5 Springtime Safety Tips for Pets

Spring truly is one of the greatest times of the year, if for no other reason than it means summer is coming! For pet parents and their furry family members, this time can be even more exciting with the prospects of long walks in the park or just playing fetch in the front yard. Spring also brings with it some potential dangers to our four-legged friends so we thought we would highlight some of the things to watch for as the weather gets warmer.

Though Spring brings thoughts of rainbows and butterflies, it also presents dangers that you wouldn’t necessarily think about in the winter. If this is the first you’ve heard of pet springtime dangers, read on for things to look out for and tips on avoiding the risks.

Pet Car Safety

Ahhhh… Springtime cruising through the countryside! When the air gets warm and you and your pup jump in the car to head to the dog park or even just to cruise around the town and take in the sights, it might be tempting to roll your windows down and let your dog feel the wind in his face. While most dogs would be happy to oblige, this can actually be dangerous for your friend for a couple of reasons.

One thing that is often overlooked is that insects and debris (rocks thrown from the vehicle in front of you etc..) flying at high speeds towards your dog’s face can cause lung infections and inner ear or eye injuries. As much as your pup may love covering the cars behind you with his happy slobber, it may be best to only crack the windows a little.


It is also important to note that serious injuries can occur if you need to stop or turn suddenly. While it’s not as picturesque, your dog is safest in a crate or wearing a seatbelt harness made specifically for canines.

Spring Cleaning

The first instinct many have when spring fever hits is to start cleaning! It's finally warm enough to get all of the winter funk out of the house and let in some nice fresh air. Of course, we’re not going to knock cleaning, but there are safety measures to keep in mind for your pets’ sake before you pull out the cleaning supplies. Make sure that any cleaners, even natural ones, are always out of reach of dogs and cats – both of which are curious and at least one of which can climb! Pets are curious creatures, and those brightly colored spray bottles are likely to catch their attention. Keep your furry friend in a separate room until the recently cleaned surface is dry, as coming in contact with a small amount of chemicals could seriously harm your pet.

This is also a good time to clean your pet food containers (read our article on storing your pet food here), toys, and other pet care items. Just make sure that you use Pet Safe cleaners on anything that your furry friend may come in contact with, especially food and water bowls. The same goes for pet beds, if your furry friend's favorite nap spot is torn or frayed, it may be time to look for a new one. If that is the case, be sure to take a look at these great options!

 

Spring (Dental) Cleaning

While you’re thinking about deep cleaning your home, why not go deeper with your pet’s dental hygiene as well? It’s a good idea to get your dog or cat’s teeth cleaned once a year to prevent periodontal disease, which often leads to much more serious issues. If you’re looking to combat periodontal disease on a regular basis, check out some of the many dental chews and treats K9Cuisine offers for both dogs and cats!

Fetch!

What better way for your dog to stretch her legs after a long winter than a good game of fetch! Great for both exercise and bonding, fetch is a good idea as long as you use a toy or ball that’s meant for dogs. Sticks can splinter in your dog’s mouth or cause serious harm if they’re ingested and create an obstruction in the digestive tract.

This is also a good time to take stock of your pet’s most prized toys (assuming you can find where they were hidden/buried around the house). If the toy is chewed up or torn (especially those with stuffing in them), it is probably time to look at replacing them to prevent small pieces from being inadvertently consumed in the height of play.

Avoid these possible issues with a durable and fun KONG dog toy! You won’t regret staying on the safe side when it comes to your pup’s safety.

Rising Temperatures

There’s a fine line between a warm spring day and a potentially dangerous situation. Be careful not to let your dog overheat in his excitement to get outside and play – make sure he constantly has access to fresh water and a shady spot to rest. And as always, don’t leave your pup alone in the car for any amount of time. Overheating doesn’t take long and the results can be devastating.

Have a Safe Spring!

We want you and your pet to love every minute of the beautiful spring we’re about to enjoy. That means staying safe, even as the warmer weather brings multiple opportunities for danger to pop up. Keep these tips in mind and your furry family members should have a happy and carefree spring! If you happen to capture some of these moments on camera, feel free to share with us on our Facebook page, we absolutely love getting to see all of our four-legged K9Cuisine family members enjoying life! Just visit us here: http://www.facebook.com/k9cuisine