Spring is here, which is awesome! But while we're enjoying the sunshine and flowers, it's good to remember that there are some hidden dangers for our dogs this time of year. It's easy to think animals know what's bad for them, but that's not always true. As dog owners, we need to be mindful of certain flowers and other dangers that could harm them.

Poisonous Flowers and Plants 

Dogs love to explore using their senses – smelling, tasting, chewing, and rolling on everything. Flowers, plants, and fruits often look good enough to eat. Sadly, many common plants, spring flowers, and fruit trees found in our yards and parks contain toxins or seeds that can be very dangerous for pets. 

If you're planning to bring some plants indoors to cozy up with your dog during the colder months, it's important to know which plants and flowers are poisonous to dogs so you only choose safe plants for dogs.

Some houseplants that seem safe can actually be dangerous for dogs. Here are a few poisonous ones to keep away from dogs, including some popular holiday plants:

• Eucalyptus: Despite eucalyptus sometimes being used in flea treatments (which aren't guaranteed to work and can be unsafe), these plants and their oil are poisonous to dogs. If a dog eats eucalyptus, they might have diarrhea, vomit, or even have seizures. 
• Aloe Vera: While people can eat aloe vera and use it on their skin, dogs shouldn't eat it. If they do, they might have diarrhea, vomit, and get dehydrated. It's also possible for it to be toxic if they lick your skin after you've applied aloe. Because the symptoms, though usually mild, can still be unpleasant, it's best not to have aloe vera around when you have a dog. 
• Poinsettias: Poinsettias are a popular holiday flower, but be aware that they're toxic to dogs. The leaves are especially dangerous, as they can cause nausea, diarrhea, irritation of the mouth and esophagus, and vomiting.

Poisonous Plants in Your Yard

Many plants we love in our gardens can also be toxic for our pets. Here are some potential effects from common spring bulbs:

• Lilies: Lilies are notorious for being extremely toxic, especially to cats. Certain varieties, like calla lilies and peace lilies, contain tiny crystal-like structures (called cardiac glycosides). When a dog chews on these plants, these structures release toxins that can cause significant irritation if absorbed through the skin, particularly in and around the mouth. Eating this can cause a chain reaction of health issues, potentially harming the liver, bone marrow, and kidneys, and causing drooling, diarrhea, and vomiting. 
• Daffodils: Poisoning can cause vomiting, upset stomach, and drooling. But it can get worse, making dogs seem sleepy, unsteady on their feet, or even collapse. In serious cases, they might have seizures and changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Dogs can also get sick from eating the flowers or drinking water from a vase with daffodils in it. 
• Crocus: These flowers bloom in spring and are considered to have low toxicity. Eating them might only cause a mild upset stomach. Don't confuse these with autumn crocuses, which bloom in the fall and can cause severe stomach upset, kidney and liver problems, and bone marrow issues. 
• Tulips: The toxins in tulips irritate the mouth and stomach, usually causing diarrhea, vomiting, and drooling. Serious cases are rare, but they could lead to heart problems and trouble breathing.

Lungworm (also known as French Heartworm)

Because spring is often wet, slugs and snails are everywhere and may be infected with a dangerous parasite called lungworm. When your dog explores outside by sniffing around in the grass, drinking from puddles, or just nosing around, they might accidentally eat or lick slugs, snails, or the slime they leave behind. This increases the risk of them getting a lungworm infection.

Dog Allergies in Spring

The arrival of spring signals a change in seasons, and often, the beginning of allergy season. Flowers, trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen in the spring, causing allergies. Most people who have allergies start getting ready for it by buying medicine to help with their symptoms.

But we should also think about our dogs! They can also suffer from allergies in the spring, and believe us, seeing them uncomfortable is no fun for anyone – it's definitely no walk in the park for both of you.

To recognize the symptoms of allergies in your pet, pay attention to unusual chewing or licking, redness or rashes on their skin, scratching around their belly or groin, scratching their ears, scratching their face, hair loss, repeat ear or skin infections, and sore eyes.

It can take time to figure out what's causing your pet's allergies, but vets can do tests to find the problem. Once you know what's causing the allergies, your vet can find the best treatment.

Springtime Tick Dangers for Dogs

Ticks are super active in the spring, and they can transmit dangerous diseases, which you and your dog can catch.

Always check your dog for ticks after walks in the woods or parks. Run your hands all over their body, feeling for any lumps or bumps (don't forget to check inside their ears). It's important to remove ticks quickly and carefully. If you're not sure how to do it, ask your vet for help.

Never try to burn ticks off or cover them in lotions or petroleum jelly. This can actually make it more likely that your dog will get infected with diseases the ticks are carrying.

Hidden Snakes

As your pooch explores the outdoors this spring, be aware that pet dangers can also include snakes. With about 30 species of venomous snakes in the USA, there's a real possibility your pet could get bitten.

How your dog reacts to a snake bite depends on the snake's size and type, how much venom was injected, and your pet's size.

The signs of a snake bite can vary, but they might include sudden weakness or collapse, muscle shaking or twitching, vomiting, pupils that don't respond to light, blood in the urine, or muscle paralysis.

If your pet collapses and then seems to recover, that's a sign they received a dangerous amount of venom, and you need to see a vet immediately. The closer the bite is to the heart, the faster the venom spreads. Remember, quick treatment greatly increases your dog's chances of survival.

Final Thoughts

The best way to protect your dog is to learn about the common toxins in and around your home. That way, you can make sure your house is pet-proofed the right way. Be sure to keep all potentially harmful products in sealed containers and out of your pet's reach.

Please help us spread the word about springtime toxins and keep dogs safe by sharing this article.

Happy Springtime!