Spring has arrived, which means we’re in pollen, Easter, and blooming season. While spring brings joy to many, dogs included, it can also pose many seasonal risks for our canine companions. As covered in our most recent blog post, regular exercise is crucial for the health and wellness of all dogs, and this will inevitably include outdoor time. This is why it’s crucial to be aware of the possible dangers and hazards your pooch may come across this spring, in addition to how to avoid them and what you should do if you come into contact with any. This article covers 12 spring hazards all dog owners should be aware of.
1. Allergens
Seasonal allergies are just as real for dogs as they are for humans. Common allergens include pollen, dust, and mould. Symptoms can include itching, sneezing, watering eyes, skin inflammation, compulsive paw licking, and ear infections, among various others. The best way to avoid allergic reactions is to avoid the allergens that cause them, but this isn’t always possible.
For example, during spring, pollen is everywhere, so even stepping outside your front door may expose your dog to allergens that irritate their system. Therefore, it’s important to research the best remedies for your dog’s specific allergy symptoms. For example, there are oral and topical treatments for itchiness, and paw soaking may help soothe paw-specific inflammation. Your vet can also help guide you and may even prescribe medication specific to your dog’s allergy symptoms.
2. Ticks and fleas
Warmer weather and spring rain mean ticks and fleas are becoming more active. These pests like to burrow in your dog’s fur, where they can lay their eggs and feed. They not only make your dog itchy and uncomfortable, but may also transmit diseases such as Lyme disease. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your dog protected with flea and tick prevention treatments as directed by your vet.
You can also help avoid these pests by being selective about where and when you take your pooch on walks. For example, walks around the block where you allow your dog to do plenty of sniffing and exploring are great for mental stimulation and typically don’t pose tick and flea risks. Unfortunately, wooded and grassy areas are the typical stomping grounds for troublesome critters, which means it’s not always possible to avoid them entirely, especially with dogs who love nature and the outdoors. This makes taking all possible preventative measures crucial for the safety of your dog, as well as having the tools and knowledge for tick removal and pest treatment.
3. Poisonous plants
Blooming plants are a key signifier of spring. While they’re beautiful and vibrant, they can also be toxic and dangerous for dogs. Popular plants like azaleas, tulips, daffodils, and lilies, for example, are all hazards to your dog’s health. Thankfully, they’re typically only dangerous when ingested. However, if you have a curious dog who likes to taste test things, this could be an issue.
Make sure to keep a close eye on what your dog is sniffing and interested in chewing while out and about, and make sure not to add any toxic plants to your home or garden. If you’re not sure which plants are toxic or what they look like, there are many websites and apps you can use to help identify them. If you suspect or know your dog has ingested a toxic plant, the safest thing to do is immediately consult your vet for advice and any necessary treatment.
4. Pesticides and fertilisers
As the time is right to plant crops, flowers, and plants, many fertilisers and pesticides are being used to help support this process. Many people also use these chemicals in the upkeep of their lawns, meaning the risk is present in both residential areas and more rural settings. There are also other lesser known pest repellants in higher use during spring, such as slug and snail baits.
As you can probably imagine, all of these chemicals can be very harmful for your dog if ingested, especially in large quantities. Therefore, it’s important to steer clear of chemical-treated areas, keep a close eye on what your dog is picking up while out and about, and opt for pet friendly alternatives if you need to use pesticides or fertilisers yourself. If you think your dog has ingested any pesticides or fertilisers, contacting your vet for advice is the safest course of action.
5. Mud and standing water
Spring rains can create muddy conditions and puddles. While it might seem like fun for dogs to play in, standing water can harbour bacteria and parasites, which can have a detrimental effect on your dog’s health. If you notice that your dog ingests standing water, it’s worth consulting your vet, especially if they begin exhibiting gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea. If needed, they may prescribe medication, a bland diet, a dewormer, or other treatment specific to what they ingested.
Additionally, ingesting mud is something many dogs enjoy, especially those who revel in rolling around in it. Unfortunately, this can upset a dog’s stomach or lead to intestinal blockages if they ingest too much. So, keep a close eye on your dog as they play in the mud and if you become concerned about the amount they have ingested or they begin showing symptoms of stomach upset or intestinal blockage, seek veterinary advice and treatment.
6. Wildlife encounters
Spring is not only for plants, as many different types of wildlife become more active during this season. This is especially true of animals that are leaving hibernation, such as adders, a venomous type of snake. In fact, they are the UK’s largest venomous animal. While attacks from these slithery creatures are relatively rare, they can be very harmful. Identifying an adder is fairly simple, as they are small, usually grey and/or brown in colour, and have a unique V-shaped marking on their head. You may also notice a zigzag down their body. If you’re concerned that an adder has bitten your dog, make sure to consult your vet immediately.
Other, seemingly harmless wildlife, such as slugs, snails, and toads, can transmit illnesses like lungworm. Treatment will be necessary if they do contract this illness, as it can cause major issues and even death when left untreated. Symptoms to look out for include breathing issues and coughing as well as other typical signs of illness like vomiting and diarrhoea. To avoid it altogether, make sure to keep up to date with any deworming treatments recommended by your vet. It’s also important to stay vigilant while your dog is outside, as proper supervision allows you to teach them not to lick, chew, or ingest any dangerous critters.
