While springtime brings sunshine, flowers, and more, the changing season also brings unstable weather, pests, wildlife, and other dangers that threaten dogs.
Dog spring danger: Thunderstorms
Approximately 30% of puppies and dogs are distressed and suffer physical and behavioral problems during lightning and thunderstorms.
Watch your dog’s body language for signs he’s developing a storm phobia.
If your dog becomes afraid of thunder, don’t baby him.
That only reinforces his fear.
Remain calm, be reassuring, and do whatever you usually do.
Modifying this behavior is challenging, so you don’t want to reinforce fear unnecessarily.
Dog spring danger: Pests
Warm weather brings pest threats, including heartworms, fleas, and ticks.
Dogs not on a heartworm preventative treatment risk getting a potentially life-threatening parasitic infection through mosquito bites that carry the infective heartworm larvae.
According to PetMD, the larvae migrate to the heart and blood vessels in the lungs. Dogs with heartworm disease may need to be hospitalized while they are treated.
Fleas are tiny, blood-sucking insects that latch onto dogs and can quickly jump to your bedding and furniture. Because fleas can transmit diseases, including plague, knowing effective, natural flea remedies is vital.
Ticks carry five common diseases: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis. If you spend time out in the woods, be sure to check your dog thoroughly for ticks. They love hiding in the folds of your dog’s neck or armpits.
“It’s important to keep your lawn clean and tidy to help prevent ticks and fleas in and around your yard,” says Donnie Shelton from Triangle Lawn Care.
Many pet owners use natural remedies that are effective and safe to keep their dogs free from parasites.
Essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus can repel pests when diluted with a carrier oil and applied to your dog’s collar or neck, but consult a veterinarian to ensure safety.
Apple cider vinegar mixed with water can be sprayed on your dog’s coat to deter fleas, while food-grade diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in sleeping areas to dehydrate pests.
Herbal repellents from rosemary, sage, and thyme can also protect.
Regular bathing with natural dog shampoo and adding essential oils can further enhance flea prevention.
Grooming your dog helps remove any pests and keeps their coat healthy, while a diet rich in Omega fatty acids can improve skin health, making it less inviting for fleas and ticks.
Introducing beneficial nematodes into your yard can help control flea populations, and maintaining a clean environment by washing bedding and vacuuming regularly will reduce the likelihood of infestations.
Always consult a veterinarian before trying new remedies, especially if your dog has existing health issues.
Dog spring danger: Wildlife
Wild animals pose many risks for pets, including attacks from coyotes and mountain lions.
Another common danger is rabies for dogs that have not been adequately vaccinated.
Everything from bats to rats, raccoons, and skunks can become infected and transmit rabies. Infected animals spread the disease through scratches or bites.
Rabies isn’t the only disease wild animals spread.
Rodents, foxes, raccoons, and other animals carry the bacterial disease leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to dogs and people.
The disease is usually spread via contact with infected urine, urine-contaminated soil, water, food, or bedding. Animals can also spread leptospirosis by biting an infected animal or eating infected carcasses.
An encounter with a skunk may not make your dog sick, but it can make him and your house stinky. If you live in an area with skunks and stock up on the supplies, you’ll need to clean up your dog before you need them.
Dog spring danger: Landscaping
Making your yard beautiful can pose hazards to your dog.
Mulch, fertilizers, pesticides, and even some of the plants and landscaping tools you choose can be hazardous, and using them risks poisoning your dog.
Fertilizers and pesticides can be dangerous because your dog is lower to the ground and can track the chemicals into the house, increasing his exposure.
They also pose a hazard because even the hardiest dog sometimes likes to eat grass.
Many popular trees and plants are hazardous to dogs, including the leaves from oak and apple trees, hostas, foxglove, mums, and daffodils. The ASPCA has compiled a complete list of toxic plants for dogs.
