Protecting Your Pets Through The Seasons

The turning of the seasons offers pets new and exciting adventures in the great outdoors. However, as the weather changes, so too do the potential hazards outside of the home. As a pet parent, it’s up to you to keep your beloved feline or canine companion out of harm’s way. Below, we’ll go over some of the common injuries that pets may experience seasonally and ways you can help prevent them from happening.

Ah, spring. It’s such a refreshing time of the year as plants burst into life. Of course, some of those same springtide plants could be hiding danger behind their newly grown leaves. Hyacinth, Irises, tulips and daffodils are all toxic to dogs. To keep your pooch safe, be sure to look up the kinds of plant life harmful to dogs and how to recognize them. Another best practice is to choose walking routes away from flowerbeds and other plant-filled areas. Lastly, when planting your own garden, opt for pet-safe varieties to avoid any unfortunate run-ins at home.

The sunny days of summer also present certain hazards. The most apparent would be hot weather. Dogs and cats left outside too long on a hot summer day are vulnerable to heat stroke. That’s especially true if they’ve been active without adequate access to water. Pet owners are encouraged to learn the signs of overheating before it escalates. Along the same lines is ensuring their animals have sufficient shelter and water throughout the entire day.

With a dazzling array of colors and the relief from scorching temperatures, autumn is often a favorite season for many. It also features several holidays that come with risks to pets. For instance, the hustle and bustle of Halloween has the potential to injure your pets in numerous ways. There are choking hazards from décor and costumes, as well as the increased accessibility to chocolate and sweets that contain xylitol. To help protect your pet from fall’s threats, remember to supervise them around sources of human food, isolate them from stressful encounters and take other preventive measures as the holidays roll around.

Playing with your pup in a winter wonderland is a great way to get exercise on those short winter days. That being said, the cold weather can be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. One winter-related ailment vets are seeing more often is canine flu. Although humans cannot catch this highly contagious respiratory infection, they can spread it on their hands. To protect your pet’s health, be on the lookout for symptoms such as fever, coughing and nasal discharge. If you believe your dog has contracted the canine influenza virus, schedule a visit with the vet right away.

These are just some examples of seasonal injuries that your pets could face. For additional information and pointers, please see the accompanying resource from Scout Veterinary Care.

Infographic provided by Scout Veterinary Care, experts on pet urgent care

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