Springtime Safety Hazards for Cats and Dogs

As the weather warms up and things start to bloom, you and your pet are probably ready to head outdoors. Remember that spring has its own set of particular dangers for our four-legged companions! Beware of the following hazards as listed by your Black Hills vet.

Many people spray fertilizers on their lawn and pesticides on their gardens during this time of year. Remember that these products contain chemicals that are almost certainly harmful to dogs and cats. Keep your pet inside if you’re spraying chemicals, and don’t let them nibble on treated grass or chemically-sprayed garden plants.

Fleas, ticks, worms, mosquitoes—these pests enjoy the warm weather as much as your pet, and they’re ready to bite at a moment’s notice. Keep your pet on year-round preventatives to eliminate the worry of infection. Contact your veterinary professional if your pet’s medications need updated.

Did you realize that many of the cleaning products you’re using to clean your home this spring probably contain at least one harmful chemical for pets? Take care to have your pet avoid contact with household cleaners, bleach, ammonia, solvents, and other cleaning products. Store them on high shelves inside of closed closets or cabinets.

You aren’t the only one that might have to deal with the sneezing and snuffling of springtime—cats and dogs can actually suffer from allergies too. Talk to your vet about getting your pet on allergy medicine to manage symptoms, as well as ways to manage your pet’s allergies around the home and reduce exposure to allergens like pollen and dust.

High-rise syndrome isn’t actually a medical condition. It’s the veterinary slang term for pets slipping out of windows or off of high perches, injuring themselves in the fall. This becomes much more common in the spring, when pets—especially cats—lounge by open or improperly-screened windows. Check all the screens in your home to make sure your pet will be safe.

Talk to your Black Hills vet for more helpful springtime safety tips, as well as information on how to keep your pet safe during all times and temperatures through the year.