Blog Springtime Hazards All Pet Parents Should Be Aware Of
With the weather warming up, it’s time to refresh your memory on pet hazards that are unique to this time of the year. We’ve gathered the most important hazards to be aware of this time of year, along with springtime dog safety tips to reduce the risk.
Bufo Toads
Bufo toads are also called cane toads, giant toads, and marine toads. If the toad feels threatened, it secretes a toxin, which is a whitish liquid. This is a major springtime dog safety issue, as the toxin is highly toxic to dogs. It is also highly toxic to other animals, including cats, and can irritate human skin.
The bufo toads are attracted to your dog’s water and food bowls if they’re left outside. They may even just sit in the water for a long time, letting their toxin leach into it. Your dog may directly lick or bite the toad or just drink contaminated water.
Your dog needs to immediately go to the vet if you suspect bufo toad poisoning.
Prevent this problem by always supervising your dog when he is outside and putting him on a leash. Take a flashlight with you on nighttime walks. And don’t leave your dog’s food or water bowls outside, since you don’t want to accidentally attract bufo toads.
Fertilizer and Mulch
Fertilizer and mulch may seem innocent, as they help your plants grow. But most will contain herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. Even without these chemicals, they have nitrogen and iron, both of which are toxic to your dog in larger amounts.
Prevent problems by keeping an eye on your dog and not letting him roam without supervision. If you’re worried about him digging and eating what he finds, consider dog training in West Palm Beach to work on overcoming that habit.
Heartworm
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, and as those insects come out in larger numbers in the spring, the risk of heartworm increases this time of the year. Untreated heartworm can cause death.
This is one of the pet hazards that is easy to prevent with modern veterinary medicine. Just ask your vet about preventative treatment.
Tick-borne Disease
Ticks can spread a long list of diseases to both humans and dogs. Watch out for:
- Babesiosis
- Tularemia
- Anaplasmosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Ehrlichiosis
- Lyme disease
The best way to prevent these pet hazards is to give your dog a preventative flea and tick treatment. Your vet can suggest one if you aren’t sure which one to use.
Slug Bait (Metaldehyde)
You may not realize it, but slug bait is among the most common pet hazards in the spring. That is because these baits typically feature metaldehyde, a poison that is sweet to your pet.
If you suspect your dog ingested slug bait, take him to the vet immediately.
Snakes
North America has 20 different species of venomous snakes, and there are plenty in Florida. Some of these can bite your dog even if they don’t have a face-to-face meeting.
The advice for preventing snake bites is similar to many of the other springtime dog safety tips on this list: Keep an eye on your dog.
Conclusion
Springtime comes with its own set of pet hazards, but being prepared can help you minimize the risk. The key to preventing most issues is to keep an eye on your dog. If he has an overabundance of energy that tends to get him into trouble, you could even consider a dog daycare in West Palm Beach to get rid of some of the excess energy.
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