Spring has sprung, and with the change of season, our thoughts turn to Easter festivities, spring cleaning and much-needed home improvement projects. Before you embark on seasonal chores or outdoor revelry, take inventory of the potential springtime hazards for your loved pets.
Easter Treats and Decorations
Keep lilies and candy in a safe place—chocolate candies are toxic to cats and dogs, and all true lilies can be lethal if ingested by cats. And be mindful, kitties love to nibble on colorful plastic grass, which can lead to a blocked digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration.
Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning happens in many households, but be sure to keep all cleaners and chemicals out of your pets’ way! Almost all cleaning products, even all-natural ones, contain chemicals that may be harmful to pets.
Let Your Garden Grow—With Care
Pet parents, take care—fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides keep our plants and lawns healthy and green, but their ingredients may be dangerous if your pet ingests them. Always store these products in out-of-the-way places and follow label instructions carefully. Many popular springtime plants—including rhododendron and azaleas—are also highly toxic to pets and can prove fatal if eaten.
Annoying Spring Bugs
April showers bring May flowers—and an onslaught of bugs! Make sure your pet is on year-round heartworm preventive medication, as well as a flea and tick control program.
Out and About
Warmer weather means trips to the park, longer walks and more chances for your pet to wander off! Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag imprinted with your home address, cell phone and any other relevant contact information.
