spring safety tips for your pet

Spring is just around the corner, which means blooming flowers, spring cleaning, Easter candy — you know, all things you need to be careful of with your cat or dog.

We’ve got tips below for enjoying the sweet days of spring with your little cutie.

Flowers and plants

Spring means new growth — and a slew of plants and flowers to keep out of your pet’s reach. Here are just some of the common indoor and outdoor plants toxic to dogs and cats. (While not all of these plants are deadly, they can make your pet sick and it’s worth checking in with your Banfield Pet Hospital about your concerns.) 

• Aloe vera
• Amaryllis
• Azalea
• Bird of paradise 
• Caladium 
• California ivy
• Calla lily
• Carnation
• Chamomile
• Chives 
• Chrysanthemum 
• Corn plant 
• Cyclamen 
• Daffodil 
• Dahlia 
• Daisy 
• Devil’s ivy
• English ivy
• Gardenia
• Garlic
• Geranium
• Giant dracaena
• Gladiolus
• Hyacinth 
• Hydrangea
• Iris 
• Jade 
• Larkspur
• Lavender
• Lily of the valley
• Oleander 
• Onion 
• Palm lily
• Peace lily
• Philodendron
• Sego palm
• Snake plant 
• Tulip 
• Wisteria 

Cleaning supplies

It’s time to spring clean! But not with our little cuties around. Let’s face it, most cleaning supplies aren’t great for your pet. However, there are ways to safely use cleaners, including using pet-friendly cleaning products, keeping pets away while you clean, letting products dry before letting pets back in, airing out the house, and following safety instructions. Here’s a list of products to keep away from your pet: 

• Bleach fabric softeners 
• Toilet cleaner
• Carpet cleaner 
• Detergents
• Ammonia and ammonia-based cleaners

Foods and candy 

Easter may have the best holiday candy (take that, Halloween). Chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs, chocolate mini candy bars — all yummy for humans but BIG no-nos for pets. Chocolate can be deadly in high doses to both dogs and cats, and artificial sweeteners such as xylitol can also be lethal. Even just regular old sugar can give your dog diarrhea. The best thing to do is keep Easter candy out of your furry friend’s reach and find some great new treats for them instead. Check out our list of other foods toxic to pets.