Pets love spring time! There is no denying that everyone becomes instantly happier when spring rolls around. We know that spring means warmer weather, more daylight and more time to spend with our families and pets.

Spring is a dog's best friend; It's a great time for walking - there are smells all around, it's a great time for playing fetch in the park or going to the beach… maybe not for swimming just yet! Cats also love the spring time; their sun-lounging hours dramatically increase, also the cat's mortal enemy, the rain has diminished and that means no more hopping from dry ground to dry ground in case of wetting one's paws. Cats are also avid explorers and spring brings more time for exploring before lounging.

The changes of weather and humidity bring about other spring mainstays like the breeding season for cats so, if you have a kitten and haven't had it spayed or neutered, then this is a time to make that booking with the vet. Also be aware that, with cats, the breeding season can be daunting to those who have had the appropriate de-sexing, as this time brings tom cats out more, especially at night. This can be distressing for your house cat who is usually out at night, so maybe keep them in at night if you are concerned that there may be tom cats in the area.

Also, other things as a pet owner to look out for at this time is skin allergies and reactions, especially in dogs as they tend to come to the fore at this time of year.

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Shampoo – Make sure you are using a dog specific shampoo as human-grade shampoo can cause allergic reactions.

Spring Cleaning – Spring cleaning is great but, if you are washing your pet's bedding, look at possibly using natural detergents. Cleaning is good as dust mites are another potential cause of skin reaction. Also, when fly spraying, never spray when your pets are in the house and look at ingredients first.

Pollens – Spring is a big time for pollen and most pollen allergies appear like hay fever symptoms.

Plants & Grasses – Some dogs have reactions to certain types of grasses and plants so keep an eye on your pet when you're out and check skin after walks etc.

Fleas – Fleas are something that we need to treat for consistently during the warmer times of the year.

Beaches – Some dogs can pick up rashes and itchy skin from being at the beach. Be sure to rinse your dog or wash them after a trip to the beach to lessen the chance of any itches.

With any allergies, it is important to break the itch/scratch cycle. Dogs will quickly spread a rash over their bodies by the continual itching, licking and biting. To stop this, look at topical products that are designed to help with itches and rashes. There are many natural options in the market. If, however, you are really concerned, then contact your local vet!