Spring with Your Dog: Walks, Discoveries, and Little Hiccups

Well… I don’t know about you, but as soon as spring rolls around, I get a little hard to handle.

More smells, more walks, more nature… in short, everything I love.

But (yes, there’s a “but”), this season that I adore also hides a few pitfalls for us dogs… and for our humans.

So my owner and I decided to share some spring safety tips with you, so you can enjoy this season to the fullest without any unpleasant surprises.

👉 Important reminder:

We’re not vets.

So if you have even the slightest doubt, the best thing to do is call your vet. (Not the internet. Even though I know you’re going to look it up anyway.)
Also, this article is based mainly on France and its biodiversity, so feel free to look up the specifics for your own country.

So let’s take a look together at what to keep an eye out for this spring…

Fleas, ticks, and other uninvited guests!

Fleas are around all year long, 365 days a year.
But in the spring, they come back in full force… as if they’d been waiting for this moment all year.

Ticks, too, love this time of year. And clearly… no one invited them. The problem isn’t just the itching: they can also cause allergies and transmit certain diseases.

👉 To minimize the risks:

use an appropriate external parasite treatment (as recommended by your vet)
don’t forget the dewormer
wash my bedding regularly (yes, even if “it smells good” to me)
brush myself frequently (And I can definitely agree with that.)

After every walk, remember to check:

my paws
my belly
behind my ears

👉 If you find a tick: use the right tweezers, and out it goes (be careful, twist until it lets go; don’t yank the tick out!)

👉 Note: Harvest mites are particularly fond of:

the spaces between your fingers
your ears
your stomach

In other words: they, too, know how to pick the best spots… unfortunately, so we’re counting on you to help us remove them.

Processionary caterpillars: a real danger

So as for those… I advise you to avoid them as much as I avoid taking a bath.

Their hairs are highly irritating and can cause serious injuries, especially if I touch them with my tongue.

And these days, they’re no longer found only in the South.

It’s important to locate the nests and call in specialists to remove them.

If you notice traps on trees, it means there may be some in the area
(If there are traps, they’re not just for decoration).

👉 And here’s a really important point: always bring extra water, not just for drinking.
If you come into contact with a processionary caterpillar, you need to be able to quickly rinse the affected area before rushing to the vet.

And in moments like those, believe me, you’ll be really glad you planned ahead.

Leishmaniasis: A Disease You Should Know About

Behind this complicated name lies a serious disease transmitted by a tiny insect:
the sand fly (a tiny mosquito measuring 3 mm… yes, as small as it is inconspicuous).

It likes:

warmth (around 25 °C)
humidity

It is found mainly:

south of the Loire
along the Mediterranean coast
and increasingly along the Rhône and Lot rivers

(Spoiler: yes, it’s slowly making its way north)

👉 If you're in these areas or traveling with me:

ask your veterinarian for advice
remember to protect me

Plants: Beautiful but sometimes treacherous

They’re beautiful, they smell great… and yet, some of them can be dangerous for me.

For example:

hydrangea
oleander
lily
philodendron
rhododendron
lily of the valley

The problem? Each plant is toxic in a different way. In other words… it’s a bit of a surprise every time (and not a good one).

👉 Possible symptoms:

excessive drooling
vomiting
diarrhea
tremors

👉 If you have any doubts:

don’t make me vomit
don’t make me drink
take me to the vet

Spikelets: those little traitors!

So, they… they look totally harmless.
But in reality, they’re real infiltrators.

They cling to everything… and can even get into:

our ears
our nostrils
our eyes
under our skin

And then, clearly, it becomes a lot less funny.

👉 After every outing (walk or time in the garden): a thorough inspection is mandatory.
Yes, even the places I don’t want you to look.

The Perfect Companion's Survival Kit

Well… since going for a walk with me is kind of like going on an expedition (but cuter), there are a couple of things you should plan for to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

👉 Ideally, always keep the following within reach:

water (and plenty of it, because I’m thirsty, but that’s not the only reason)
a tick remover (small, discreet… but very useful when you least expect it)
a brush (to remove unwanted guests before they get too comfortable)
a first-aid kit (we hope we’ll never need it, but we’re glad to have it)

Yes, that’s a lot… but we’ll take care of bringing the good vibes.

A Final Word

Spring remains a special time of year for us. More time outdoors, more exploring, more discoveries… and clearly, I’m all for it.

But to make sure it all stays enjoyable, a little caution goes a long way.

The goal isn’t to worry, but simply to prevent a pleasant moment from turning into an unpleasant surprise.

With a little care, spring remains a season of freedom… and truffles among the flowers.

(except for the ones we mentioned earlier… yeah, I know, it’s frustrating)

Well… on that note, I’m going back to gardening.

(Apparently I’m not supposed to… but let’s be honest, I’m going to try anyway)

Woof and kisses,

Sanji 🐾

A quick note from my master:

Hello everyone, this is Sophie. I’m writing this quick note to tell you how happy and relieved I am to see this article published.

I had a hard time finishing it (it took more than two weeks even though it was almost done), because I was worried about the more “serious” tone of the article. But I think it’s important to open up a dialogue about these kinds of topics, for the sake of our furry friends.

We aren’t prepared enough for the dangers our pets might face, which, in my opinion, isn’t right. That’s why I wrote this article, using the information I was able to find.

I hope you enjoyed reading it, and we’ll see you very soon for some more fun topics about our little ones.

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