy and safe spring season!

For more information, visit The Welcome Waggin’ website.