{"id":4747,"date":"2014-03-17T01:54:24","date_gmt":"2014-03-17T01:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gypsydogops.com\/?p=4747"},"modified":"2016-03-16T19:26:41","modified_gmt":"2016-03-16T19:26:41","slug":"spring-tips-for-fido","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gypsydogops.com\/?p=4747","title":{"rendered":"Spring Tips For Fido"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"photo<\/a>Like changing the batteries on the smoke detector, there are a few pet related things you should routinely check on in the spring.<\/p>\n

Fleas and heartworms:<\/strong> Warmer temperatures will bring back the fleas and mosquitoes seemingly overnight. If you have stopped your pet’s flea treatment, now is a good time to restart (before an infestation). If you have stopped or skipped your dog\u2019s heartworm preventative, now is a good time to get your dog tested and restart preventative. Heartworms are passed to dogs through mosquitoes. Because the Dallas mosquito population has a high incidence of heartworm<\/a>, we recommend year round heartworm preventative.<\/p>\n

Fencing:<\/strong> As you start to spruce up the yard, you also want to make sure your pet is safe and secure in your yard. Walk your fence and check for loose boards, spaces and gaps at the bottom of the fence, and check latches and locks.\u00a0 You should do this after any big spring storm as well. Many dogs get scared and get loose during a big spring storm. Make sure they have a dog house or a place they can go to feel safe if an unexpected storm blows in and you are not home. If you have an escape artist, check our links page for fence tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tags and Collar:<\/strong> Spring brings unpredictable weather that can blow fences open and weather that may cause families to evacuate quickly. (you should have an emergency emergency plans that include your pets)<\/a> Make sure your dog\u2019s collar is in good condition and that they have tags. If a dog gets out, people are more likely to stop and help a dog with a collar and tags \u2013 the collar and tags tell people that this is a socialized, owned dog. Rabies tags, while important, will not allow you to be contacted if the vet\u2019s office is closed. Help people find you quickly by make sure a current phone number is on the tag. If you haven\u2019t already, spring is also a great time to microchip your dog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"easter<\/a><\/p>\n

Easter:<\/strong>\u00a0 Easter is high holiday for animal emergencies.\u00a0Easter always brings lots of chocolate and Xylitol \u2013 which are both toxic to dogs. Keep the kid\u2019s Easter candy it in a safe place away from the pets. Teach your kids that chocolate and candy are bad for the dogs and help them understand that it will make the dogs sick.<\/p>\n

\"bunnies\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Bunnies and chics for Easter presents<\/strong>: \u00a095% of all bunnies and chic sold for Easter will die before their first birthday. Please, if you need to see cute bunnies and chicks, visit the internet (cuteoverload.com<\/a>), the zoo, or a farm.<\/p>\n

Mulch:<\/strong> A relatively new popular product to be aware of is cocoa mulch. It is often used as bedding mulch for flower beds. It is very attractive and makes for very dramatic contrast next to flowers, but it is highly toxic to dog<\/a>s. Avoid cocoa mulch if you have dogs. Be aware of this when you are in public parks as well. Keep the pups out of unknown flower beds and everything should be fine. Once you eliminate cocoa mulch, are all mulches the same? Cedar mulch gets bonus points as fleas do not like cedar.<\/p>\n

Dogs are more active in spring<\/strong> \u2013 so get out there and enjoy the beautiful spring days with your pets!<\/p>\n

Spring is mating season:<\/strong>\u00a0 Dogs are more active in the spring and they are also more actively looking for love. Call the\u00a0SPCA<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Dallas Animal Services<\/a>\u00a0for low cost spay and neuter options.<\/p>\n

Need a reason to spay or neuter? \u00a0The majority of loose dogs (owned or not) have not been spayed or neutered. Large packs are formed when male dogs start to pursue and vie for the attention of a lady dog in heat. Make your neighborhood safer by preventing both dog packs and more unwanted homeless animals born on the streets.<\/p>\n

We can stop this cycle of unwanted, homeless animals together. Prevention is the key and spay and neuter is the way. Through this great program, the cost barrier to a spay and neuter culture has been removed. Please advocate with your neighbors for a spay and neuter culture \u2013 not only is it the right thing to do,\u00a0it\u2019s the law<\/a>! Share, share, share this link and this great resource.<\/p>\n

From the the\u00a0ASPCA<\/a>\u00a0on why you should spay and neuter:<\/strong><\/p>\n