Spring Care for Pets

Spring is officially here! It’s always great to get outside and enjoy some fresh air after a long winter. Just be sure to keep your pet’s health and safety in mind. A Burlington, ON vet offers some spring pet care tips below.

Every holiday presents its own set of hazards, and Easter is no different! Those chocolate Easter bunnies are a huge risk: chocolate is highly toxic to our furry pals. Hard candies, colored eggs, and decorative plastic grasses are also unsafe.

As soon as the weather warms up, fleas, ticks, and other critters will be looking for hosts. Protect your pet from dangerous diseases and parasites by keeping up with their vaccines and parasite control. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Many of us can’t wait to get back out to the garden. Take care, though: many flowers, such as tulips and daffodils, are toxic to pets. Other poisonous plants include bluebells, lilies, and many types of ivy. You can find more information on safe and unsafe plants at the ASPCA site here . Of course, plants aren’t the only concern. You’ll also need to be careful with chemicals, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and snail and slug pellets. Also, be sure to choose a pet-friendly ground cover. (Tip: avoid mulch, especially cocoa mulch.)

Pets can suffer from allergies, just like people can. If your furry buddy gets hay fever, take a few precautions to keep them comfy. First and foremost, talk to your vet about treatment options, such as medication. At home, dust and vacuum regularly, and change your air filters. You may also want to get into the habit of wiping Fido’s paws down before bringing him back inside.

Spring cleaning is on the agenda for lots of people at this time of year. However, many cleaning agents are toxic to pets! Your four-legged friend could ingest these chemicals just by walking through a damp spot and then licking their paws. Choose pet-safe, eco-friendly products.

Taking down storm windows and putting up screens is almost a seasonal rite of its own. Just make sure that your screens close securely. This goes double for people owned by cats. Kitties love looking out windows!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if ever we can be of assistance. As your Burlington, ON vet clinic, we’re dedicated to offering great veterinary care!