Springing into Spring – 5 Tips for preparing your dog for the Spring Season!
It might sound silly, but the changing of the season brings preparation for your dogs as well as you! While you might be focused on cleaning up the house, or sorting the garden ready for summer, we have pulled together 5 top tips for preparing your pooch for the upcoming season.
1. Create a Tick and Flea Prevention Plan
With the warmer weather comes an increased risk of tick and flea infestations. To protect your dog, it's important to create a prevention plan that includes regular grooming and the use of flea and tick treatments.
We have been speaking with Caroline Hearn, a holistic health specialist and owner of Hedgerow Hounds about how you can treat your dogs for fleas and ticks naturally using a variety of herbs and botanicals. One of her bestselling products, Nature’s Bounty contains an array of these ingredients to assist the body in repelling fleas and ticks while promoting overall good health and vitality.
You should start feeding Nature’s Bounty in the Spring and allow up to 6 weeks for full effectiveness. It’s also a good idea to take a break from this particular blend for a month over the Winter period, ideally January, and start afresh the following Spring.
You can find her products, including Natures Bounty over on her website. (There will also be a bag included in the March edition of the Collar Club box!)
You can also try natural remedies such as essential oils, like geranium and apple cider vinegar to repel ticks and fleas. Be sure to research and consult with your vet before trying any new treatments.
2. Schedule a Checkup with the Vet (If needed!)
Before the spring season starts, it's always a good idea to schedule a check up with your dog's vet. This is a great opportunity to make sure your dog is up to date on all necessary vaccinations (or to get them titre tested if you prefer) and to address any potential health concerns.
You can also spend some time handling your pooch to see if they have any sore patches, cracked pads, or other skin irritations caused by the harsh winter weather!
If you don't think they need vet assistance, but want to give them a bit of TLCm you can check out our A-Z natural health guide here.
3. Increase Exercise Gradually
The arrival of spring brings warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours, which means more opportunities for outdoor activities with your dog! However, after a winter of inactivity, it's important to gradually increase your dog's exercise routine to avoid injury or exhaustion. Start with short walks or play sessions and gradually build up to longer, more intense activities!
Also, don’t forget that with them being more active, you might want to adjust their food intake too. Winston tends to have slightly more food in summer than winter as he spends so much more time outdoors chasing pigeons!
4. Update ID Tags and Microchip Information
With the increased activity that comes with the spring season, it's more important than ever to make sure your dog's identification tags and microchip information are up to date. In the event that your dog becomes lost or separated from you, having accurate contact information can make all the difference in being reunited. In the UK, there are multiple registers that your dogs details can be added too, you can find all of these here.
5. Spring Cleaning for Your Dog's Space
Spring cleaning isn't just for your home - it's also a great opportunity to give your dog's space a thorough cleaning. This includes washing your dog's bedding, toys, and any other items they regularly use. It's also a good time to check for any potential hazards or areas that need repair, such as loose fencing or holes in the yard.
If you have a sighthound, or a breed that requires outdoor wear, you should take this time to ensure that they have the appropriate wear for the warmer weather. (We highly recommend taking a look at our friends Redhound for Dogs for some stylish tees!)
So there you have it, our top tips for Springing into action for the new season. Is there anything else you do to prepare your dog for Spring?
Love,
Jo & Winston
xxx