7. Gardening tools
Naturally, spring is peak gardening season. This means that many tools will be in use, such as rakes, shovels, and trowels. You may find that curious pups are interested in inspecting and even playing with these tools. This is a cute image in theory, but these tools can be hazardous for your pooch.
For example, anything with sharp edges can inflict injuries, which are not only painful but could also lead to more serious issues like infection. There is also a risk that small tools or pieces can be ingested, which may lead to an intestinal blockage. Symptoms of this may include vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass stool, among others. This is a very serious issue that will require prompt veterinary treatment, as would any serious cuts or injuries inflicted by garden tools. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep them stored away from your dog’s reach, and be vigilant about restraining their access to the tools while you use them.
8. Open windows and doors
With the onset of warmer weather, many people opt to leave doors and windows open to enjoy the fresh spring air. If you happen to do this, there are some precautions worth taking to ensure these openings don’t become hazardous to the safety of your dog. For example, making sure screen doors are intact and secure helps prevent escape attempts. It’s natural for dogs to want to explore the world around them, but doing so without supervision and your knowledge can lead to them encountering dangers and becoming lost.
Open windows may also appear to your dog as their entry point to an adventure, so try to keep any windows your dog can reach at an angle that doesn’t allow escape attempts, rather than leaving them wide open. Open windows above ground level are particularly dangerous, as dogs may fall and injure themselves severely. Supervision, screens, and picking the windows you open carefully helps avoid these potential issues.
9. Post-Easter hazards
Easter came around quite early this year and is now over, but some hazards associated with it still remain. As Easter wasn’t too long ago, many retailers are offering Easter-themed goodies at a lower price to clear the merchandise and make room for the next holiday. For example, discounted and leftover chocolates, sweets, and wrappers are still all around. These are very toxic to dogs, especially chocolate. Sweets can also contain harmful ingredients and unsafe sugar levels, while wrappers can cause intestinal blockages. If you have any of these in your home or go to a location where they’re present, make sure they’re stored safely and securely. It’s also worth keeping a keen eye on your dog and what they’re sniffing and chewing.
Additionally, Easter decorations (like fake basket grass) will have recently been discarded, but they may not have been properly disposed of. This can cause them to blow between gardens and streets, and out of rubbish bins straight into your dog’s eye-line. They may look like exciting chew toys to your pup, so keeping an eye out for old Easter decorations at this time of year is always worthwhile. Depending on what each decoration is made of, the ingredients may be harmful, or the decorations themselves may cause blockages. If you think your dog has ingested any of these dangerous items, especially chocolate or anything that could cause a blockage, make sure to consult your vet as soon as possible.
10. Spring cleaning products
Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, and refreshment. With this comes the tradition of spring cleaning, which often involves various chemicals. Household cleaners can be toxic for dogs when ingested, so make sure to put them away securely after use. During use, make sure not to put them down in your dog’s reach, and don’t allow them to sniff, lick, or chew anything that you’ve recently cleaned using harsh chemicals. If they do ingest any chemicals, make sure to consult your vet for advice and treatment.
You may also wish to opt for pet-friendly cleaning products. Due to the dangers that traditional cleaning products pose, many pet-safe alternatives are now available. So, if you have a particularly curious dog, especially one who likes to get their mouth on anything and everything, this could be worthwhile.
11. Antifreeze
Spring often involves car maintenance, including changing fluids like antifreeze. This may seem like it would be a winter-specific issue, but car owners are encouraged to use antifreeze year round as it helps prevent corrosion and other potential issues. Unfortunately, antifreeze is highly toxic to dogs if ingested, even in small amounts. It has a sweet taste that can attract dogs but can quickly lead to kidney failure and, in severe cases, death.
If you use antifreeze, make sure it is securely stored away from your dog’s reach. It’s also crucial to clean up any spills immediately to avoid your dog attempting to clean it up for you. Additionally, while out on walks in areas with cars, it’s important to watch out for antifreeze spills and keep a close eye on what your dog is sniffing and licking on the ground. If you think your dog has ingested antifreeze, contact your vet immediately.
12. BBQ grills and food
With warmer weather, many people start firing up their BBQ grills and hosting outdoor get-togethers. While these gatherings are lots of fun, they also pose potential hazards for your dogs. The exciting smells may tempt your dog to snatch food off the grill or from picnics, which can lead to ingestion of bones, skewers, or foods that are toxic to them, such as onions, garlic, or certain spices. Additionally, hot grills and open flames can cause burns if a curious dog gets too close. So, keep a close eye on your dog during outdoor gatherings, and make sure they can’t access the grill or any potentially harmful foods.
Keep in mind that some people like to host these get-togethers in public spaces, like parks, which may also be the setting of your dog walk. If you spot any of these hazards while out with your dog, make sure they’re on their lead to ensure the delicious smells don’t have a chance to overpower their recall skills. Even the most obedient of canines may not be able to resist the urge to steal a hotdog or burger, so it’s always worth erring on the safe side when in close proximity to open food and flames. If they do incur a burn or ingest anything that may cause harm, be sure to consult your vet for advice and treatment.
Final thoughts
Spring is a beautiful time of year, meaning we want to be outside more than we have in a while. This is great news for both us and our dogs as we can take longer, more pleasant walks, but that doesn’t mean we can stop being vigilant. Keeping an eye on your dog, especially what they are ingesting, is key to their safety in spring. We hope you have a very fun and safe spring with your beloved canine companion!
