After so many months of winter, everyone loves Spring, including your pets! The rain that it brings is balanced by the warmer temperatures and sunny days. It’s exciting to lace up and grab the leash for your pup, but it’s important to be aware of some dangers lurking out there (inside too!). Every season has its pros and cons, and Spring is no exception. Here’s what to look out for to keep your four-legged friends safe.

Easter: What’s the danger in this holiday? Like many holidays, there are food risks, like the abundance of chocolate. As a responsible dog owner, you know that chocolate is dangerous for your dog. Did you know though, that a common Easter flower is particularly dangerous to cats? Easter Lilies, and in fact, any flower in the lily family, are extremely toxic to cats. Best practice is to just keep them out of the house entirely! Another possible danger is that fun plastic grass that stuff those cute Easter baskets… and ends up all over the house… and into your pet’s stomachs. Be vigilant!

Mushrooms: With Spring, of course, comes rain! Nothing grows faster than mushrooms after a rainfall. While some might think those sprouting caps look cute in the grass, some varieties of mushrooms that grow wild outside are toxic! It’s a good idea to educate yourself on which varieties pose a threat, but it’s safest to keep your dog from ingesting any of them. If you think your pet has been poisoned, it’s important to bring them to a Veterinarian immediately.

Chemicals: Spring is a time to get things done! You’ve got spring cleaning to do, a lawn and/or garden to take care of, and home improvement projects to tackle! Something you might not have realized is the amount and type of chemicals involved in these projects. Keep all chemicals away from your pets or, better yet, use non-toxic products. Remember that some chemicals are present after use. Fertilizer, for example, stays in the ground and your pet is being exposed to it every time it’s in your yard. Please check out this Poisonous Household Products page for more information about chemicals. Also take care of physical threats such as tools you are using. Take care to confine your animals to another room while you work.

Garden: We’ve covered chemicals and mushrooms, what else could there be? If your pets spend time in your yard, be cautious about the plants you grow. Lilies, of course, are on the list, but did you know that rhododendron and azaleas are also highly toxic to pets? They can even be fatal if eaten. Check out this full list—of toxic and non-toxic plants for your home and garden!

Allergies: People aren’t the only ones with allergies! Your pets can be allergic to foods, dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can cause itching, minor sniffling and sneezing, or life-threatening anaphylactic shock to insect bites and stings. If your pet shows any signs of allergy, please make an appointment with us! SOVSC specializes in allergy testing and we can develop a treatment plan for your pet.

There are a lot of things to consider as a pet owner in the warming months, but awareness is your first step in defense! Just knowing what to look out for goes a long way in protecting your pet. And of course, to keep your pets safe, make sure they have a collar with your information on the tag!