Pet Safety Hazards for the Spring

Finally, spring has arrived to give you and your pet a bit of relief from the cold months of winter. Your pet is undoubtedly excited to enjoy the great outdoors, but remember to keep a few safety tips in mind. Below, your Tipp City, OH vet tells you about springtime’s most common pet hazards:

Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, worms such as roundworm or heartworm… all sorts of creepy crawlies like to latch on to our companion animals this time of year. The infestations, infections, and diseases that they can lead to just aren’t worth the risk! Keep your pet safe from harm by having them wear seasonal or year-round preventive medications. Consult your veterinarian if your pet needs such medicines.

There is a long list of potentially harmful plant life for pets, including dieffenbachia, elephant ear, ivy, oleander, lilies, tulips, daffodils, rhododendron/azalea, various types of aloe plants, poinsettia plants, and much more. With your pet spending more time in your garden and around your landscaping as springtime continues, be vigilant! Remove any offending plants from your property, and ask your veterinarian about poisonous plant varieties that are common where you live.

Are you sniffling and sneezing more and more as spring rolls on? You might not be the only one suffering from seasonal allergies. Pets, too, can react to allergens such as pollen, dust, dirt, mold, and more. Fortunately, preventative steps and medication can lessen the severity of symptoms. If you think your pet is suffering from springtime allergies, contact your vet right away.

Pesticides, as well as similar products like herbicides, rodenticides, fungicides, etc., can be quite dangerous for our four-legged friends. These products can cause serious symptoms when ingested, so make sure that your pet doesn’t come into contact with any recently treated plant life or grass. Keep animals indoors when spraying chemicals, and store these products safely where pets can’t gain access.

If you’re doing some spring cleaning this year, keep in mind that many of the products you’ll use may harm your animal friend. Just about all standard household cleaning products can prove hazardous! Keep your pet elsewhere if you’re using strong chemicals, and store all cleaning products in an area where your pets can’t reach.

Would you like more great tips for keeping your pet safe during the spring? Call your Tipp City, OH animal hospital.