Spring has finally sprung, so here are some tips and tricks for your furry friends!
It was a LONG winter. With Toronto in and out of lockdown more times than I can count it was a very welcome change when the days started getting longer and the weather warmer. Dog walks are much more enjoyable rather than dutiful. I still managed to get them down to the beach most days, and had the sand burn on my face to prove it!
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Flea and Tick Prevention
However, spring can bring a whole host of new situations to deal with. The first sign that spring has arrived is the push to get your pets on flea and tick medication. With temperatures warming up much quicker than usual my vet suggested starting in March rather than April this year as they get active once daytime temperatures get above 10 degrees Celsius. My cat Bubbles got a tick on her last year…NOT an experience I want to repeat.
Dog Flea and Tick Prevention
My dogs are over a year old now, which means they switched over to Bravecto, which is given orally, and lasts for up to three months for each dose. This was a HUGE relief to me, as last year they were on Credelio which inevitably caused diarrhea for several days after giving it to them. And as it was given monthly…well you get the picture.
Cat Flea and Tick Prevention
I now use Frontline for my cats, which is a topical treatment applied monthly. It is relatively easy to apply, you pop the cap and give it a good squeeze directly onto their skin on the back of their neck. MUCH better than trying to give your cat a pill…I don’t know about you, but I like my fingers…
There have been some negative news stories on collars recently, I will not use these on my pets. Finding out Advantage offers no protection against ticks when Whiskers showed up with one, we switched to Frontline.
Dealing With Spring Showers (And Mud)
If you have read the grass story, you know that my backyard is currently a giant mud pit. And with spring comes the rain. And more rain. Which leads to mud. EVERYWHERE.
After mopping my floor several times a day, I decided to try out one of those absorbent door mats. The day it came, I rolled it out at the back door and observed the results. It actually does a relatively good job getting a lot of the mud off their paws before coming in the house! The floors were cleaner! Keep in mind that it does not get all the mud and water, but a good amount of it. I was so impressed that I ordered a second one for the front door too!
For the extremely muddy days though, the mats were still not enough. My dogs are also not patient enough to sit and let me towel off all four paws. And good luck to you with two young Bernese Mountain dogs!!
Researching again, I found the Mudbuster, which is essentially a long tube with silicon bristles lining the inside of it. You put a little bit of water into it, the paw goes in for a quick swish and voila! It does an amazing job at getting the mud off their paws, is easy and fast and even works to remove sand from the beach. It also saves my towels from being turned into rags!
Rain Gear
Rain gear could also be something to consider for those rainy day walks. Canada Pooch has some super cute rain jackets and ponchos to help keep your dogs dry and reduce the amount of towel off time when you get back home. They even have a reflective jacket which is perfect for night walks!
Plant Safety
Plants are also something to keep an eye on come spring. Not all of them are friendly to our pets. I have a few things growing in my front yard that are poisonous, including Lily of the Valley and Rhododendron. Lily of the Valley is near impossible to remove as it has tuberous roots. I know. Once I tried. I did manage to kill it off, but I had to dig it all up, remove as many roots as I could and THEN placed a tarp over it for an ENTIRE summer! I have leads out front, and I keep them short enough so they cannot get to those plants.
Gardening is also a passion of mine. As soon as I think it is time, I load up on annuals and perennials. I would love to have Lilies and Foxglove out in the yard, but these are highly toxic to animals. I would strongly recommend that any pet owners make themselves familiar with what plants are toxic and which are not to keep your animals safe out in the yard.
Many home owners will also treat their lawns in the spring. There is typically some sort of signage when this is done, but there may not be…The chemicals used in these treatments can make your pets sick. Insecticides can be deadly. There can be immediate reactions such as respiratory issues, rashes, eye irritation, nausea and diarrhea. However, there can also be longer lasting effects which are more serious. As such, it is prudent to make sure that you keep your dogs off lawns when out and about.
Allergies
Like people, our pets can develop seasonal allergies. Bernese mountain dogs are KNOWN for their allergies but I have been relatively lucky with my two bears so far. If you notice that your pet develops skin issues at certain time of the year, allergies may be the culprit. Over grooming areas, thinning fur and hot spots could also be a sign of allergies. They may also rub their snouts excessively or develop ear infections.
If you notice this with your pet in the spring, you can wash their feet to prevent allergens from coming into your home. Be diligent with ear cleaning. And try to reduce the amount of allergens coming into your home. You can also consult with your vet for options.
There we have it! The rain is falling, the flowers are blooming. Time to get out there and enjoy it!! If you have any other spring tips and tricks for pets please let me know!
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