Spring Pet Safety: The Seasonal Hazards Worth Knowing
We often think of spring as a reset button for the world. The weather feels nice enough to spend more time outside with our dogs and cats. However, there are a number of behavioral and environmental risks that are easy to ignore until spring problems arise.
This guide will help you identify risks that are most common in tort vet winter hospital visits and spring poison control calls, what signs to look for, and how to respond.
Fertilizers and Lawn Treatments
Your pet may be in danger after you have treated the lawn since almost all lawn care products can cause issues if ingested. Pets can be impacted by fertilizers, soil additives, and pest treatments. Pets can get stomach upset or more serious issues depending on the type and how much was ingested.
Pets and humans should avoid coming into contact with treated grass or soil and the grass or soil should be treated with caution and kept off until it is fully dry. This means all products used have specific instructions.
Pet poison hotlines and vet contact may be needed for even a small amount of an untreated soil or grass product. Pets should be kept away from all treatment products, including granulated treatment products.
Seasonal Plants and Garden Risks
Spring bulbs like tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils, if ingested, can result in reactive vomiting, increased salivation, or diarrhea. The greatest risk of toxicity comes from the bulbs, though ingestion of some leaves and flowers can lead to minor issues in some animals.
Lilies, azaleas, and rhododendrons can lead to larger issues. Lilies can induce severe reactions in cats, where even the smallest quantities of pollen (or even a small nibble of a leaf) can lead to kidney failure. Consider this if your cat has access to the garden or if you want to bring lilies into your house.
Most pets won’t touch plants, but some dogs and cats can be ‘green fingered’ and chew to relieve boredom or from curiosity, especially if there is foliage in close vicinity. If your pet is known to eat plants, stay vigilant about what is planted within reach.
Mushrooms and Wild Growth
Springtime showers can encourage mushrooms to grow in yards, parks, and walking trails, but not all mushrooms are safe. While some species can only cause minor stomach upset, others can cause severe damage to the liver or nervous system. Unfortunately, the majority of people do not posses the knowledge that is necessary to accurately identify mushrooms, and the process is very time consuming.
If you see your dog munching on a mushroom, assume that it is poisonous and take them to the veterinarian. If possible, bring in a sample of the mushroom in a paper bag or wrapped in a paper towel. There is not a lot of time to waste in reaching the vet, as some toxins act quickly.
Unlike dogs, cats are less likely to eat mushrooms, although it does happen. The same rules apply in this situation, too. If in doubt, call.
Seasonal Allergies and Skin Irritation
Just like people, cats and dogs can develop allergies to mold, grass, and pollen. They show allergies differently, though. Instead of sneezing and coughing, they itch and lick their paws. Dogs show allergies when they scratch, lick their paws, develop red patches, or get ear infections.
Allergies come and go depending on the time of year. Spring and fall are the worst because that is when pollen counts are the highest. During these times, an easier and less itchy time is achieved by washing the dog's coat and wiping his or her paws to remove pollen from your home and your dog's bedding. You can do the same for outdoor cats and brush the pollen off of them.
If your pet won't stop scratching and is uncomfortable, he or she should probably see the vet. They will recommend allergy medications, patch tests, and pet strategies to stop the itch. It is better to go to the vet early to avoid skin infections that will make the itch worse.
Pest Prevention and Product Safety
As the weather starts to warm up, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes will become active. Most veterinarians will recommend doing pest prevention before the pests become visible, as prevention will save lots of work compared to treating an infestation.
When selecting a product, be cautious. Permethrin, found in some flea treatments for dogs, is very toxic to cats. If you have a home with both species, keep treated dogs away from cats until the product is dry, and keep treatments separate.
With the coming of spring, more rodenticides and ant baits are going to be used. Pets have the ability to get into the bait boxes or eat the poisoned rodents. If you decide to use these types of products, you need to make sure that your pets will not have access to the area and consider the risk in homes that have animals that are inquisitive.
Outdoor Hazards and Warm Weather Risks
It may only be 70 degrees, but cars can heat up fast. Even on a warm spring day, take caution, it's extremely easy to overheat while driving. Vehicles can reach dangerous temperatures in minutes even if the windows are cracked, and even if you're just parked, the inside can reach dangerous levels in 10 to 20 minutes.
When the weather gets warmer, your swimming pools, ponds, and other water features can also pose dangers to your pets. Even if they're not strong swimmers, pets can fall in and struggle to get out, and many cats panic in water. It's also a misconception that all dogs can swim, so be sure that, if your dog is in the water, they are able to get out on their own, or that they know how to use the steps to get out.
During spring, snake activity also picks up in many areas, and especially if you're in a region with venomous snakes, it's best to keep your dog on a leash and avoid areas with tall grass. It's also a good idea to keep cats indoors during early morning and late evening hours when snakes are likely to be out.
Your pets will love springtime just as much as you do! Not to worry. The potential risks to pets during springtime is simple to manage. In simple terms, a few changes on your part coupled with a little awareness will go a long way in making the spring season more enjoyable, safer, and stress free for everyone!