Don't be sprung by Spring pet dangers

Like us, cats and dogs can suffer from environmental allergies, and Spring is peak season for pollens and grasses. Lots of pets reach with skin irritations from allergic dermatitis, so keep an eye on their feet and the hairless areas of their bellies!  

Less commonly, some pets react with red eyes and runny noses, and you’ll probably hear their sneezes from the other side of the house! 

Watch out for inflamed areas and unusual rashes and monitor how much your pet scratches themselves, so you will know if something changes. If you see a worrying increase in irritation, itchiness or redness, contact your local vet and ask for topical antihistamine creams or lotions to provide some relief. 

Grass seeds are commonly overlooked as a danger to our pets, but it’s important to know the damage that can be done when your pet is exposed to them. Grass seeds can find themselves embedded in your dog’s fur, ears, eyes, nose and skin, and depending on the location, the symptoms of their discomfort can differ.  

Grass seeds cause irritation and redness when attached to the skin, nose and eyes so keep an eye out for any redness, itching or signs of pain. A seed in the ear can cause a lot of head shaking and rubbing their ear and when found in the fur, can result in matting. 

Seeds can migrate to other parts of the body once under the skin and have serious consequences. To avoid this, keep your pet’s coat clean and short, avoid long grass and check over your dog’s fur after walks or yard time

Snakes start to move around more as the weather warms up, so if you live in a snake-prone area now may be the time to take precautions. Some common signs of snake bites are sudden weakness followed by collapse, shaking or twitching muscles and difficulty blinking, loss of bladder and bowel control, dilated pupils and blood in urine. 

To prevent this, get rid of any rubbish, such as leftover timber or garden cuttings, which could make an appealing home for our scaly friends. When you walk your dog, keep them on a leash unless you’re sure the area is safe, and watch they’re not exploring areas of thick bush or grass. 

If you suspect your pet has been bitten, contact your vet straight away, even if it looks like they’re getting better. Minimise movement in your pet to stop the spread of venom and try to keep them as calm as possible. 

Any type of fertiliser and bait (snail, slug, rat) can be toxic to dogs and cats. 

Other dangers can include poisonous plants including types of lily and garden mulch, which often includes a by-product of cocoa powder or other chocolate products. 

If your pet ingests something that you think may be toxic to them, take your pet and a sample of what you think they have eaten, to the vet immediately. 

Stings are common in Spring—mostly around your pet’s mouth and feet—and their reaction can vary greatly.  Mild signs include swelling, scratching rubbing, licking or chewing at the sting. Severe signs include profound swelling, hives, vomiting and difficulty breathing. 

If your pet is stung, remove the sting if possible and contact your vet for advice. If your dog has a known anaphylactic reaction to stings, then talk to your vet about getting an Epi-pen.