Are you and your dog fed up of the dark nights, rain and cold weather? The good news is, spring is just around the corner! If you listen very carefully, you might be able to hear those clocks moving forwards, beckoning the lighter nights and warmer days! Hooray! With the change of season, there are plenty of opportunities for some springtime fun with your dog. There are also a few spring hazards for dogs to be aware of too. The aim of our blog today is to help you identify what to avoid and what you and your dog should take advantage of this spring! Ready to put a spring in you and your dog’s step?! Let's go...
WHAT TO AVOID (SPRING HAZARDS FOR DOGS!)
SPRING FLOWERS
As pet parents, it has felt like we've been subjected to mud, glorious mud and rain for a long-old time! Starting to see the fresh blooms of spring make walkies & strolls around the garden with our four-legged friends much more eye-catching and enjoyable! Whilst they can indeed be very beautiful for us humans to look at, some plants & their bulbs can harbour a hidden danger for our dogs...
There are a number of plants and bulbs to be aware of, but Daffodils and Tulips are particularly common during springtime. All parts of them are toxic but their bulbs are especially so! Be sure to keep a close eye on your dog if you have any in your garden or on your walking route. Other well-known spring hazards for dogs in the garden include Crocus and Lily of the Valley. As well as finding such flowers outside, it's possible you might be tempted to bring them into your home. If so, ensure they are placed out of the reach of your dog. Also be mindful of petals dropping on the floor. If in doubt, leave them out!
SPRING GARDENING
The spring air might also tempt your green fingers to come out to play! If you do decide to do more gardening in the spring sunshine, try to avoid the use of fertilisers and pesticides, which can also be toxic to our four-legged friends. To read more about how to make sure you have a dog-friendly garden, take a peek at our helpful blog post here.
*Should your dog digest any of these spring flowers or bulbs, consult your veterinary surgeon immediately for advice.
EASTER TREATS
With spring, comes Easter and with Easter comes lots of delicious treats. If we decide to consume our body weight in chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, the only danger is putting on a few extra pounds. If our dogs get their paws on them however, there's a more serious danger lurking for our dogs.
Hot cross buns contain raisins and sultanas which if ingested, can be poisonous to dogs. Many people don't realise chocolate is also toxic for dogs. You can read more about the dangers of chocolate in our blog post here. Should you find either of these products in your home, make sure they are stored out of the reach of your dog and don't be tempted to share any with your dog - you don't want to end up at your local vets.
If you don't want your dog to miss out on an Easter treat, fear not! There are plenty of recipes online so you can make something yummy but healthy which won't cause your dog harm. There are even special 'dog Easter eggs' which don't contain chocolate on the market too.
*As above, should your dog accidentally digest any of the treats mentioned, consult your veterinary surgeon immediately for advice.
CREEPY CRAWLIES & SNAKES
With the weather starting to warm up, creepy crawlies start to come out to play! Our dogs certainly don't want to play with fleas and ticks, so make sure you give your dog a good chance to send these beasties on their way! Warmer weather is prime breeding time for fleas etc, so be sure to regularly wash your dog’s bedding on a high heat. At least you can pop it out on the washing line in the sunshine to dry!
While traditional flea and tick treatments are available, you may want to try an alternative to help prevent them. Our Clean & Fresh Dog Shampoo can be a great deterrent as the peppermint herb has been historically used to prevent and deter parasites (they don't like the minty aroma apparently, but we do!) Garlic Fenugreek Tablets are also a great deterrent as fleas and ticks don't like the taste of the garlic in your dog’s bloodstream (they're pretty fussy, aren't they?!)
Other spring hazards for dogs can include the risk of wildlife, some of whom start to wake from their winter slumber when the spring and summer months start to appear. The European Adder is particularly common at this time of year, so keep your eyes peeled in areas where they are likely to be, for example on heathland, moors and coastal dunes. Whilst such snake bites in the UK are unlikely to be deadly, they will cause a lot of pain and distress. So if your dog is bitten by a snake, always consult your veterinary professional immediately.
WHAT YOU & YOUR DOG SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPRING!
LIGHTER EVENINGS
Oh, the lighter evenings really are so wonderful, aren't they? Not only do they have the potential to lift our moods, but they provide even more opportunities to explore the great outdoors with our dogs. We have more hours in the day and the beautiful spring sunshine provides the best backdrop.
Spending more time on walkies can be really beneficial to both you and your pet’s health. Doing so can aid weight loss, improve mood and general wellbeing so what are you waiting for? Embrace those lighter evenings together and reap the rewards!
EASTER HOLIDAYS
The Easter holidays offer a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your dog. The holidays can be a good opportunity to explore a new walking spot slightly further afield or even a new dog friendly venue to try.
You may even consider a mini staycation with your four-legged friend. There are so many great ideas out there, for example National Trust, PetsPyjamas, Canine Cottages & Dotty 4 Paws all offer some fantastic options.
If you don't fancy exploring some new walking spots with your dog, simply spending some one-to-one time with them is likely to be really appreciated by your four-legged friend. A walk to their favourite park or a visit to see their doggy friends can be a great way to enjoy the changing season too. If you have local pet parents in your area, you may want to consider arranging a Spring/ Easter walk with your dog and some of their four-legged friends. What fun!
*If you are going to travel in the car a bit longer, check out our blog post here for 4 top tips for driving with your dog.
SPRINGTIME FUN & SPRING HAZARDS FOR DOGS
So hopefully we've helped you identify some potential spring hazards for dogs. If you bear these in mind, there's no reason why you and your dog can't fully enjoy the springtime fun ahead. Hurrah! So what do you plan to do with your dog to celebrate the first signs of Spring? We'd love to hear from you...
You can also discuss using our natural calming remedies for dogs with one of our experienced advisors, please get in touch on 01308 897272 or use our contact form. Plus, get free UK delivery on orders over £50.
Please remember, you should always consult a vet if you are concerned about your pet’s health.
