5 Tips For Keeping Your Pets Healthy This Spring

5 Tips For Keeping Your Pets Healthy This Spring

Spring has sprung and for our pets this means lots more time spent playing and exploring in the great outdoors. Of course, you want to see your pets enjoying themselves during the warmer seasons. However, it is important to be aware that more activity and outdoor time means an increase in potential risks to their health. Bring yourself up to speed with these tips, and you will be able to protect your pet while they bound and leap around in the fresh spring air.

• Take your pet for a check-up

Before your pet starts spending more and more time outside, it is a good idea to take him or her for a check-up with your vet. They will examine your pet and let you know if there are any pet prescriptions that you may need to organise to deal with any health issues they have picked up on. You could also take this opportunity to ask your vet if they have any further resources they can direct you to for advice on taking care of your pet during the spring time.

• Avoid street food

 Dogs, and some cats, have a habit of eating anything they find that looks and smells remotely edible. As the weather warms up, it is important to do your best to prevent your pet from sampling any food they sniff out in the garden, parks or on the street. The heat increases the risk of parasites living and breeding in these scraps, and these will infect your pet if the item is ingested.

• Attempt to control hyper behaviour

 You may notice that when the weather starts to warm up, your pet will experience a surge in energy. After a long period of low activity during the winter, they are desperate to get out and be active. However, when they are over excited, this can lead to injury or even running off and getting lost. If your pet is hyperactive, keep close by you in your garden or on a leash until they calm down. Make sure your garden is secure so that they can’t run off if distracted by a bird or butterfly, for example.

• Be prepared for common infections

 More time spent outside, increased activity and greater contact with other animals are all contributing factors to the spread of worms, ticks, and fleas. These are common problems that affect many domestic pets, so it is a good idea to be well prepared for potential infections. Use preventative medications to reduce the risk of you pet contracting these illnesses.

• Be vigilant around toxic plants

Your pet will be attracted to the look and smell of the spring flowers in your garden and parks. However, some of these plants are poisonous to pets if ingested. It’s sensible to prevent your pet from consuming any plant, whether toxic or not. Use netting around plants in your garden and keep your dog on its leash whenever you are near flower beds in parks.

Now that you are well prepared to keep your pet happy and healthy during spring, it’s time for you both to get outside and enjoy this beautiful season.

Have fun and be safe!