Hello Finley here! Ahhhh Spring! My favorite time of year, the weather gets warmer, I get outdoors more with my humans which I love! There’s lots of new things blooming which brings lots of new smells for me to check out and everyone just seems a little happier…….what’s not to love about Spring? Well……there are a few things about spring that can put a damper on this wonderful season, so I’d like to share with you my tips for getting your pets ready for Spring!
Heartworm Prevention: Did you know that Heartworms are one of the biggest dangers for your pet? That’s right, and heartworm is spread through those pesky little mosquitoes that like to bite everything in sight so if you took your pet off their heartworm medication during the long cold months of winter, now is a really good time to start them again. Mosquitoes start to thrive when the outside temperatures stay between 50 & 60 degrees, and their bites can carry heartworm, so talk to your vet about the best medication for your pup. Keep up the Flea and Tick prevention: It’s really best to do this all year round, because once Spring gets here, those pesky little fleas and ticks become active again. YUCK!! Not to mention, they carry lots of nasty stuff with them, like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Fever – UGH!
Allergies: Did you know that your pet can suffer from allergies just like you do? That’s right, only our allergies come through our skin, so if you notice your pet scratching a lot more, it might be allergies! Of course, you should take him to the vet to make sure, but if your pet is suffering from springtime allergies, your vet can prescribe an antihistamine that will make life so much better.
Shedding that winter weight: You know, just like our humans, we pets can tend to put on a little weight during the long, cold winter months. Getting back outdoors in the Spring always feels so good, but sometimes it’s nice to take the outdoor exercise a little slow so we can build up our strength a little at a time. You know, just like humans, pets can get injured if we rush back into exercise too fast!
Get a microchip: If you don’t have a microchip in your pet, Spring is a really good time to get one. Sometimes we get distracted in the nice weather and we can wander off without realizing it, so having a microchip will insure that your pet will get back to you if he or she gets lost.
Well, there you have it, my tips for getting your pet ready for Spring! I hope you have a great one!
Until next time,
Finley
Executive Canine Quality Control Officer
Information for this article was taken from: Five Ways to prepare your pet for Spring, by Kristen Rodman.
