Orange Cat Sniffing Flowers | Taste of the Wild

Ahhh, spring: time to fling open the windows, order from gardening catalogs and scrub your home until it sparkles. With the spring thaw comes a burst of energy to freshen up the indoors and get moving outdoors. But many of those activities can pose some dangers for pets. That’s why Taste of the Wild offers these important spring pet safety tips.

Spiff Up the House with Care

Now’s the time to pry pet hair from between the couch cushions and toss those pet beds in the laundry. Just remember to keep pets away from laundry pods, which can cause vomiting, coughing and other respiratory issues. Pets that like to chew on unused fabric softener sheets can experience ulcers in their mouths and throats, and when enough dryer sheets are consumed, they can lead to a gastrointestinal blockage.

Not that your pets will help with spring cleaning, but they may try to lick at something you’ve just cleaned. So keep them away from potentially toxic products such as undiluted bleach, oven and grill cleaners, toilet and drain cleaners, rust removers and calcium/lime removers.

As a reminder, this holds true all year round. It’s just much more common to have cleaners out in the open come springtime.

Plan Your Garden Wisely

If you have a dog who loves to dig in the garden (we’re talking about you, dachshunds and Jack Russell terriers), don’t let them near tulips, hyacinths or daffodils. Chewing on the bulbs, where the toxins are most concentrated, can result in vomiting, diarrhea and worse.

Azaleas and rhododendrons can be a problem for both cats and dogs. All parts of the plants are poisonous, and some pets only need to eat one or two leaves to experience signs of toxicity including vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and seizures.

Although some lilies are safe for cats, others can cause acute kidney failure and death. Among the most dangerous are Easter, day, tiger, stargazer, Asiatic and Japanese show lilies. It only takes a few leaves, petals or a bit of pollen to cause a problem. Even drinking the water from the vase is dangerous. Signs of toxicity include drooling, vomiting, frequent urination and seizures.

No-So-Friendly Flowers for Pets Chart | Taste of the Wild

Curb Other Gardening Hazards

Love the sweet scent of cocoa bean mulch? Your dog probably does, too. But this kind of mulch can contain the same potentially toxic substances found in chocolate. If your dog eats large quantities, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, gastrointestinal blockages and worse.

While you might assume that gardening with compost is natural and safe, decaying organic matter is the perfect environment for molds to flourish. When mycotoxins from the molds are eaten by pets or wildlife, they can produce signs such as panting, vomiting, tremors and seizures. So fence off any compost to prevent animal access.

As you can imagine, bone and blood meal are particularly attractive to dogs. But when large amounts are eaten, a solid clump can form in the stomach or intestines, acting as a roadblock and possibly requiring emergency surgery. Fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides containing organophosphates can produce life-threatening effects, even in small amounts, so it’s best to read the label and avoid them when possible.

Protect Your Pet from Parasites

As soon as the mercury begins to rise, fleas, ticks and mosquitos — the carriers of heartworms — become active, too. Once fleas get to your pet, they can overrun your house, transmit tapeworms (to pets and family members), and cause severe itching. Ticks and mosquitos can also transmit disease-causing agents. If your pet hunts prey or frequents the dog park, they can be at risk for intestinal worms transmitted from other animals. It’s best to see your veterinarian for an effective and safe parasite preventive.

Prepare for Thunderstorms

Many dogs experience extreme anxiety at loud noises, such as thunder and fireworks. At the first hint of a storm, they may pace and whimper, hide or become immobilized. If left alone in the house during a storm, stressed dogs may attempt to escape, scratching and chewing near doors or even leaping through windows.

If that sounds familiar, prepare for storm season with a visit to your veterinarian. They can recommend behavior techniques that may help your dog become less sensitive to noises. Providing your dog with a “safe room” that’s away from windows and filled with their favorite bed and toys may offer a quiet respite. There are also pressure shirts and medications that can help your dog ride out the storm.

Keep Poison Control On Hand

Remember, if you’re worried that your pet may have been exposed to something toxic, contact your veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. With a little forethought and preparation, you can make the most of spring with your pet — while keeping them safe.

The information in this blog has been developed with our veterinarian and is designed to help educate pet parents. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health or nutrition, please talk with your veterinarian.