After spending the cold winter cooped up indoors, it is finally the time to welcome the warm spring-summer weather. With spring comes warmer weather, beautiful flowers, and the perfect opportunity for you and your pet to enjoy it all together.
Unfortunately, with all the joys of warmer weather, also comes many health risks for your pet. Keeping your pet healthy is certainly at the very top of your list of priorities. Therefore, there are a few rules to follow that can keep your furry friend healthy and happy during the spring season and all year long.
1. Exercise
The first thing to remember is that you are not the only one who has got slightly out of shape over the winter. Your pet has also been missing out on their daily exercise while keeping warm indoors.
It is critical to monitor your pet on those first few trips out into the sunshine. Not only is your pet out of shape and most likely slightly overweight, but they are not accustomed to the warm weather and intense heat brought on by the first days of spring and summer.
2. Water
During the spring and summer seasons, it is vital that your pet has constant access to fresh, cool water. Just like human’s body needs water to function properly, an animal’s body needs the same.
3. Flea and tick season
Another downfall of the return of warmer weather is the return of those persistent pests, ticks, and fleas. Make sure to protect your pet from ticks and fleas in April. Also, your pet may need a preventative heartworm treatment, but consult your vet first.
More: 10 Tips for Choosing a Vet for Your Pet
4. Garden safety
With the return of spring you cannot wait to get into your yard and get those flower beds ready. It is important to remember that many fertilizers and chemicals used in the garden during the spring can be very harmful to your pet’s health. Try to avoid these things at all costs to keep your pet healthy.
5. Prevent accidental breeding
With the return of the chirping birds and buzzing bees, many pets go into heat in the springtime. This breeding frenzy often leads to many unwanted and abandoned furry babies. If you are not planning on breeding your pet, it may be a good idea to get them fixed. If you do plan on making your pet a parent one day, be sure to keep a close eye on them during these weeks of “heat” to avoid accidental breeding.
6. Proper nutrition
With the return of outdoor activities, it is important to provide your pet with the proper diet. They may need more food and water than they did just lying around the house during the winter season. Your pet burns more calories and energy so be sure to feed them accordingly.
More: 10 Things to Consider if You Want an Unusual Pet
7. Vet visits
You know the saying, a vet is your pet’s friend. Spring is the time when you need to visit your pet’s vet twice (or more if needed) a month to prepare your furry friend for a hot summer season.
Finally, the most important thing to remember is to have fun with your furry friend this spring. Just remember, a healthy pet is a happy pet, and a happy pet makes an owner happy too.
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