Spring Health Tips For Your Pet

by | Aug 15, 2019 | Pet friendly

Spring is just a few weeks away in Norfolk, VA, and in our coastal city, that means the start of spending more time outdoors with the four-legged ones you love. When the seasons change, it can affect our pet’s dietary, lifestyle, coat and exercise needs, and it’s important to take preventative steps to help them feel their best.

When flowers and trees begin to bloom and temperatures begin to rise, you may notice your pet’s coat shedding more often, and you might even notice an uptick in scratching. If you and your dog find yourselves getting out for more frequent walks or jogs, it might be time to adjust his food intake. Whenever you spend time outdoors, it’s important to be aware of seasonal vegetation that can be harmful or poisonous if consumed by your pup.

This spring, give your pet the gift of good health, so you can make the most of this beautiful season of sunshine in Norfolk, VA. Here are a few health tips to transition your pet this season.

Allergy Season
Believe it or not, your pet can have seasonal allergies much the way you can. If you notice your pet sneezing, scratching or sniffling, schedule an appointment with your vet and get it checked out. Some seasonal allergies can be extremely dangerous, especially if your pet has a life-threatening allergy. Get to the vet as soon as you can if you begin to notice even the smallest signs of an allergic reaction.

Bugs Among Us
While the sight of the trees and flowers in bloom can be so inspiring, the bugs and critters it brings out can wreak havoc on your pet’s well-being. Now is the time to make sure that your pet is up to date on heartworm medications, flea and tick medications. If you haven’t yet, schedule a vet visit for necessary booster shots and vaccinations while you’re at it.

Proper Identification
Since spring weather is so comfortable and refreshing, you might find yourself spending more time outdoors with your pup, or keeping windows open or patio doors cracked open in the afternoon. Be sure to keep your pet’s properly identified to ensure that they can quickly be found and returned to you should they get away during outdoor activities. Make sure your pet is microchipped, and that they wear a collar with proper identification and current vaccinations to help keep them safe.

Easter Lily and House Plants
In spring, you’ll notice an uptick in the amount of Easter Lilies being sold and passed around, but beware of bringing these or any other unfamiliar plants into your home. Easter lilies are extremely poisonous to pets, especially cats, and should never be brought into a home with four-legged family members. Several other varieties of house plant are also toxic to pets, and should be avoided at all costs. Do your pet a favor, and check with their veterinarian before bringing any new vegetation into your home.

Exercise and Diet
In spring, you and your pet may begin to move more, by taking longer and more frequent walks or jogs. Be aware of your pet’s changing dietary needs as he begins to exercise more, and consult your pet’s vet to make sure that you’re feeding your pup enough and feeding him the right food to keep him feeling energetic and happy.