Although tourists think San Diego enjoys summer weather all year round, we who live here feel the change of seasons. With the arrival of Spring and warmer weather, you and your pet are probably getting out more and enjoying the sunny days before “May grey” and “June gloom” arrive. You may already be planning to take your dog to the beach. But before you engage in too many activities with your pet, it’s not a bad idea to take a dose of prevention with a few good tips as you welcome another fabulous San Diego springtime.

Gardening tips

Spring is a great time to plant beautiful warm season plants for your summer garden. But do your research first. Did you know that some popular plants can harm your pets and even be fatal? Pet parents will want to avoid flowering plants like Easter lilies, Hyacinths, Tulips, Daffodils, Azalea, Kalanchoe, and Cyclamen among others. Avid gardeners might want to use non-chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Look out for Blood meal, Bone meal and rose and plant fertilizers as these can cause serious problems and even fatalities. For more on gardening with pets generally, check out 20 tips for gardening with dogs. And for info with local flavor, try the collection of articles on planting with your pet written by our friends at at San Diego Pet Lovers Publications.  If you are new to the San Diego area, you’ll find gardening here is different than in less temperate climates.

Home cleaning tips

Spring cleaning is in. As you get busy with spring cleaning and home improvement rituals, you might want to consider checking the ingredients in your household cleaners as they can be pretty harmful to your pet. Be cautious in using those indoor chemicals and store them away from playful pets. You might also want to put away paint, nails, and staples as these objects can hurt your pet.

Avoid unwanted pests

Unwanted pests like fleas and ticks love springtime too, and they can pose a huge problem among pets and even us humans.  There are natural ways to help your pet resist these unwanted pests. Digestive enzymes and probiotics can be added to your pet’s diet, and natural oils are available that act as repellants. It is also very important to check your pet regularly, and keep up with their grooming to be sure they stay free from fleas and ticks. If you do find yourself having to deal with a flea infestation, check our previous post on cleaning up a dog with fleas.

Fight allergies

Your pets can be allergic to environmental factors such as pollen. This results in runny nose and itchy ears and nose. Watch out for symptoms that affect your pet like itchy skin, and the act of licking the paws and the base of the tail. Constant itching and licking can cause rashes and irritation, and might lead to serious infection. We’ve posted previously about itchy dogs & allergies. Talk to your vet about it. But meanwhile, get out there and enjoy San Diego’s lovely Spring weather. It’s beautiful out there!