Yep, Spring officially arrives this Saturday.  For me, that means gearing up the pets for flea and tick season, plus scheduling healthy doses of Vitamin D!  Just ordered Zak (cat) the annual dose of flea and tick medication, and cleaned out Bob’s (amazon parrot) “bye-bye” cage for ventures outdoors to soak up some sun.  Once we move into our new digs, both of my boys will have lots more lounging space to enjoy the outdoors and yes, I will be sure to add a bird feeder outside the bay window to add more entertainment for them both.  Dog owners, here are some great tips to keep in mind for Springtime:

With Spring officially here your dog may be spending more time outdoors. You will want to make sure that your yard and home is set up to be safe for them.

As you are doing your Spring planting, make sure that you only use plants that are safe if they are ingested. Toxic plants can include lilies, azaleas, rhododendrons and oleander.

Some mulch products are also toxic to pets, such as cocoa mulch.  The dog is attracted by the smell and will eat the mulch.

With Easter coming up, remind the kids to keep the chocolate bunnies away from the dog.  Bakers chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate, but the dog really doesn’t need any of it!  The plastic grass used in baskets can prove fatal if swallowed.

Rich foods that are being served for dinner may seem like a nice treat for Fido, but can cause such health problems as Pancreatitis if the dog ingests too much.

Home improvement products such as paints, solvents and fertilizers can also be toxic, carefully check labels or ask companies if the product is safe for your pet.

A very important item that is often overlooked in the yard is the metal lawn edging…if the top is not covered or rounded, the edging can slice through the dogs foot and cause extensive injuries.

Dogs often start digging in the yard when the new plants start coming up, make sure that you are providing exercise for them, both mental and physical. Puzzle toys are a great way to keep them busy so that they are not looking at your newly planted rosebush for entertainment.  Underground sprinkler systems also are fun if the dog is bored, just ask my client who came home to a flooded yard and two very happy, but muddy puppies!

These are just a few tips that you can use to keep your pet happy and healthy this Spring.

Have fun with the new season!  Take good care of your pets, and fellow motorcyclists …Enjoy the ride!  Until next time, keep your helmet on. -Ang