Popular mulches, especially cocoa mulch, can also pose a threat, making dogs sick or even killing them. Like chocolate, the mulch, made of cocoa bean shells, contains theobromine, which can overstimulate the dog’s central nervous system, heart, and kidneys.
Heavy spring rains also can cause death cap mushrooms to sprout. As its name implies, the mushroom can be deadly if your dog eats one.
Choose non-toxic plants like lavender, marigolds, and petunias for pet-safe landscaping while avoiding harmful ones such as azaleas and lilies.
Create designated digging areas with loose soil for pets that enjoy digging, and use natural mulches like cedar chips rather than toxic options.
Installing fences can help keep your pets secure while allowing them to explore safely.
Incorporate low-growing ground covers like clover to minimize muddy paws and provide shaded spots with trees or canopies for comfort during hot weather.
Shallow water features can add refreshment, and be sure to use organic fertilizers to protect pets from harmful chemicals.
Defining paths with gravel or stones can guide pets and prevent damage to your plants, while including comfortable outdoor furniture can create a relaxing space.
Spring dog danger: Household chemicals
Spring’s a great time to spruce up your house, eliminate unwanted items, and thoroughly clean everything.
Be sure the products you use for spring cleaning don’t contain chemicals that can be hazardous to you or your dog.
Cleaning products with ingredients like chlorine, bleach, and ammonia poses the danger your dog could develop cancer, kidney damage, and anemia.
These toxic cleaners still pose health risks even when closed and put away since they leave harmful vapors behind. Ammonia vapors from household cleaners are irritating to the skin.
Chlorine is poisonous to breathe and can cause severe damage to the skin, eyes, and other membranes. It is common in multipurpose cleaners, disinfecting wipes, mildew removers, tile scrubs, and laundry detergents. Chlorine is denser than air and settles in low-lying areas where pets usually stay.
If you need to use an exterminator, take the same precautions. Make sure you hire one who uses pet-safe fumigation chemicals.
While it may not be considered a hazard, dog shedding can be a nuisance, and warmer weather often prompts increased shedding. Regular grooming and a healthy diet supplemented with a good vacuum are your best tools to fight shedding.
Dog spring danger: Allergies
For most dogs, like most people, seasonal allergies are a minor nuisance.
Some dogs experience allergic reactions to pollen or mold.
Other dogs experience allergic reactions to flea bites.
If the reaction is minor, you might not even notice.
But some dogs develop skin reactions on top of watery, itchy eyes.
Others develop chronic ear infections, respiratory problems like coughing and sneezing, and gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
Changes in behavior, such as increased irritability, may also indicate allergies.
So, if your dog is scratching too much, it could have an allergy or a hot spot.
If you notice your dog excessively scratching or licking an area of his body, consult your vet for the best treatment options.
To manage these symptoms, consult a veterinarian who can help identify the cause through testing. Keeping a symptom diary with potential allergens can assist in diagnosis.
For environmental allergies, regular cleaning and air purifiers can help reduce irritants, while food allergies may require a special diet.
Your vet might prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids to relieve symptoms. Immunotherapy, like allergy shots, can also be an option.
Regular grooming with hypoallergenic shampoo can soothe irritated skin and remove allergens.
Dog spring danger: Weekend warrior syndrome
Once the weather warms up, it’s easy to get excited about being outside and plan a long run or hike.
But if winter weather has kept your dog cooped up without as much exercise, be careful not to push it to do too much too soon.
PetMD cautions dogs may have gained weight, lost muscle tone, and have stiff joints. Start slowly with short runs or hikes and gentle games of fetch.
Too much exercise can strain your dog’s muscles and joints and cause excessive wear and tear on his paws.
The bottom line on spring dangers
Spring is always a welcome change after months of dreary skies, cold weather, and snow.
Just take some precautions to ensure your dog can enjoy the change of season as much as you do by protecting him from dog spring dangers, including thunderstorms, wild animals, pests, landscaping, and household toxins.
Sara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can reach Sara @ editor@dogsbestlife.com.
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