Spring Safety Tips For Illinois Pet Owners

Can you believe it? Spring has finally sprung in Illinois, and it's time to get out there and enjoy some fresh air and green grass again!

Before you and your pet embark on an outdoor adventure, please remember that spring comes with its own set of dangers, and you need to be prepared!

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Spring Safety Tips for Illinois Pet Owners

I have two big dogs, a cat, two bunnies, and a few toads in my house, and I know all of those pets, (minus the cat), are itching to have some extended fun in the sun.

Now that we've cleaned up all the dog poo mountains, sticks, and debris that winter left behind, my family is ready for some outdoor fun, BUT it looks like there are a few more spring safety things I need to be aware of too.

Protecting out pets from outdoor pests like fleas and ticks is a no brainer, but I recently read an article from PetMD that says bugs are the only dangers our pets could encounter during the spring.

Getty Images

Here are 5 spring safety tips animal experts say every pet owner needs to remember:

1. Ease Into Outdoor Activities: Just like us, pets get out of shape during the winter too! If your dog has been snoozing more than sprinting, introduce outdoor exercise gradually. Start with short walks to warm up muscles and joints.

2. Beware of Lethal Flowers: Some of the prettiest spring flowers can be lethal to our pets, especially dogs. Popular flowers and plants like lilies, azaleas, and rhododendrons are highly toxics for dogs if ingested.

3. Keep Cleaning Products Out of Reach: Spring cleaning is a dreaded necessity, and many household cleaners, even natural products, contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets. Store products in secure cabinets and keep pets away from floors and surfaces that were just cleaned until they have dried.

4. Repair Window Screens: Everybody loves letting fresh air into their home during the spring, but you will not love chasing down a pet who escaped through a hole in your window or door screen.

5. Avoid Stagnant Water Puddles: There's one constant about spring, it rains...a lot, and stagnant water puddles can be filled with bacteria and parasites. Don’t let your pets drink from puddles!

For more important spring safety tips, check out PetMD's full article, here.

RELATED: IL Animal Shelter At Max Capacity: Over 60 Dogs Need Homes NOW

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Gallery Credit: Rachel Cavanaugh