Top tips for pet owners during spring

As the weather gets warmer your cat or dog will be able to enjoy more time outside, our top tips for pet owners during spring help with hazards at this time of year.

Like most seasons, spring presents some challenges for pets and these top tips for pet owners during spring highlight some to avoid. As a pet owner you will understand that it is important to ensure that your pet stays safe during this time to prevent an unwanted trip to your local vet. Although you can’t watch your pet 24 hours a day, there are some things to look out for to ensure that they stay safe and healthy during this season.

To help keep your pet safe and healthy, we share some top tips for pet owners during spring:

Human food

Although it’s nice to enjoy a chocolate treat during Easter, chocolate is toxic for dogs and should not be given to them. Be sure to keep all chocolate treats away from your dog and don’t let them pick up any scraps from the floor or off other family members. When you are eating your Easter eggs, keep some of your dog’s favourite treats to hand to stop them from begging and prevent you from being tempted to give them some.

Cold water

Despite the weather being slightly milder, the water in lakes and streams will still be too cold for your pet. Don’t let your dog jump in, as the shock of the cold water could cause them to freeze up and struggle to swim or cause them to develop hypothermia.

Spring-cleaning

Be aware of household cleaning products and don’t leave them lying around the house for your pet to sniff out. Commercial cleaning products, almost without exception, contain chemicals that are toxic to your dog or cat. To prevent any problems try switching to non-toxic household cleaning products.

Garden hazards

Be aware of hazards in the garden for your pet. This includes slug pellets, as they are toxic to your pet and could cause illness if swallowed.

Spring flowers and plants

Some spring flowers are also toxic to pets and if swallowed could cause your pet to become unwell. Spring flowers and plants you should look out for include:

• Tulips
• Lilies
• Chrysanthemums
• Foxgloves
• Daffodils
• Hyacinths
• Rhododendrons
• Hydrangeas

If you think that your cat or dog has eaten any of these, you should contact your vet immediately.

Vaccinations

Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date to safeguard them from Parvo or any other contagious diseases. Warmer weather and more contact with other pets could encourage these types of diseases to spread, so be sure to keep your dog protected.

Allergies

Just like you, your pet may need support for dry, itchy or sensitive skin, which could be caused by grass, pollen or even plants. To prevent your pet from scratching all through spring, speak to your vet early to lessen the severity and give early relief. Ask your vet about Nutracoat, which is specifically formulated to calm sensitive skin and reduce itching and scratching.

Grooming

Brush your cat and dog regularly to remove any excess hair that they will start to shed. This will also help to keep your pet’s coat free from dirt and distribute natural skin oils that help to make their coat shiny. Grooming your pet will also give you an opportunity to look out for fleas and ticks and maintain a healthy coat and skin. It will also help to prevent fur balls from building up in your cat’s stomach.

Bedding

To help maintain your pet’s healthy skin, be sure to keep your cat or dog’s bedding clean, as during this time they may shed more fur than usual. This will also help to reduce the amount of fur and dirt around the house.

Clean feet

During spring walks the weather might not always be dry and with rain comes mud. After your dog has been for a walk, be sure to clean their paws to prevent the mud from drying and getting stuck between their toes and tangled up the fur.

Flea prevention

As the weather starts to warm up and alongside the central heating still being on in some homes, fleas can become a nuisance for you and your pet if not treated properly. Be sure to keep up with your pet’s flea treatment to help maintain their healthy skin and coat. Remember to also treat areas in the home where your pet likes to sleep or sit, as well.

Close windows

As the weather gets warmer, be careful not to leave windows open that your cat or dog can jump or fall out of.

Exercise

If your dog has been particularly inactive during the winter season, make sure you ease them back into their exercise routine. Start off slow to help rebuild muscle tone before engaging in strenuous outdoor activities.

To help maintain your pet’s health during this season, or think that they might have eaten something that they shouldn’t have, consult your vet who is the best resource to ensure the health and wellbeing of your cat or dog. Ask your vet about Nutravet products such as Nutraquin+, Nutrabio and Nutracoat, which can help to maintain the health of your pets during this time of year.