By Brianna Hansen
Spring arrives with a sense of rejuvenation. The air smells brighter, the days stretch a little longer, and suddenly everyone is outside again. Sidewalks fill up, patios reopen, and your dog is vibrating at the door. After months of winter hibernation, muddy paws, and cozy couch marathons, this is the season when routines shift. And that shift is the perfect excuse to give your pet’s wellness a little tune up!
Start with grooming. Spring shedding is not subtle, and regular brushing helps remove that undercoat before it decorates your couch (and carpet, clothes, car). It also helps keep skin healthy and gives you a chance to check for anything unusual. But if your dog has been rocking the “cozy yet chaotic” winter look, a professional groomer might be the answer.
Flea & tick prevention also becomes paramount in spring. Warmer weather means more time outside and more tiny bugs waiting in trails and tall grass. And parasites are not just itchy, they often carry diseases that put your pet at risk. If you paused prevention during colder months, now’s the time to restart and make sure your pet is protected before peak pest season.
Spring’s also a great time to check in on vaccines. As pets socialize more at parks, patios, and neighborhood strolls, exposure risks increase. Staying current on core vaccines helps protect not just your pet, but the wider pet community.
Next up, the stunning seasonal hazards. Spring blooms may be beautiful, but sadly, not all plants are pet-friendly. Tulips, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, hydrangeas, crocus, azaleas, peonies, and many others can cause serious health issues for pets if ingested. Fresh mulch, lawn treatments, fertilizers, and even puddles with runoff can harbor toxins, too. Keep an eye on what your pet is sniffing or sampling, especially if they consider themselves a culinary adventurer!
Finally, just like their human friends, allergies tend to flare this time of year for pets. If you notice excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, or watery eyes, a quick veterinary check can help identify seasonal allergies and keep your pet comfortable.
Worried about the cost? Local shelters like Humane Animal Partners and Faithful Friends offer low-cost wellness and vaccine clinics to keep your pets healthy on a budget.
Spring is about renewal, and while you’re swapping sweaters for sunshine, your pet is ready for their own seasonal reset, too. A little brushing, a little prevention, and a watchful eye on blooming backyards go a long way toward keeping tails wagging and whiskers twitching. Because nothing pairs better with longer days than a healthy, four-legged friend by your side.
– Look for the this month’s Humane Animal Partners (HAP) sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka featured adoptable pets in the print version of this month’s issue, linked here.
