Keeping Your Dog or Cat Safe This Spring

Springtime means the breezes are getting warmer, the flowers are blooming… and a few pet hazards are starting to present a threat to your animal companions! Below, your Omaha, NE veterinarian discusses some of the most common spring pet hazards and how to keep your dog or cat safe.

Plants and Flowers

Many plants and flowers—lilies, dieffenbachia, philodendron, rhododendron (also called azalea), ivy, daffodils, oleander, certain aloe plants, elephant ear, and much more—can harm a pet who manages to ingest them. Check through bouquets or floral arrangements in your home, as well as in your garden and landscaping outdoors, to make sure you’re not harboring something harmful!

Outdoor Pests

This season is outdoor pests’ favorite time of year to latch on to unsuspecting cats and dogs, potentially causing dangerous infestations and infections that can be difficult and time-consuming to eradicate. Don’t let fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, or parasitic worms harm your animal friend—talk to your vet about getting your pet set up with a quality flea-and-tick preventative, as well as heartworm medication.

Pesticide Products

There’s another way that outdoor pests can harm your pet, albeit indirectly. Pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, and similar products that are sprayed on plant life or lawns are most likely harmful for an animal! Don’t let your pet come in contact with plants or grass that has been recently treated with chemicals, and keep pets indoors when spraying chemical products.

Cleaning Supplies

While it’s not likely that a pet will seek out a cleaning product to try and ingest, accidental spills or unattended cleaning supplies do present a serious health risk. All kinds of household cleaning products—everything from disinfectants and bleach-based products to air fresheners and stain removers—can harm a pet who swallows them! Move pets to another room if you’re cleaning with strong chemicals, and don’t leave the supply closet door hanging open.

Pet Allergens

Were you aware that pets, just like humans, can react to certain allergens? Pollen is the most common culprit in the springtime, but pets can also react to dander, dust, dirt, mold, and other substances. If you notice your pet sneezing and sniffling more as springtime continues, it may be allergies that are the root cause. You’ll want to call your vet for a professional opinion.

Does your pet need pest preventatives or allergy medication? Contact your Omaha, NE animal hospital today to make an appointment.