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Benefits of Pet Ownership, Dog Owner, Dog Safety, Outdoor Enthusiast, Pet Care, Pet Insurance

How to Get Your Dog Ready for Spring

by Jose Sierra a happy dog
February 22, 2023

As the winter months are slowly rolling by, we are all looking forward to spring’s sunnier, warmer days. Spring tends to be a joyous time for all people, but especially for dog owners. The fact that you don’t have to suffer cold and snow to take your dog for a walk is why they welcome spring with open arms. However, it is essential to note that, as a dog owner, you shouldn’t idly wait for spring to arrive. Instead, it would help if you looked to prepare your pet for the upcoming months. In this article, we will outline all you need to do to get your dog ready for spring.

Get your dog ready for spring!

If you’ve owned your dog for a while, you are likely familiar with the changes they undergo in spring. The mood change, the shedding, the increased energy — all these are expected natural transitions for your pet. However, there can be special circumstances, like seasonal depression or increased shedding, that can affect the health of your pets. Therefore, you must know how to prepare them so that your furry friend will remain happy and healthy.

Visiting the vet

One of the best times to take your pet to a vet is at the end of winter. Spring brings allergies, tics, and various other issues that pets face. In light of that, vets tend to be overcrowded during warmer months. So, to avoid crowds, take your dog to your vet for a checkup. The vet will inform you about your dog’s health and whether you should change its diet. Depending on the breed, adding certain supplements to boost their immune system can be wise. And the sooner you start doing so, the better.

A vet with a dog, showing an important part of how to get your dog ready for spring.

Frequent checkups will ensure that your dog is healthy and they are not stressed out by the vet.

Brushing

One of the telltale signs that warmer times are upon us is that our furry friends start to shed their winter coats. The best way to help your dog with this is with regular brushing. Doing so accomplishes a couple of things:

  • You localize the fur that your dog sheds, thus making it easier to clean.
  • You hasten the shedding process, thus allowing your dog to feel more comfortable.
  • You are able to check whether your dog sheds naturally.

If your dog doesn’t shed or has uneven or increased shedding, you’d want to talk to a vet. Also, keep in mind that some dog breeds may require specialized brushes. So, you’d be smart to research yours and get one if necessary.

Preventing fleas, ticks, and heartworms

If you give your dog flea, tics, and heartworm medicine year-round, you won’t have to worry about this. However, if you only give them seasonal protection, now is the time to do so. While it is possible to remove fleas, ticks, and heartworms, it is far better to prevent them from the start. The problem of fleas, ticks, and heartworms is something you should discuss with your vet. They will provide different options and help you find the one that suits your dog best.

Spring cleaning

In order to keep your dog happy and healthy, you also need to keep them clean. Therefore, we recommend that you clean all of their stuff during your spring clean. Ideally, you should do so while they are away for a walk, as they won’t be bothered by you moving their toys.

A dog sitting on a pillow.

It is not enough to simply get your dog ready for spring. You also need to prepare their items.

If you plan on washing their sleeping pillow or blanket, make sure to use a mild detergent without strong smells. You should also disinfect their toys, food dishes, and eating mats. Once your dog comes back from the walk, make sure to check their collar, leash, and harness.

Preparing the yard and the dog house

If you live in a house, you should look to prepare your yard for your pet. This entails cleaning it and removing any hazards where your dog could injure itself. You should also check your fence and see if it is sturdy and tall enough to keep your dog in. Any holes or weak points should be addressed to prevent your dog from escaping. It would help if you also did this when moving with pets to a new home. By doing so, you will make relocation easier on them as they will be able to play from the moment you arrive.

Similarly, you should inspect the dog house and ensure it is in tip-top condition. If you plan on repainting it, you should do so before you put your dog into it. The same goes for cleaning and disinfecting the house and everything in it.

Increasing exercise

The last thing to do is to slowly increase the amount of exercise that your dog gets. As summer draws closer, they will naturally become more energetic. Therefore, the best action is to increase their playtime and walk slowly. This increase in exercise should also reflect an increase in food, but you’d be wise to double-check with the vet. If you have a closed yard, your dog will naturally vent all the extra energy. But know that even the biggest yards can’t replace being outside and playing with other dogs. 

A dog running after a ball on a field of grass.

Every dog needs regular exercise in order to stay happy and healthy.

Final thoughts

If you’ve done what we’ve outlined, you can rest assured that you’ve successfully prepared your dog for spring. But, before we finish, we must note that no two dogs are alike. Depending on your dog’s age, health, and personality, you may have to do things differently in order to prepare them for spring. So, you must pay close attention to your dog and see how seasons change affects them. In accordance with this, you should also get proper pet insurance as a way to make unexpected medical needs easier to manage.

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Author bio:

Josh Wright has worked as a content creator and marketing manager for over 15 years. He now focuses on writing helpful articles regarding animal health and well-being for websites like packandgomoversny.com.

Check out the Best Pet Insurance that will suit you and your Pet at https://www.theinsuredpet.com/insurance-review

Tags: Benefits of Pet Ownership, Dog Owner, Dog Safety, Outdoor Enthusiast, Pet Care, Pet Insurance

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