Woo hoo! Spring is finally here and after what seemed like an extra long winter, people – and pets! – are eager to get outside and enjoy the nice weather!
Springtime presents some unique safety challenges for our pets. As their guardians, it’s important for us to know what to do – and what not to do – in order to keep them safe. Today I’m sharing just a few tips on ways for keeping your pet safe this spring while still letting her enjoy herself and the beautiful weather.
8 Tips For Keeping Your Pet Safe This Spring
- Never, ever, ever leave your dog unattended outdoors. I can’t say this enough. It takes only seconds for a dog to wander off or to be stolen right from your own backyard. It happens every day and you’re foolish if you think “it can’t happen in my neighborhood.” Yes, it most certainly can. And it does. My philosophy with dogs is the same as with a 2 year old child – if I wouldn’t leave a child in this situation, I shouldn’t leave my dog in this situation. Please be responsible; your dog is counting on you!
- Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with an ID tag that has correct information. In the event your dog does get lost, make sure you’ve provided enough information for her to get back home. An ID tag with your name and a current, working phone number is an absolute must. Microchipping your pet is also a must. This is a simple, easy procedure that can usually be done for $20-30 and because of it, hundreds of thousands of pets have found their way home.
- You probably can’t wait to open the windows and air your house out after a long winter. Double check to make sure all window screens are secure and in good condition. This will help prevent a pet from escaping through a busted screen or accidentally falling from a window.
- Beware of poisonous plants. Your beautiful spring flowers are starting to pop up and if you’re anything like me, that brings a big smile to your face. But so many of our favorite spring blooms are not safe for pets. Check out the ASPCA’s list of plants to avoid.
- Keep your pets off lawns that have recently been chemically treated. Fertilizers, weed killers, and other chemicals used by commercial lawn care companies, as well as those you use yourself, can be very harmful to your pets. Generally, I keep my pets off a treated lawn for at least 24 hours. Follow the instructions from your lawn care company or on the label if you’re treating your own lawn.
- When you start your spring cleaning projects, be sure to use pet-friendly cleaning supplies. I’m sharing some of my favorites here. My advice is to also secure your pets in another room while you clean, and make sure you put all cleaning supplies away before letting your pets back into the room.
- Know the phone number for the Animal Poison Control Center. It’s 888-426-4435. Keep this number handy year-round. You never know when you may need it.
- Is your pet on year-round heartworm and flea prevention? If not, now’s a great time to get started. Visit your vet to have your dog tested for heartworm disease, and then start the treatment and be faithful about it each and every month!
These are just a few ideas for keeping your pet safe this spring. I’d love to hear your suggestions, as well. What tips do YOU have for keeping Fido safe? Share with me in comments below!
Courtney says
April 23, 2013 at 1:37 pmGreat tips for dog owners!!
Christina Berry says
April 23, 2013 at 10:33 pmThanks, Courtney! 🙂
Roberta says
May 2, 2013 at 2:21 pmgreat post, thanks!
Roberta says
May 2, 2013 at 2:26 pmGreat tips, will definitely keep these in mind. thanks!
MyDoglikes says
March 22, 2016 at 11:50 amWe are always worried about the chemical lawn treatments. While we use only natural products in our yard, I know other homes near us and along our walk do not. Also, the park where we typically play fetch in the evenings is definitely professionally treated so we stay away for several days around that time.
Kimberly Gauthier says
March 22, 2016 at 12:26 pmOne reason I’m glad we live where we live. There are so many hazards that we can avoid. I would also add that it’s important to train your dog to have a good recall. Since our dogs do have so much land, I can lose track of them if they get too far; so I test their recall all the time to make sure they’ll always come when I call and avoid having a run in with a coyote, mountain lion, or skunk. Damn skunks.
Judy Weir says
March 22, 2016 at 1:23 pmGreat post. Just yesterday at a dog obedience training class, people talked about some dogs that were abducted from the owner’s back yard. It was discovered the dogs were being used as bait in a local underground dog fight group. It was so disturbing to hear that there are people so low in their morals to deliberately cause pain and suffering to an animal. My classmates also commented on how vulnerable dogs are when their owners are camping and leave their dog tied up outside their housing. Another risk to a dog I have observed is when people travel with their dog in the box of a truck, exposed to the weather and risk of being thrown out. How cruel and thoughtless!
Patricia Shattuck says
March 23, 2016 at 6:09 pmI live in the desert area of Tucson. Because it’s rattlesnake season now, I went to Home Depot and bought some Snake B Gone by Ortho to sprinkle around the perimeter of my dogs yard and also around the perimeter of my horse’s stall. It contains cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, clove oil and some other ingredients that snakes don’t like. It is also pet, people and plant friendly (an important fact to be aware of). There is another brand called Dr. T’s but it says on the container “harmful to humans and domestic animals. A big NO NO to buy and spread around if you have domestic animals.
Also, snake training is a good thing here in the desert since diamondback rattlers are native to this area.
Beth | Daily Dog Tag says
March 25, 2016 at 11:18 amThese are some important reminders. I have noticed my dogs enjoying the warm winds and I know that one of them would love to take an unguided tour of the neighborhood. I found a spot in my fence that could be a problem, so hopefully we’re going to fix it this weekend.
Monica @ Dog Helpful says
July 6, 2016 at 12:22 pmThanks for sharing these advice on how to pet proof your house. I always make sure that my shoes are kept in cupboards and as well as the poisonous items.
Kinley Westie says
April 17, 2018 at 1:06 amGreat tips! So many people are fertilizing their lawns now.