As the days grow longer and the flowers begin to bloom, Petplan have revealed their top five Spring pet hazards all pet owners should be aware of, helping to arm pet owners with the knowledge they need to keep their furry friends safe and healthy.
Here are some seasonal pet hazards to be aware of:
Allergies
In the UK, tree pollen season is generally late March to mid-May with grass pollen season peaking from mid-May to July and weed pollen season kicking in from the end of June to September. So, if your pet is only suffering allergy symptoms such as excessive itching, reddened skin and loss of hair at these times of year, it’s possible that they are reacting to an external environmental allergen.
The seasonal surge in allergens can cause distress and discomfort for pets, making it crucial for pet owners to remain knowledgeable on what allergies could affect our pets.
Grass Seeds
As seasonal nasties, grass seeds can inflict misery on our canine friends in particular. Accounting for a high value of pet insurance claims each year, these tiny seeds can cause significant harm if they become lodged in our pet’s skin or ears. It is a good idea to check your dog all over for any lurking grass seeds after every walk, as they can become stuck in a number of places, including eyelids and lip folds, as well as the paws and ears.
Telltale warning signs to watch out for are sudden onset of head shaking, paw licking or pawing at their head or ears. Breeds with floppy ears such as Cockapoos, Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels are the most commonly affected.
Now is a great time to start practicing good habits such as avoiding long-grassed areas and keeping the fur around your dogs’ ears and feet trimmed short. You can even buy ear snoods if your dog suffers from this hazard each year.
Chocolate & Raisin Poisoning
With springtime comes Easter – the time for chocolate and sweet treats. As most pet owners know, the dangers of chocolate for dogs are very real. Petplan data shows 1 in 7 poison related claims are a result of pet’s ingesting chocolate – with 24% of these claims occurring during Spring, only second to 28% during the festive period.
However, did you know that grape, raisin, sultana and currant poisoning is also a huge hazard and regularly sees more claims than for chocolate poisoning! Other common household staples that are poisonous to our dogs, such as caffeine, onions, fruit seeds, avocado and mushrooms to name a few, all highlight the hidden dangers lurking in our kitchen cupboards that all pet owners need to be aware of.
Toxic Plants
Unfortunately, it is not just our pooches we need to look out for. We all love to bring a touch of spring into our homes, but with this comes potentially toxic plants, especially hazardous for feline explorers but an issue for dogs too. Lily poisoning is staggering common.
So, when you are sprucing up for Spring, make sure you brush up on your plant knowledge before introducing new plants into your home and be sure to know the signs of plant poisoning such as scratching, red or watery eyes, vomiting and excessive drinking to name a few.
Please see Poisonous to Dogs – Toxic Plants and Flowers.
If you have any concerns your pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t, please contact your vet for advice.
Insect Stings
As the flowers start to appear, so do wasps and bee. Insect-related injuries often begin around Easter time. Many pets enjoy chasing after insects and can be stung. In most cases, wasp and bee stings are not emergencies and if the sting is not too serious, you can treat it yourself. It is important to know what signs to expect if your pet does get stung.
Like humans, some cats and dogs can be allergic to stings, leading to swellings, distress and breathing difficulties and if your pet is stung near the mouth or neck, you will need to contact your vet for advice as a matter of urgency.
Article © Petplan