Spring has definitely arrived! The weather is warming up, the flowers are starting to burst and spring cleaning is becoming a priority for many households around this time of year.
But when doing your odd jobs around the house such as maintaining your garden and cleaning the windows, take some time to consider your pet’s inquisitive nature and how to keep them away from harm.
Here are a few Springtime tips to keep your pet safe and healthy this Spring.
- Remember to screen: After months of cool winter weather, we naturally want to open windows and doors to welcome a warm breeze. If you do open windows, be sure that they are screened and are sturdy and strong to stop any curious pets, especially cats, jumping straight through from tall heights.
- Chemicals out of reach of fur-children: A good Spring clean can feel so rewarding, but not if it harms your pets. Many chemical cleaners are harmful to animals, so read the label for proper use and keep your pet away from any areas that you have just cleaned to make sure they don’t lick or rub against any chemicals. Keep all chemicals well away from your pet and in secure cupboards.
- Pets ride safe: Letting your dog’s tongue and ears wag in the wind while taking a ride in the car is probably not the safest practice. Flying debris and insects can cause inner ear or eye injuries or inflections and abrupt stops could cause serious injuries to your pet. So be sure to buckle up your fur-pal for their ride in the car or have them in a secure travel crate or area.
- Your pet in the garden: When fertilising and spraying for insects in your garden make sure your pet is well away from any area you are treating, especially if it happens to be a windy day. Many of these chemicals can be harmful – even fatal – for your pet so keep these out of their sniff range and even consider creating a barrier around your vege patch if you think the juicy fruit and veg may be too tempting for your fur-pal. Similarly, rhododendron and azaleas are considered highly toxic to pets and can easily prove fatal if eaten, so know the plants in your garden and consider your pet.
- Allergies and pets: Just like humans, pet can get allergies during the Springtime, but their allergies usually come out in the form of skin irritations. Keep an eye on your pet and visit your vet if you see any unusual skin symptoms.
So consider some of the above tips to make sure that both you and your pet can enjoy a happy and healthy Springtime!