Spring is finally here, and it's time to enjoy the beautiful weather and outdoor activities with your furry friends. However, with spring comes new challenges for pet owners, including seasonal allergies, pests, and changes in diet and exercise routines. To ensure your pet's health and happiness this spring, here are some essential springtime pet care tips to keep in mind.
Schedule a vet visit
First thing to do in spring is to schedule a vet appointment for your pet. Your vet can ensure that your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and preventative care, such as heartworm medication and flea and tick prevention. They can also address any concerns you may have about your pet's health and provide recommendations on diet and exercise.
Protect against pests
Springtime is a welcome relief to many of us who live in colder climates but it also comes with an influx of pests like fleas, and ticks. These can cause discomfort to our pets. So it’s very important to protect them from all the pests and take proper flea and tick care.
Practice good hygiene
Spring is also a time when allergens and irritants are in the air, so it's important to keep your pet clean and well-groomed. Regular baths and brushing can help remove allergens and prevent skin irritations. Additionally, check your pets’ ears and paws. Look for things like burrs, seeds, tree sap, thorns, and other things that may be causing them discomfort and trim their nails to prevent overgrowth.
Ease into exercise
If your dog becomes less active during the cold winter months, gently introduce a more active routine. Doing so too quickly can lead to injury or over-exertion. So it’s always preferable to start doing it slowly to avoid any injury and keep them cool
Be on the alert for allergies
Like us, our pets can be allergic to foods, dust, plants, seeds, and pollen. Allergy symptoms include itching, coughing, flushing, scaly skin, and sneezing. This could also happen because of some insect bites and stings. If you suspect any of these symptoms please visit your vet as soon as possible.