5 Ways To Keep Your Pup Safe This Spring
From daffodils to daylight savings, we’ve got you covered
Spring is well and truly here – the days are longer, gardens are coming back to life and dog walks are starting to feel a little less like an endurance sport. But along with all the good stuff, the season does bring a fresh set of hazards for our furry family members.
Toxic blooms, seasonal allergies, hungry parasites and a whole lot more warmer-weather activity all add up to a few things worth knowing as a dog parent. Here are five spring safety essentials to keep your pup happy and healthy through the season.
Daffodils and spring flowers that are toxic to dogs
Daffodils are one of the first signs that spring is on the way – but could equally cause a pretty expensive trip to the vets. All parts of the plant are toxic to dogs, including the bulb, stem and flower, and even the water in a vase they’ve been kept in. The bulbs tend to be the most dangerous, as this is where the toxins are most concentrated.
Daffodils contain a toxic alkaloidopens in new tab called lycorine, which can cause digestive upset when ingested. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and in more serious cases, seizures. These symptoms usually appear quickly – within around two hours – and most dogs make a full recovery within 48 hours, though severity depends on what part of the plant was eaten and how much.
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Daffodils aren’t the only offenders. Another popular spring flower, tulips, as well as bluebells and azaleas, are all highly poisonous to dogs according to the Blue Crossopens in new tab. Tulips can irritate your dog’s mouth and stomach, with the bulbs again posing the greatest risk, bluebells contain a toxin that affects the heart, and azaleas are highly poisonous – all parts of the plant are toxic, and even a small amount can make a dog seriously unwell.
If you have a digger at home, be particularly vigilant in the garden. When you’re out walking, keep an eye on what your dog is sniffing around in parks, where these plants are common. If you suspect your dog has eaten any part of a toxic plant, contact your vet straight away – don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
For your own garden, opt for dog-safe alternatives such as roses, marigolds and snapdragons instead.
Seasonal allergies in dogs: what to look out for in spring
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from seasonal allergies, and spring is one of the peak times for flare-ups as pollen levels from trees, grasses and flowers start to climb. Unlike humans, who tend to get itchy eyes and a runny nose, dogs mostly show allergy symptomsopens in new tab through their skin – constant itching, ear infections and skin infections are the most common signs.
Other signs to watch for include red or inflamed skin, excessive shedding beyond the usual spring moult, and hot spots – areas where the skin becomes infected from repeated scratching and licking. Paw-chewing and face-rubbing on furniture or carpets are also tell-tale signs that your dog is uncomfortable.
To alleviate your dog’s discomfort, keep them away from areas with high pollen counts, such as freshly mowed grass or fields of blooming flowers. Regularly grooming and bathing your pup with a hypoallergenic shampoo to remove pollen from their fur, and wiping down your dog’s paws after being outdoors can help reduce their exposure to allergens.
Keeping an eye on the pollen forecast and reducing outdoor time on very high-count days is also helpful, particularly for sensitive dogs.
If your dog’s symptoms are persistent or their skin becomes broken or infected, a vet visit is worth it. Treatment options range from anti-itch medications to allergy shots, and your vet will help determine the right approach for your dog.
Daylight Saving Time: how to help your dog adjust to the clocks changing
The arrival of spring also means the clocks go forward, marking the start of Daylight Saving Time. While longer days mean more time for outdoor adventures with your pup, the sudden change in schedule can also disrupt your dog’s internal clock, which can lead them feeling restless, confused and stressed.
The good news is that a little forward planning goes a long way. If you’re yet to change the clocks (depending on where you are in the world) you can help your dog adjust to the time change. Don’t immediately get them up an hour earlier, or suddenly change their mealtimes. Behaviourist Karen B London suggests easing them into it gradually – shifting feedingopens in new tab and walking times by around 10–15 minutes each day in the lead-up to the changeover. This way, by the time the clocks actually move, their routine has already quietly adjusted with them.
Keep stimulation levels up during the transition to stave off any restlessness, and if you’re heading out later into the evenings, it’s worth double-checking that your dog’s ID tag details and microchip information are up to date – just in case those longer evening walks end in an unexpected adventure.
Fleas, ticks and lungworm: spring parasite prevention
Warmer temperatures are good news for almost everyone including – unfortunately for us – parasites. As temperatures rise above 5–7C, flea eggs laid during winter begin to hatch, and ticks emerge from dormancy in grassland, parks and woodland areas. For dogs spending more time outside, the risk of picking something up increases significantly.
Ticks are most commonly found in long grass, woodland and dense vegetation. They don’t jump or fly – they drop or climb onto your dog as they pass through. Check your dog thoroughly after walks, paying attention to around the ears, between the toes, under the collar and along the belly. Remove any ticks promptly with a proper tick removal tool, and monitor your dog for signs of lethargy, mild fever or joint stiffness over the following weeks – symptoms that can indicate Lyme disease, which requires veterinary treatment.
