Spring with pets: fun, fresh air and a few things to watch out for

Summary

Making the most of spring with your pet

Many of us agree that spring is the best season of the year – the chill of winter is over, temperatures are moderate and there are more daylight hours. Scientifically speaking, exposure to sunlight increases our levels of serotonin, the happiness hormone, in our brains.

Spring is a great time to add a little variety to your pet’s day. For dogs, try changing up your usual walking route, visiting a dog-friendly park, heading out for a bush or coastal walk, or adding more sniffing and exploring time to your daily outings. Mental stimulation can be just as valuable as physical exercise, so letting your dog stop, sniff and investigate can make a walk much more rewarding.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

I found my dog’s attitude to sniffing and exploring her surroundings a helpful reminder to slow down and appreciate what’s around me, rather than seeing a walk as another item on my to-do list.

If your dog has been less active during winter, build up exercise gradually, particularly if they are older, overweight or have joint problems.

Cats can also benefit from extra stimulation as the days get longer. Interactive toys, food puzzles, climbing spaces and short play sessions can help keep indoor cats active and entertained. Cats that enjoy outdoor time can explore safely in a secure enclosure, enclosed garden or, if they are comfortable with it, on a harness and lead.

Whatever your preferred form of outdoor activity, take advantage of the warmer weather to get out and about and to sometimes venture beyond your usual haunts and find some new places to explore and enjoy together.

Spring is also a good opportunity to check that your pet’s identification details are current, give bedding and outdoor areas a seasonal clean and make sure parasite prevention is up to date before outdoor activity increases.

Did you know…

As we emerge from winter ‘hibernation’, spring brings a boost in our energy levels and enthusiasm, literally putting a ‘spring’ in our step. And it’s the same for our pets. After cocooning themselves indoors for much of winter, they emerge from their beds and blankets with renewed joie-de-vivre and energy; a desire to run, jump, skip and play and an increased need for exercise.

A few spring hazards to keep in mind

Unfortunately, spring is not just about sunshine and play; it is also a time of some potentially nasty, hidden hazards. Pesky mozzies that can bring on far worse than just an irritating itch, ticks that can prove fatal, and itchy, red skin from airborne allergens are just a few of the common nasties that can crop up in spring.

Don’t let the thought of these un-pleasantries keep you and your pet stuck indoors. Arm yourself with knowledge and your pet with the right preventatives. Know what to look out for and what to do if your pet does have an encounter with one of the harmful hazards discussed below, and you’ll both bounce through spring with joy and exuberance.

1. Paralysis ticks

Paralysis ticks are one of the most serious springtime risks for pets in parts of Australia. Although they can occur throughout the year, the number of cases typically rises through spring.

The eastern paralysis tick occurs predominantly along the eastern Australian coastline, while other paralysis tick species occur in parts of southern Australia. For pets living in or visiting tick areas, use an appropriate preventative year-round and regularly run your fingers over their entire body to check for ticks. Pay particular attention to the head, ears and neck, but remember that ticks can attach anywhere.

Signs of tick paralysis can include:

• weakness or wobbliness, particularly in the back legs
• a change in the sound of your pet’s bark or meow
• vomiting or regurgitation
• coughing, gagging or difficulty swallowing
• reduced appetite
• drooling
• difficulty breathing
• progressive weakness or paralysis.

Tick paralysis can deteriorate rapidly and can be fatal. If your pet develops possible signs of tick paralysis, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Having a pet affected with tick paralysis is stressful and sometimes heartbreaking. It can happen to pets of any age, and even in pets that spend only the smallest amount of time outside. Using a tick preventative is your best way to avoid the risk of this happening to your pet. Tick activity also seems to peak after rainy periods, so be extra vigilant at these times.

Learn more about Paralysis ticks in dogs and cats: symptoms, treatment and prevention

2. Spring allergies and pets

The arrival of spring and extra hours of sunshine do wonders for our gardens. With the fresh, green grass and the profusion of spring flowers, allergies to grass and pollen are rife this time of the year.

