Home Pet Education Pet Health Advice

Get Advice from a Vet

ASK A VET
Veterinarian, DVM, MBA
Get free advice on diet, health, fitness, and wellness questions within 3 business days via email.
Enjoy a Special Gift for Being an AutoShip Customer
Get one 30-minute FREE VetLive appointment with a Vetster vet!
Book a VetLive Appointment

5 Things Smart Pet Parents Do To Prepare Pets for Spring

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Back to results
Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Thank you! Your question has been submitted.

You will receive an answer from Dr. Lindsay and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.

All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.

It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Oops! Your question has not been submitted.

An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Got questions? Ask Dr. Lindsay & our Vet Team:

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Do these answer your question?
Showing of | See All
Have another question, or can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
Category

Things Smart Pet Parents Do To Prepare Pets for Spring

Now that the snow is melted and the clocks have sprung forward, it’s time to prep your pets to make sure they’re safe, healthy, and ready to enjoy the sunny weather. Here’s your quick 5-point springtime to-do list to get your pet prepared for spring.

5 Ways To Prep Your Pet for Spring

  • 1 Start brushing more. In pets that shed seasonally, the warmer weather and longer hours of exposure to sunlight will prompt their body to produce hormones that cue shedding of their old winter coat. You might notice more shed fur on your clothes and furniture. In cats, you might see more hairballs as your cat ingests more loose fur. Brush your pet more often with a slicker brush or deshedding tool that’s designed to reach through the topcoat to loosen the downy, shedding undercoat. By brushing, you’ll remove loose fur before it lands on your couch, and for cats, before it can become a hairball.
  • 2 Avoid plants that are poisonous to pets. April showers may bring May flowers, but flowers can bring potentially deadly poisons into your home. All plant bulbs are highly toxic to dogs and cats. Spring bouquets and potted plants often contain lilies, daffodils, azaleas, or tulips, all of which are toxic if your pet ingests them, or even brushes up against a toxic plant and licks remnants of pollen off their fur or paws.
  • 3 Keep pets away from tasty yet toxic spring treats. Easter, as well as other spring holidays, birthdays, and get-together mean candy, sweets, and baked goods that can be toxic to pets. Chocolate, raisins, grapes, xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in gum and special diet foods), nuts, fatty foods, tamarind candy, and baked goods made with cream of tartar can all lead to an emergency vet visit. Keep dogs and cats away from all for-people foods, especially those with toxic or unknown ingredients.
  • 4 Protect your pet with flea, tick, and heartworm meds. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes that spread heartworm disease can become active as soon as temperatures are over 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t forget to order flea and tick prevention for your pet, and schedule their annual vet appointment as soon as possible to schedule their heartworm testing and renew their prescription.
  • 5 Spay and neuter by spring. Cats go into season in the early spring, leading to an overabundance of kittens in shelters and rescues in the late spring and summer. Though dogs go into season year-round, shelters tend to be overwhelmed in the summertime, making it harder to find homes for unwanted puppies. If your dog or cat is not spayed or neutered, and their vet has not advised to delay the procedure, schedule their appointment as soon as possible to avoid an accidental litter.

    • With your pets ready for spring, you can look forward to spending more time outdoors with your four-legged family members. Stay up-to-date on their flea and tick protection, look out for health hazards, and most of all, enjoy a happy and healthy spring and summer with your pet.

     

    VISION

    Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.

    Swipe

    Products You Might Like