8 Ways to Get Your Pet Ready for Spring

If you were sorely disappointed this year when the groundhog saw his shadow, you’re not alone. Six extra weeks of winter is enough to make anyone groan, human or pet. Thankfully, we made it through and sunnier days are on their way! As springtime rolls in, great adventures with your pet are sure to follow.

To ensure the best spring possible, here are eight tips to keep your pet safe in the changing weather.

1. Beware of outdoor chemicals. As the weather gets nicer and nicer, people will start tending to their lawns again. Many chemicals found in lawn treatments and fertilizers can cause damage to your pet’s paws and even vomiting if ingested. Wash your pet’s paws after every walk or outdoor adventure, and keep an eye on your little friend to make sure they aren’t chewing on any grass. A healthy pet is a happy pet!
2. Regularly brush their coat. This is great for the animal, as it removes dandruff and dead hair, but will also save much of your furniture! When the warmer weather starts rolling in, pets will start to lose their winter coats. Regular grooming will help minimize shedding, keeping your house cleaner and your pet more comfortable overall.
3. Start or continue heartworm prevention. Unfortunately, as we all know, warmer weather also brings bugs. As mosquito season inches closer, make sure to put your pet on some type of heartworm preventative if you haven’t already. Heartworm defense is a good idea year-round, but mosquitos because most prevalent in warm weather, so now more than ever is the time to arm your pet.
4. Keep up with flea and tick control. Just like heartworm-carrying mosquitos, fleas and ticks are much more prevalent in the warmer weather. With springtime approaching, your pet will probably be spending much more time outdoors. If you don’t keep your pet on a year-round flea control, now’s a good time to talk to your vet about the different tablets and rinses available to keep your pet safe.
5. Keep an eye out for allergies. Humans aren’t the only ones who suffer seasonal allergies. Animals are also sensitive to the changing environment, as flowers, trees, and grass start to bloom. Unlike people who deal with allergies through our respiratory systems, animals express allergic reactions through their skin. While there isn’t a preventative measure to be taken, vets can prescribe a simple antihistamine should your pet come down with an allergy. Be on the look out for telltale signs like excessive scratching.
6. Do some work on your yard. If you have a fence, it may have gotten damaged during the icy winter. Repair any holes or loose boards before letting your pet outside. Additionally, take some time to check for any new plants that may have sprouted in your yard as the days get sunnier. Many common flowers like daisies are actually toxic to pets, so find a way to keep your pet away from them. If you’re unsure what plants are harmful to animals, you can check here!
7. Check collars and tags. Your pet may have put on some weight over the winter, which is understandable! Before letting them roam outside, be sure that their collar still fits around their neck and hasn’t frayed at all. While you’re at it make sure you still have your pet’s tags and that they’re readable. Your pet will probably want to spend quite a bit of time outside now that it’s getting warmer, so take the extra minute to make sure they’re best protected.
8. Ease into exercise. Winter makes most of us, pets included, want to curl up with our favorite blanket and nap. It’s totally normal if your pet doesn’t get back into the swing of things right away. Your little friend might have some winter weight to shed, or maybe their joints are still a little stiff from the chilly weather. Either way, let your pet tell you what they’re ready for being jumping into activity full force. Shorter walks might be a good idea starting out until your pet has really shaken off the winter lazies.

How do you get your pet ready for spring? Leave a comment and let us know?