IS IT REALLY SPRING?
According to the calendar, the first day of Spring, 2018, has come and gone, but as Henry Van Dyke said years ago, “The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another.” Iowa has yet to see the first spring day of this year. Hopefully Spring will actually arrive before this piece hits the news stand, but more pleasant weather also presents dangers for pets which are not as prevalent in the colder months.
The plants that begin to bloom are beautiful to look at, but some of these plants can cause serious problems for our pets. Lilies are one of the most common poisonous plants found both in gardens and in bouquets, and are poisonous to dogs. Rhododendrons, azaleas, foxglove, tulips, oleanders, caster beans, chrysanthemums, and many other familiar spring plants can be toxic to unsuspecting curious pets. (Check ASPCA for a complete list of dangerous plants.) Spiders, bees, and other little critters often hide in plants and can sting or bite a curious dog, and if your dog gets stung, it is wise to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Lawn herbicides or pesticides can poison pets. Keep your animals out of the yard while spraying and use caution for several days later. Be alert to your pet walking on these surfaces since cleaning or licking their paws later can contribute to ingestion of the poison. Also take care if you are poisoning rodents or other pests since your pets may ingest one of the dead critters and suffer from those consequences.
Stagnant water and rain puddles can provide great breeding places for mosquito larvae and other parasites, and dogs should not be allowed to drink out of these pools of water. Runoff with insecticides and other herbicides can result in horrible consequences, and you never know what else could be concentrated there.
Springtime is also fishing and hunting time. Be alert around water areas for fishing lines, hooks, discarded bait and other related items. If you are around wooded areas, there may be traps or poison bait left out by hunters or irritated neighbors. Predatory animals such as coyotes may pose some risk now too, since they may have litters of cubs that they need to feed and are looking for easy prey.
Spring house cleaning is an annual event in most households, and many household cleaners contain chlorine, ammonia, and foaming agents that are harmful to animals. Dogster.com lists specific products that are not pet safe, and are commonly found in most homes. According to studies measuring volatile organic compounds, three common cleaners– Pledge, Clorox Wipes, and Lysol Disinfecting Spray– registered close to a thousand times more vapor pressure than a natural cleaner. This means that even when the toxic cleaners are put away and closed, the vapors left behind can continue to harm both humans and pets. Pine Sol, Mr. Clean, 409, and even Windex are toxic products, as well as many laundry detergents. . Never use them when your pet is in the same room, and air out the house after cleaning with them. Make sure that all toxic products are stored out of reach of children and pets.
If you are uncertain as to the safety of a product, you will find a wealth of information about what’s toxic to dogs on Dogster.com. Check it out; I was certainly appalled at the toxic products I use on a daily basis, and I would guess you will be too. You and your dog will be healthier and safer if you use cleaning products that are pet safe!
