Spring Safety Tips for Pets: Keeping Your Furry Friends Happy and Healthy

Spring is here, and it's time to embrace the great outdoors with your loved ones, including your furry friends. However, amidst the beauty of the season, there are potential dangers that could harm your pets. To ensure their well-being, let's explore some essential spring safety tips that will allow your dog or cat to enjoy the blossoming flowers worry-free.

Outdoor Hazards

Spring Pet Allergies

Did you know that your beloved pet might have allergies to the plants and pollens that come with spring? While managing pet allergies is generally straightforward, severe or persistent cases can lead to long-term health problems. Allergies occur when your pet's immune system overreacts to certain substances, resulting in discomfort and signs such as:

• Rubbing their head on furniture or carpet
• Pawing at their face or eyes
• Excessive scratching
• Skin inflammation
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Red eyes

While there is no cure for seasonal allergies, you can take steps to reduce allergens in your home. Wipe off your pet's paws when they come indoors, and give them baths using hypoallergenic shampoo or soothing oatmeal cleansers. Additionally, consider these spring safety tips for pets:

• Wash bedding, blankets, and toys regularly, as they can trap allergens.
• Use flea and tick preventatives, which are available over-the-counter or through veterinarians.
• Utilize an air filter in the area where your pet sleeps to remove allergen particles.
• Incorporate fatty acid supplements, like fish oil, to relieve itchy skin and improve coat health.
• For dogs only, try locally-sourced honey, as it may help acclimate them to pollen and alleviate allergies.

If your pet's allergies persist, it's important to consult your veterinarian promptly, as untreated allergies can lead to infections from constant scratching or coughing.

Toxic Flowers and Plants

While we appreciate beautiful gardens, it's crucial to be aware that some plants can be harmful to our animal companions. The following flora can cause illness in pets:

• Asiatic lilies (particularly dangerous for cats)
• Azalea
• Crocus (common in spring and fall)
• Daffodils (bulbs are highly toxic)
• Day Lily (particularly dangerous for cats)
• Death Camas
• Easter Lily (particularly dangerous for cats)
• Foxglove
• Hyacinth (bulbs are highly toxic)
• Lily of the Valley
• Oleander
• Rhododendron
• Sago Palm
• Tiger Lily (particularly dangerous for cats)
• Tulip (bulbs are highly toxic)

Additionally, be cautious with fertilizers and pesticides, opting for pet-safe alternatives or organic options. Even silk flowers can pose a risk if ingested, potentially causing intestinal blockage.

Rising Temperatures

As temperatures climb, it's important to take precautions to protect your pet from heat-related issues. Conduct the pavement test by placing the back of your hand on asphalt or concrete for five seconds – if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet! Other spring safety tips for pets in hot weather include:

• Ensure pets have access to shade and keep them well hydrated.
• Provide fresh drinking water in shaded outdoor bowls.
• Prevent ants by filling outside food bowls with a few inches of water.
• Offer access to an air-conditioned space, insulated doghouse, or catio.
• Discourage your pet from drinking puddle water, as it may contain dangerous chemicals from melted snow near roadsides.

Lastly, never leave your pet unattended in a parked car, even with windows rolled down. Within just ten minutes, temperatures inside a vehicle can increase by 20 degrees.

Pet Identification

With the sun shining, you and your pet might be eager to embark on longer walks and visit nearby parks. To prepare for potential wandering, ensure your dog or cat has a microchip and wears a collar tag with your current home address and contact information.

Exercise-Related Injuries

Similar to humans, pets that have been less active during colder months should gradually increase their exercise to avoid injuries. If your pet is overweight, consult your veterinarian before engaging them in strenuous activities. Additionally, be mindful of older animals with stiff joints during chilly weather, adjusting walk lengths accordingly.

Indoor Hazards

Holiday Chocolate & Decor

Keep Easter grass, plastic eggs, and candies out of your pet's reach, as these items can cause choking or intestinal blockages. Be vigilant about chocolate and sugar-free candies containing xylitol, which can lead to liver failure or seizures in dogs.

Spring Cleaning Supplies

Unfortunately, many common household cleaning products are toxic to pets. Examples include drain cleaners, bleach, pool chemicals, furniture polish, and carpet and rug cleaners. Whenever possible, use pet-safe alternatives such as vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice. Note that these products are effective for cleaning but not disinfecting against viruses like COVID-19. If unsure about a product's ingredients, refer to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, which lists over 2,000 products meeting U.S. EPA Safer Product Standards. Products with warning labels likely contain harsh or corrosive substances. If your pet comes into contact with or ingests something toxic, contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately.

Home Improvement

Be cautious with paints and solvents, as they can be toxic and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Read product labels carefully before undertaking home projects to ensure pet-safe usage. Additionally, take care not to leave nails, staples, insulation, blades, or power tools lying around. If possible, confine your pet to a designated pet-friendly room during home improvement endeavors.

Car Rides

While your dog may enjoy the wind in their fur, it is unsafe to allow them to ride in the back of a pickup truck or stick their heads out of moving vehicles. Insects and debris can cause inner ear or eye injuries, lung infections, or harm them during sudden stops or sharp turns. If taking your pet in the car, secure them inside a crate or with a seatbelt harness.

Enjoy the outdoors with your pets and embrace the warmer weather while taking necessary precautions. By following these spring safety tips for pets, you can ensure a happy and healthy year ahead for you and your four-legged companion. If you're considering home improvement projects in this improved weather, consult your local Mortgage Advisor or visit our blog for home improvement and finance tips. Crosscountry Mortgage is here to support you throughout your homeownership journey.