Tips for a carefree spring with your dog

Enjoying spring despite pollen allergies

‍Areyou one of those people for whom grasses, hazelnuts and the like trigger watery eyes and a nasty tingling sensation in the nose? Pollen allergies are usually at their worst in spring, when the plants wake up from their winter hibernation and the pollen count beginsDid you know that dogs can also suffer from pollen allergies? Symptoms of a pollen allergy in dogs can include

• Reddening of the skin
• Itching
• Nibbling and biting on the paws or the rest of the body
• Frequent sneezing
• conjunctivitis or
• Swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract

To give your dog relief, you should clean its coat and paws with a damp cloth after walks to remove pollen. Special allergy shampoos can provide additional relief if used regularly. If the symptoms are severe, it is advisable to consult a vet who can recommend appropriate treatment if necessary.

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Pests on the rise: protection against parasites

‍Withthe rising temperatures in spring, parasites also become active again. They often lurk in the tall grass and infest the dog when it brushes past them. You should therefore check your dog immediately after every walk, as the ticks first look for a suitable spot and may not have attached themselves yet. If a tick has nevertheless bitten into your dog, you can carefully remove it using tick tweezers, for example. Quick removal is important as many tick-borne diseases are often only transmitted after 16 - 24 hours. The bite site should then be observed for possible reactions.

A tick repellent is also recommended to effectively protect your dog from tick-borne Lyme disease. It is best to ask your vet which preventative measures may be necessary and useful for your dog.

Toxic substances and plants in nature

‍Springdoesn't just entice us with its beautiful flowers, it also harbors dangers from poisonous plants and substances. Many common garden plants such as crocuses, snowdrops and tulips are poisonous to dogs and should not be eaten under any circumstances.

In general, you should pay particular attention to what your dog sniffs or eats along the roadside, especially in spring. During this time, for example, horses are being wormed and residues of the medication may be found in the horse's apples. If the dog eats these, symptoms of poisoning such as tremors or diarrhea can occur depending on the amount of drug residue ingested, and high doses can even be life-threatening. Weedkillers and fertilizers are also applied in spring and should not come into contact with dogs. Dogs should therefore be kept on a lead or kept at heel to prevent them from sniffing in other people's gardens or fields.

Puddle water seems to magically attract dogs' noses. The muddier it is, you might think, the more interesting it apparently smells to our four-legged friends. This tempts many four-legged friends to take a few quick sips and then continue their walk. But this can have fatal consequences. Puddles are often home to harmful bacteria and parasites such as giardia.
So it's best not to allow your dog to drink from puddles in general.

Unfortunately, poisoned bait is not only an issue in spring. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a poisoned bait, the first thing to do is to take it to the vet, even if the animal is not yet showing any symptoms. At the latest when signs of poisoning appear, such as salivation, staggering, diarrhea, vomiting, pale mucous membranes or listlessness, every minute counts. It makes sense to contact the vet in advance so that they are prepared.

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Coat change in spring

‍Assoon as the temperatures rise and the days get longer again, our dogs are about to change their coat from warm winter fur to summer fur. They lose their undercoat over a period of six to eight weeks. In old animals, animals in heat, neutered animals or stressed animals, the shedding process can sometimes take longer or be more severe. Dog owners can help their pets by combing out loose hair every day. Combing out the hair provides noticeable relief, especially for thick coats. For the dog, but also for the owner, as less hair needs to be picked up in the home.

The comb or brush should not tear or cut the hair. A comb with long, rounded teeth is ideal for long, woolly coats, while short teeth are often an advantage for rough-haired breeds

If your dog sheds more frequently during the shedding period or loses its coat unevenly, allergies, hormonal disorders or parasites may be the reason. In this case, a visit to the vet is recommended.

Some breeds, such as the poodle, have no undercoat. These dogs should have their coats clipped or trimmed regularly. Important to bear in mind: if the coat is too short, dogs can get sunburnt or suffer from the cold if frost does occur. Therefore, the dog's coat should not be cut too short.

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Spring is mating season

Especially in spring, dogs and owners enjoy more frequent and longer walks again and therefore meet more other dogs who want to play and romp around together. However, dog owners should bear the following in mind when going on outings: For female dogs, the first heat of the year often falls in spring. If the bitch is in heat, she is ready to conceive offspring. After the quieter winter months, dog owners should therefore be particularly vigilant in spring.

Male dogs can smell the pheromones emitted by bitches in heat from a distance. For safety reasons, it is therefore advisable to always keep your dog on a lead when out walking - this applies to both males and females.

With bitches in heat, it is also advisable to walk on paths with as little traffic as possible and, if possible, to choose times when there are only a few other dogs out and about. If another human-dog pair is spotted, you should keep a sufficient distance from the other dog.

If a male dog nevertheless reaches a female dog and "jumps" her, you should wait and see. A violent separation of the two could lead to injuries. The bitch should be taken to a veterinary practice as soon as possible to stop the fertilization. The owner of the male dog is liable for the costs if the bitch was under control.

If the dog suffers a lot during heat or is prone to false pregnancy, dog owners should seek advice from their vet. If necessary, it may be advisable to suppress the heat with hormone injections or to stop it by neutering.

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