Spring Has Sprung!

It's spring in New Orleans and that means the return of warmer weather, as well as lots and lots of rainy days. It also means the return of mosquitoes and other undesirable insect pests, and because of the unseasonably warm 2015 winter, for many it may also mean battling with a worse than usual allergy season.

Now that we've (hopefully) seen the last blast of really cold air, we can all feel more encouraged to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, revitalize the garden, and get more exercise with our four-legged friends. For those who suffer with seasonal allergies it's not as easy to get motivated to get up and get out, and parenting a pet with allergies presents a whole other set of challenges altogether.

A common springtime question in garden centers is "what plants are safe/harmful around pets?" While there are a number of plants in the harmful category, the answer really has a lot to do with the age, size, and type of pet you have as well as the amount of plant chewed or consumed.

Because of the multitude of indoor and outdoor plants that can potentially pose a hazard to your four-legged family members, we've begun compiling a resource on Pinterest with links from a variety of sources to provide you with the most comprehensive information available.

Tulips, lilies, kalanchoes, azaleas, oleander, foxglove, and sago palms are just a sampling of common plants that can be poisonous to pets. It should also be noted that many products such as fertilizers and herbicides (including those labeled organic) can potentially be harmful to pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Remember, pets sometimes groom their paws so anything they step on could end up in their mouths.

Safe garden plants for pets include catnip and mint, basil, marigolds, cornflower, strawberries, coreopsis, and lavender. Indoor plants generally considered safe around pets include ferns, spider plants, African violets, and air plants. Please note that while some plants are safe for dogs, such as certain types of lilies, they are NOT safe for cats. If you have both dogs and cats be sure to choose plants that are safe for both.

As mentioned above, warm weather means the return mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Mosquitoes are known for spreading heartworm, while ticks transmit Lyme and other diseases that affect both pets and people. Fleas can transmit tapeworms, harmful bacteria, and even cause anemia. Check pets regularly for fleas and ticks and take pet-friendly preventive measures to control insects in your yard.

Spring is also the time of cleaning and clearing and you want to be sure that you tackle those tasks with your pets in mind. Don't let a mop bucket lead to a pet emergency, and make sure all cleaners are non-toxic and pet-friendly.

Shedding is one of the most challenging issues when living with a pet as hair gets everywhere, including on visiting guests. Lint rollers, brushes, dryer sheets, and squeegees are some of the tools that can help keep pet hair under control. (See below for specific tips.)

Good weather also means more outdoor partying, and spring is the start of festival season in New Orleans as well. Make sure pets are kept away from all party foods, beverages, and waste, and be sure that any visiting house guests are mindful of potential pet hazards as well.

Happy Spring!

For more tips and info see our Pinterest board, Springtime Pet Tips 

Helpful Links:

6 Tips For Your Pet Health Spring Checklist

Spring Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners

An In-Depth Look at Seasonal Allergies in Dogs and Cats

A Pet Parent's Spring Cleaning Checklist

Garden and Houseplant Safety

How Do I Know if My Dog Has Allergies?

Refreshing a Pet-Friendly Home

16 Ways to Save Your Home (and Sanity) During Shed Season

My Furry Valentine

February in New Orleans is the height of sweet decadent indulgence. First, it's carnival season, and then of course there is Valentine's Day smack dab in the middle of the month. That means after we've consumed our weight in all the delicious (ever-growing) varieties of king cake, those who haven't given up sugar for lent (pshaw!) get started in on the delicious delights of chocolate and all manner of other sugary treats. (We need something to tide us over until Easter, right?)

The problem is, all this decadent delight is dangerous to our furry, four-legged family members. While some baked goods are perfectly acceptable for pets, those containing certain fruits are not. Grapes, raisins, and currants, for instance, can cause kidney failure in dogs, cats, and ferrets. Of course any baked goods containing chocolate such as cookies or brownies are a definite no-no. What makes chocolate toxic to dogs? The same thing that can make it potentially toxic to humans if too much is consumed.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a cardiac stimulant and diuretic. which can have some health benefit to humans, as long as we don't over do it. (Note: While it takes a lot of chocolate, like 100 g, too much theobromine can cause sweating, trembling, severe headache, nausea and anorexia in humans.) Chocolate also contains high amounts of fats (as do nuts!) which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and possibly even pancreatitis.

While it isn't technically a poison, and toxicity depends entirely on the size of your pet, animals are much more sensitive to the effects of caffeine and theobromine than their human companions, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

It's good to remember the darker the chocolate, the larger the amount of theobromine, and while milk and "white" chocolate contain lesser amounts, they still aren't healthy for your pet, so be sure not to leave any of your Valentine goodies lying about where animals can get to them.

Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in gum, candies, and some baked goods, is even more toxic to dogs than chocolate. It can cause the release of  insulin, leading to liver failure, and higher insulin levels can also lead to hypoglycemia. According to Preventive Vet, Xylitol poisoning cases are on the rise, so much so that the FDA issued a warning in 2011 about the danger.

Note: Xylitol is also used to sweeten some peanut butters, so be sure to read the label before giving your pet any of this popular treat.

Other potential Valentine pet hazards include flowers, candles, cocktails and other alcoholic beverages, as well as decorations. Lilies in particular are toxic to cats, as are tulips and other bulbs, and thorns on roses can present problems to paws or injure the mouths of pets that like to chew. Make sure roses have had the thorns removed (petals are okay) and see Teleflora's list of pet-friendly flowers so see which ones are safe for pets.

Each year the ASPCA's poison control experts see a rise in cases around Valentine's Day, where well meaning pet parents have not realized that something harmful, usually lilies or chocolates, was not kept out of reach of Fido or Fluffy. While you and your sweetie are celebrating the season of love don't forget about the other love(s) of your life! Keep pets away from chocolate and other harmful substances! If your pet has consumed something potential harmful, call the ASPCA Poison Control Center Hotline (24hr) 1-888-426-4435 or call or visit your vet right away.


Useful Links:

ASPCA Valentine's Day Safety Tips

Pet-Friendly Flowers and Plants

The Curious (Toxic) Chemistry of Chocolate

5 Valentine's Tips All Pet Families Need to Know

Dog Chocolate Toxicity Meter

Lily Toxicity in Cats

Xylitol: The "Sugar Free" Sweetener Your Dog NEEDS You to Know About