Spring Safety Tips

With the sun high in the sky and the birds singing again, it’s hard to imagine that anything can dampen the mood of a beautiful spring day. All the new life and activity can really feel like the world is waking up again but this is exactly where some of the risks lie.

Pollen allergies aren’t just something we suffer with in spring - your pets can get hayfever too! It may look a little different as symptoms differ between humans and our furry friends but it’s quite a common ailment among dogs in spring. Dogs can share in our irritated eyes, runny nose and sneezing so some symptoms are easy to spot. Another common symptom for dogs suffering from hayfever is itchy sore skin that can occur anywhere on their body. You might notice red skin and areas of hair loss where they’ve scratched themselves enough to cause balf patches. Respiratory issues are common as well like laboured breathing and they can shake their head a lot because they’re feeling irritated and run down.

To help understand if your poorly pooch could be suffering from a pollen allergy, it’s good to know the seasons when you can expect different pollens to be in the environment. There are different forms of pollen your pooch can be sensitive to including tree pollen, grass pollen and flower pollen that all appear around different months. Knowing when they started to suffer from symptoms will help when you take your pooch to the vet to give you a better idea of what they’re sensitive to. A vet can prescribe antihistamines to your pup to help combat symptoms.

Throughout winter we tend to forget about the risks certain pesky insects pose but spring brings new life and with that new life comes the presence of bees and wasps. You might have forgotten they existed in the colder months when sighting them is rare but suddenly they’re swarming around the newly flowering plants in the park or chancing their luck to see what you’ve planted in the garden this year. A sting or a bite from an insect isn’t always a great cause for concern but it is always a good idea to talk to your vet if you think your pooch has been stung. A dog bee sting may not be too noticeable at first, especially if you aren’t there to witness the sting itself. You might just notice that your pup seems particularly irritated by something and is licking or scratching at one particular area. The stringer may be left behind so it’s important to check them over and remove the sting carefully if it’s still there.

A dog wasp sting will not leave any signs behind but swelling and redness where the sting occurred. You may be able to treat a sting to their skin at home but a call to your vet will help to clarify the best course of action. If you think your curious pup has tried to catch a wasp and been stung in the mouth, you should take them to the vet right away. Stings to the mouth can cause swelling which will make it difficult to swallow. Dogs, like humans, can have a mild reaction to a sting or if they’re allergic it can be life threatening so if your pup has a history of allergic reactions to stings, get them checked as soon as possible.

If your canine companion likes to chase bees and wasps in the warmer months, they should always be supervised out in the garden.

Not only do you need to look out for flying pests that can cause your pooch harm but spring is the time of year when a lot of plants flower and not all are positive for your puppy. If you go shopping in early spring you might see a lot of daffodils being sold and in many places, especially Wales where they are the national flower, they grow everywhere. Daffodils are toxic to dogs if they eat the flower or bulb or even drink from the water they’ve been sat in so if you want to have daffodils in the house they should be kept well out of the way. Several other flowers and plants that grow in spring are dangerous to your beloved pet, some of these include:

●      Bluebells

●      Tulips

●      Foxglove

●      Buttercups

●      Elderberry

You won’t always catch them in the act of eating them but if you see any symptoms of poisoning and suspect they’ve eaten something, you should take them to the vet. Being able to give your vet an idea of what they might have eaten or how much is helpful and the best way to avoid plant or flower poisoning is to avoid having them in the garden or house altogether. 

Spring is often when everyone does a big spring clean of the house to get rid of the must of winter. The days are brighter and you want to enjoy a home that smells as fresh as the mown grass outside or the freshly flowering plants. It’s a great idea to give the house a thorough going over ready for the warm weather but doing a spring clean with pets will need to look a little different than in pet free homes. Many cleaners geared towards spring cleaning have harsh chemicals in them to tackle dirt quickly and effectively but can cause some serious side effects in your canine companion.

To avoid causing discomfort or harm to your furry family member you just need to use pet safe cleaning products. They are just as good at banishing dirt and leaving your house smelling fresh with none of the risks of other products.

With the warmer weather, you might feel inclined to eat outdoors on a picnic or have a barbeque in the garden but this often makes food easier to pinch for your pooch. If you’re eating outdoors you should be aware of the kind of food that is toxic to your fluffy friend and keep them well out of the way to avoid causing stomach upsets. You can be the most careful puppy parent but there are going to be other people who have the same idea and may not be as careful about clearing away after them or making sure their picnic is puppy proof. In spring it is more common to come across abandoned food out on walks so you should keep your pooch close if they’re likely to grab anything they come across.

In areas that are popular picnic places you may want to keep your dog on a shorter lead and only let them off once you’re safely away from them, especially if there are people actively outside eating their lunch. Spring is a great time of the year when you get to start going on better walks and enjoying the weather with your pooch. Once you know what you’re looking for to keep them safe, you can get back into the swing of things and have fun.

Spring into action this season with all of your furry friends’ essentials found in store and online!