Spring’s mild, but damp conditions also create the perfect environment for another parasite that’s easy to overlook: lungworm. Dogs can contract lungworm simply by sniffing or licking the slime trails of infected slugs and snails, or by accidentally eating them while playing with outdoor toys. Unlike many common parasites, lungworm can be fatal if not caught early. Signs include coughing, breathing difficulties, lethargy and reduced appetite.
Regular and correctly timed use of flea prevention alongside risk-based tick and worming treatments is essential – but it’s worth noting that not all worming products cover lungworm, so check with your vet that your dog’s current parasite prevention includes it. If you’re not sure what your dog is currently covered for, spring is a good time to review it.
Other outdoor spring hazards for dogs: puddles, pesticides and plants
More time outside is one of the best things about spring, and most of it carries no more risk than any other time of year. However, there are always few things are worth keeping in mind, particularly as your dog gets back into the rhythm of longer walks and garden time.
If you have one, give your garden a thorough inspection for anything that may have cropped up over the winter, such as toxic plants, debris or openings in fences. Be sure to keep hazardous chemicals such as fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides securely locked away from reach, but also be mindful that these substances might be used in public areas such as parks and green spaces, sometimes without obvious signage. If you notice a freshly treated area – a distinct smell, spray marks or a notice – keep your dog on a lead and steer them away.
Puddles are another seasonal hazard that are easy to miss. That distinctly spring mild-but-damp weather can create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and standing water in particular can harbour some pretty dangerous creepy crawlies. Giardia, Leptospira bacteria and Pseudomonasopens in new tab can all survive in stagnant water and cause serious illness in dogs. Steer your dog away from drinking puddle water where you can, and always supervise them around deeper water.
If your dog is a keen swimmer, be aware of the symptoms of water intoxication – a rare, but serious condition that can occur when dogs ingest large amounts of water while playing or retrieving. Symptoms include bloating, vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination, and it requires immediate veterinary attention.
When to see a vet
While most things remain harmless, spring does bring with it a few situations that warrant a call to your vet sooner rather than later.
If your dog has eaten or chewed any part of a daffodil, tulip, lily or azalea – including the bulb or water from a vase – contact your vet immediately, even if they seem fine. Symptoms of plant toxicity can be delayed.
For allergies, a vet visit is worth it if your dog is scratching persistently, has inflamed or broken skin, or if your dog hasn’t responded to basic management such as regular bathing and reduced pollen exposure.
If you find a tick on your dog, remove it promptly with a tick removal tool and monitor for lethargy, mild fever or joint stiffness over the following weeks – these can be signs of Lyme disease and need veterinary attention.
Any dog that has been drinking from puddles or standing water and subsequently develops vomiting, diarrhoea or seems unwell should be seen by a vet, as bacterial infections like Leptospirosis can escalate quickly.
Frequently asked questions: spring hazards for dogs
What spring flowers are poisonous to dogs?
Daffodils, tulips, lilies and azaleas are among the most common spring flowers that are toxic to dogs. The bulb typically contains the highest concentration of toxins, but the whole plant should be considered off-limits.
How do I protect my dog from ticks in spring?
Use a vet-recommended flea and tick prevention product year-round, and check your dog’s coat, ears and paws thoroughly after walks – particularly through long grass, woodland or areas of dense vegetation. Remove any ticks promptly with a proper tick removal tool rather than your fingers.
Can dogs get hay fever?
Dogs don’t tend to display hay fever symptoms in the same way humans do, but they can develop seasonal allergies to pollen, grass and other environmental triggers. In dogs, this tends to show up as skin irritation, itching and paw-chewing rather than sneezing and watery eyes, though those symptoms are possible, too.
What should I do if my dog drinks puddle water?
Try to discourage it wherever possible, as standing water can harbour bacteria including Leptospira, Giardia and Pseudomonas, all of which can make dogs unwell. If your dog has drunk from a puddle and shows signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy, contact your vet.
This information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your vet.
References
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“Getting Pets Ready for When the Clocks Change.opens in new tab”, PDSA, pdsa.org.uk, 2024.
Kretzing, Sascha, et al. “Dose-Dependent Emetic Effects of the Amaryllidaceous Alkaloid Lycorine in Beagle Dogs.” Toxicon, vol. 57, no. 1, Jan. 2011, pp. 117–24, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.10.012.
Nielsen, Søren Saxmose, et al. “Assessment of Listing and Categorisation of Animal Diseases within the Framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): Antimicrobial‐Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Dogs and Cats.” EFSA Journal, vol. 20, no. 5, May 2022, https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7310.
“Why Does My Dog Sneeze So Much?opens in new tab”, The Kennel Club, thekennelclub.org.uk, 2019, . Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
