Warmer temperatures and better weather are on the horizon, meaning our pets will be getting outdoors more...
Whilst this is great news of course, with the change of seasons, comes new challenges to be wary of. So, we’ve put together some springtime pet care top tips to help you keep your pet healthy and happy this spring.
How will my pet’s behaviour change in the spring?
With the change in seasons, come changes in your pet’s appearance and behaviour, most of which are completely normal.
You can expect them to shed their coat, due to the warmer temperatures their longer winter coat is replaced with a lighter summer coat, dependent on their breed. They may become more active and energetic, as they’re able to get outside more and be stimulated by interaction with humans and other furry friends alike. As spring is the common mating season for most animals, if your female cat or dog has yet to be neutered, then they may go into heat.
Pets can get heatstroke this time of year, as the temperature warms up and if they’ve not yet fully shed their winter coat. The following behavioural changes are associated with heatstroke: excessive drooling, panting, lethargy, weakness, disorientation and high body temperature – which can be measured at home with a pet thermometer, should you suspect overheating. To prevent heatstroke, limit outdoor activity on hotter days and always have shade and water available for them. If they do overheat, cool them down gradually with lukewarm towels or water to drink.
Which spring plants do I need to be wary of my pets going near?
A number of beautiful springtime blooms can unfortunately be toxic if ingested by cats or dogs. Be wary of having flowers including daffodils, irises, lillies, tulips, foxgloves, hyacinths and azaleas in your home or garden. It’s a good idea to research pet-safe plants, before planting your spring garden. Have a read of this helpful guide on cat-safe plants, by Cats Protection, and this useful article on dog-safe and non-dog safe plants, by Blue Cross, for further information.
Whilst making sure to keep these plants away from your pets, a number of other seasonal blooms and pollens can cause allergies in our pets. Keep a close eye on your dog or cat as spring rolls in and take note of any irritation they may have. Allergies can show up in our furry friends in the form of itching, paw chewing and respiratory problems in dogs and overgrooming, itching, watery eyes and sneezing, in cats. Monitor your furry friend’s symptoms and speak with your vet, who will advise you on the best course of action to alleviate symptoms.
If you’re an Insure Your Paws customer and are concerned about your pet, or think that they may have eaten something they shouldn’t have, then you can speak with a registered vet nurse via our Assist Your Paws careline, 24/7, and they can advise.
How can I protect my pet against fleas?
With warm weather, come pesky fleas. Make sure your furry friend is up-to-date with their flea treatments, which usually need to be maintained year-round. Keep your home and garden tidy to avoid potential flea habitats; they tend to thrive in cool, moist environments, near stagnant water such as ponds, leaf piles and dense vegetation.
Keeping your dog or cat well-groomed is a great way to keep an eye on things and potentially spot these pests before the situation gets worse. Carefully checking your cat, as they are not as regularly groomed as dogs, after they’ve been outdoors for signs of fleas or ticks can help keep a handle on things.
When grooming or checking your furry friend for fleas, look for redness or irritation, areas of hair loss or bald patches and tiny dark specks in their fur. A good way to check is to brush them with a fine-toothed comb, rubbing this on a white cloth after brushing, to see if there are dark spots which could be fleas or their droppings. Treatment is better done sooner rather than later, and your vet can best advise on which course of action would be best.
How can I protect my pet against ticks?
Other unwanted visitors that may show up in the spring are ticks. Ticks are common in woodland and grassland and most prominently found in spring and autumn. Like fleas, they thrive in dense vegetation and moist environments, so keeping your garden nice and tidy is essential.
To check your cat or dog for ticks, feel for small lumps on their skin, after they’ve spent time outdoors. They prefer areas where the fur is thinner, so they are more likely to be found in the folds in their skin such as around the toes, neck, armpits etc. If you find a tick, it’s crucial to remove it completely by using tick tweezers, which prevent the head of the tick remaining in the skin, pushed as close to your pet’s skin as possible and twisting rather than squeezing the tick out. Make sure to check that the head has been removed fully, as if it’s left behind in your pet’s skin, it can cause infection. Using antiseptic or antibacterial soap on the area as well can also help to prevent infection.
If you’re unsure on the removal process or to discuss preventative measures if ticks keep returning, speak with your vet.
Insure Your Paws customers after seasonal pet care advice, simple treatment recommendations or help with non-emergency medical situations, can speak with one of our registered vet nurses, via our Assist Your Paws careline. This support is available 24/7, any time of day or night, throughout the year, to Insure Your Paws customers.
