For example...
1. Bees
Curious #pets love to sniff around flowers. They could be stung if they stick their little noses in too close. In case they are stung, call your #vet immediately. Like humans, our #pets can have #allergic reactions that differ in severity.
2. Grass
April showers bring May flowers. They also bring back our beautiful lush grass. If you see your #pet eating grass, don't worry. For the most part, eating it is normal. But, if you notice your pet eating large amounts of it, you may wanna call your #vet for advice. Sometimes eating grass can indicate that they have an upset tummy and doing this cleans it out. #Chachi does this occasionally to help him throw up something he shouldn't have eaten, like moldy food he picked up on the street. He feels better afterwards.
3. Birds
The chirping of songbirds signals the beginning of #Spring. And with the birds come their eggs. You'll begin to notice small eggs on the ground in your neighborhood or parks. #Cats can pose a major threat to these hatchlings. If you have an outdoor #cat, here are some tips to prevent them from wiping out the #bird population by turning them into a snack.
A. Put a tiny jingle bell on your cat's collar. The sound will alarm birds to the cat's presence.
B. Feed your #cat. Sounds simple, but, keeping him well fed will reduce his #hunting urges if he is already full.
C. Keep your #cat indoors during feeding time for birds. Birds are most actively feeding at sunrise and sunset, or after bad weather. This is a birdie buffet for your #cat. Keep them inside to avoid a feeding frenzy.
D. Keep #bird feeders high up where #kitty can't get to it so easily. Although #cats are climbers, keeping feeders up high will require more work from your #cat and they may lose interest.
4. Sweets
#Easter holiday is coming soon. With this comes candy and #chocolate. Store these away from all #pets. ALL CHOCOLATE IS TOXIC FOR YOUR PETS! While white and milk chocolate don't pose as much a threat, dark chocolate and baker's chocolate are the most toxic. Still, do not attempt to feed them or let them lick the chocolate #Easterbunny, even if it looks like a cute photo opportunity. Take #pets straight to the #vet or emergency clinic if they do injest some.
5. Flowers
With the #Springseason, come lots of blooms. Educate yourself as a #petparent to which plants, berries, and flowers are toxic to your #pets. Some examples are rhododendron, Sago Palm, and azaleas, to name a few. For a complete list of #toxic plants, visit the aspca.org site or ask your veterinarian. My vet gave me a full printed list to take home when I first got #Chachi.
6. Spring Cleaning Time
Almost all household #chemicals used for cleaning are harmful to your pet. If possible, try to use natural cleaning products, like vinegar, or buy #petfriendly cleaning products. If not, let your pet spend the day outside while you clean to avoid exposure to these harsh ingredients. Always air out the house before allowing #pets back inside. If you have indoor pets, keep doors and windows open to vent out house and maybe put your pet in a room that hasn't been cleaned yet.
7. Lawn Care
It's time to kill those weeds and spread that #fertilizer. All these yard sprays and granules contain #poisonous chemicals that are harmful to our babies. Again, try to seek out #petfriendly lawn care, if possible. If not, ALWAYS READ THE WARNING LABELS! Follow the guidelines and wait time to keep you pet #safe. Just two days ago, I sprayed the weeds in my lawn where #Chachi likes to sit and bask in the sunshine. I had to wait until the product dried completely before he could be allowed to walk around again. I read the labels and lifted him up and carried him to the concrete so we could go out for our walk. Getting that stuff on his little #paws would have been harmful. If he had decided to groom later, he'd be licking off and injesting that chemical that is only meant to kill weeds, not him. And wouldn't ya know it, this morning, he decided he needed a grassy snack, too! I stopped him in time but he'll have to wait until I mow the lawn again to make sure none of that stuff is still present.
8. Usually, bugs like #fleas, #ticks, and #mosquitos will emerge after the ground thaws. But, since we're in #Texas and our #Winter was extremely short, and we have yet to see a hard freeze; those #bugs are ready and waiting, if not already on your #pet. Make sure all pets are current on flea and tick preventative. #Mosquito bites are the usual cause for #heartworms developing in pets. So, keep those #citronella candles burning. Now, we also have the #Zikavirus to worry about for us humans, though I'm not sure if it affects #pets. Keep those heartworm meds consistent, too. If you skip, the #vet will insist on testing your pet for heartworms first, and it can get pricey if you're on a budget. Plus, giving this medication to a pet who is already heartworm positive, can harm them. So, don't skip, it's only $5. a pill for #Hearguard. I use #Trifexis on #Chachi, it has everything in one pill.
I hope you found the #Spring #petsafetytips helpful. Above all, have fun in the sun and be mindful of what your pets are up to out there. Take care!