While people commonly experience sneezing and a runny nose, pets with environmental allergies frequently show signs through their skin.

Look out for:

• scratching or chewing
• licking the paws
• red or inflamed skin
• rubbing the face
• irritated paws or belly
• recurrent ear infections
• hair loss or overgrooming.

Repeated licking and scratching can damage the skin and contribute to secondary bacterial or yeast infections.

You may be able to reduce exposure by wiping your pet’s paws and coat after walks, keeping their bedding clean and avoiding areas that consistently trigger symptoms, but persistent allergies should be investigated by your veterinarian.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Some dogs seem to also suffer from hay-fever like we do, with runny eyes and sneezing. Speak with your vet about whether an anti-histamine might help.

Learn more about Skin allergies in dogs and cats.

3. Grass seeds

Dry grass seeds can become caught in a pet’s coat and work their way into the skin, paws, ears, eyes or nose. Some seeds can migrate through tissues and become surprisingly difficult to locate and remove. Dogs that run through long grass are particularly at risk.

Signs can include:

• persistent licking of a paw
• limping
• sudden head shaking
• scratching at an ear
• sneezing
• squinting or pawing at an eye
• swelling or a small draining wound.

After walking through long or seeding grass, check your dog’s coat carefully, particularly between the toes, around the ears, under the legs and through feathered or long hair.

If a grass seed appears embedded, or your pet develops persistent symptoms, see your vet rather than trying to dig deeply into the skin or ear yourself.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Dogs with long hair or fleecy coats tend to be more prone to grass seed foreign bodies, as the grass seed is secured by the hair, which allows it to embed into the skin. Most frequently affected areas are ears, feet and around the neck area.

4. Fleas and mosquitoes

Fleas can affect pets at any time of year, but warmer conditions can favour flea activity. Flea bites cause irritation and can trigger flea allergy dermatitis in susceptible dogs and cats. Mosquitoes are another warmer-weather concern because they can transmit heartworm.

Rather than treating parasite prevention as something that starts and stops with the seasons, discuss an appropriate year-round parasite-control program with your veterinarian. The best combination will depend on where you live, whether your pet travels and their lifestyle. Australian parasite guidance emphasises that parasite exposure can occur throughout the year and that even indoor pets are not necessarily completely risk-free.

Learn more about flea control for dogs and cats.

5. Snakes

As temperatures rise, snakes become more active, increasing the chance that dogs and cats may encounter one in gardens, bushland, parks and other outdoor areas. Snakes can also occur in suburban and urban environments.

Reduce your pet’s risk by:

• keeping grass short around your home
• clearing piles of timber, garden waste and other potential hiding places
• keeping dogs on a lead around long grass, bushland and waterways
• supervising pets outdoors in snake-prone areas
• keeping cats safely contained at home or in a secure outdoor enclosure.

Possible signs of snake bite include sudden weakness or collapse, vomiting, shaking or twitching, difficulty breathing, paralysis, dilated pupils or blood in the urine. A pet may sometimes appear to improve temporarily after initially collapsing.

Treat every suspected snake bite as an emergency. Keep your pet as calm and still as possible and transport them immediately to the nearest veterinarian. Do not try to catch or kill the snake, apply a tourniquet, cut the bite or attempt to suck out venom.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

If possible, identifying the snake can help with veterinary assessment as to whether to expect local tissue reaction from the bite or more concerning systemic effects.

6. Bees and wasps

Flowering gardens also mean more bees and other stinging insects.

Many stings cause only temporary pain and local swelling, particularly around the paws or muzzle. However, some pets develop much more serious reactions.

Seek urgent veterinary care if your pet develops:

• significant facial or throat swelling
• widespread hives
• vomiting or diarrhoea
• weakness or collapse
• difficulty breathing.

Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Dogs that have been stung will often lick the location of the sting as it is painful. Dogs that are collapsed or have vomiting/diarrhoea may have anaphylaxis, which is an veterinary emergency and must be treated immediately.

7. Toxic spring plants and flowers

Spring gardens can contain plants that are harmful to pets if eaten.

Bulbs and corms including daffodils, tulips and hyacinths can cause poisoning, with the underground bulb often containing a higher concentration of toxins than the leaves or flowers. Dogs may be especially likely to uncover bulbs while digging.

An especially important warning applies to cats:

True lilies and daylilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are extremely dangerous to cats. Exposure to leaves, flowers, pollen or even water from a vase containing these lilies can cause potentially fatal kidney injury.

Homes with cats are safest without these lilies altogether. Other potentially dangerous garden plants include cycads or sago palms, oleander, azaleas and Brunfelsia (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow).

Learn more about toxic plants for dogs and 9 plants you should never plant in your garden.

8. Fertilisers, snail bait and other garden products

Spring is also gardening season, and some of the products used to keep gardens flourishing can be hazardous to pets.

Special care should be taken with:

• snail and slug bait
• rat and mouse bait
• insecticides
• herbicides
• fertilisers
• garden chemicals.

Some organic fertilisers contain ingredients such as blood, bone or animal-based meals that dogs find extremely appealing. Eating a large amount can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and other complications.

Expert advice from Dr Felicia:

Greedy dogs (ahem, Labradors) eating large quantities of fertiliser have ended up needing surgery because it caused a gastrointestinal obstruction – beware!

Snail baits also require care. Products marketed as having bittering agents or as being relatively pet-friendly should still be kept securely out of reach because large ingestions can cause serious poisoning.

Always store garden products in their original containers and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

If you think your pet has eaten or been exposed to a potentially poisonous substance, contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 for advice.

Learn more about Poisoning in dogs and cats

In summary

While it may appear to be easier just to stay indoors and avoid all the potential hazards of spring, don’t do it! The benefits far outweigh the possible risks, and now that you are armed with knowledge of what to look out for, go out and enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine!

As you get out for more walks and outside playtime, just be sure to always keep pets in sight when they are off-leash, so you know what they are up to. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful and make your pet sick if eaten, so it’s best be close by in order to try to keep them from eating things you are not sure about.

Afterall, spring should feel like a season to enjoy, not a list of things to worry about.

Sources

“Spring hazards for pets: What cat and dog owners should watch for”, PetSure, https://petsure.com.au/knowledge-hub/spring-hazards-pets-dogs-cats/. Accessed 1 Sep 2026

“Out for blood: preparing your pet for ticks and other bloodsuckers”, PetSure, https://petsure.com.au/knowledge-hub/ticks-fleas-parasites-pets/. Accessed 1 Sep 2026

“Pet Reminders for Spring”, RSPCA NSW, https://www.rspcansw.org.au/news-and-updates/pet-reminders-for-spring/. Accessed 1 Sep 2026

“Hot tips for sssnakes in ssspring”, RSPCA Australia, https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/hot-tips-sssnakes-ssspring/. Accessed 1 Sep 2026

“Spring Bulbs and Your Pets”, Animal Poisons Helpline, https://www.animalpoisons.com.au/news/spring-bulbs-and-your-pets-2/. Accessed 1 Sep 2026

“Snake Bites & Your Pets”, Animal Poisons Helpline, https://www.animalpoisons.com.au/news/snake-bites-and-your-pets/. Accessed 1 Sep 2026

“Is This Snail Bait Safe To Use?”, Animal Poisons Helpline, https://www.animalpoisons.com.au/news/is-this-snail-bait-safe-to-use/. Accessed 1 Sep 2026

“Fertiliser and Your Pet”, Animal Poisons Helpline, https://www.animalpoisons.com.au/news/fertiliser-and-your-pet/. Accessed 1 Sep 2026