From flowers to warm weather, spring ushers in all kinds of changes.
Yet not all of these are welcome changes when it comes to your pet. But knowing what dangers they should avoid can go a long way toward keeping your furry friend safe. Here are the top 10 springtime pet dangers worth being aware of.
- Windows with no screens. Who doesn’t love a fresh spring breeze? However, a wide open window offers an easy escape route for pets—so either keep windows closed or pop some screens in them.
- More time outdoors. This is definitely a good thing so long as your pet is microchipped and wears a tag in case he or she gets loose.
- Fleas. Warm weather brings out fleas and other bugs, so make sure your pet has the right flea/tick and heartworm medications.
- Indoor chemicals. Spring cleaning is great for your house, but not always so great for your pet. Read all cleaning labels to make sure they are okay to use when you have pets in the home.
- Outdoor chemicals. Many lawn treatments can be harmful to pets. Store these items out of reach of your pets, follow all directions and consider keeping your pets off treated areas for several days.
- Toxic plants and flowers. Both indoor and outdoor plants and flowers can be toxic to pets. Check this list to get a complete idea of which plants and flowers to avoid depending on which pet(s) share your home.
- Home improvement tools. If you plan on doing some home improvement this spring, it’s a good idea to keep your pets in a separate room while the work is going on. Power tools, as well as small screws, nails, blades and more, can put them in danger.
- Allergies. Just like their human owners, dogs and cats can develop allergies to pollen, dust, flowers, plants and bees. Signs of an allergic reaction include itching, sniffling and sneezing. Allergies can be life threatening in some circumstance, so call your vet ASAP if you notice any of these symptoms.
- Snakes. There are 20 varieties of venomous snakes in the United States—and they’re found in nearly every state. Keep an eye on your pet when they’re outdoors, and get them to a vet ASAP if they get bit.
- Too much exercise. After many months of being cooped up , your pets may do too much, too soon when they rediscover the great outdoors. Help prevent exercise-related injuries by starting slow and limiting the time spent outdoors until they rebuild some lost muscle tone.
If your pet runs into trouble, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline® at 855-764-7661.
