It is such a joy to take your dog out for a walk in the spring sunshine. Here are a few reminders of do’s and don’ts to keep them safe.
Do:
Keep your dog under control at all times around livestock. Especially sheep who are pregnant or have lambs with them in the spring. Farmers have every right to shoot your dog if it is found worrying sheep.
Look out for adders in coastal/moorland habitats. They often come out to get the first warm rays of sun on them. Adder bites can be fatal to both dogs and humans – if your pet gets bitten by an adder, seek veterinary advice immediately and carry them back to the car.
Don’t:
Throw sticks for your dog. Every year dogs throughout the country undergo surgery to their necks and throats because they got impaled on the stick their owner had thrown for them. Some of the injuries they sustain are horrific and can be life-threatening. In other cases splinters which cannot be found, cause chronic and debilitating infections within the body, over years.
Use balls to throw that are too small. Small smooth balls can get stuck at the back of the mouth in the entrance to the airway and cause suffocation.
Forget that female cats will start to come into season now the days are getting longer, so if you brought home a kitten over the winter months, make sure you get them neutered as soon as possible!
Lastly, but not least, don’t forget to make sure your bunny is vaccinated. Wild rabbits start to hop about in the spring warmth and can transmit deadly Myxomatosis to unprotected pet rabbits via biting insects and fleas.
