No matter how you feel about Daylight Saving Time (and we know people have very strong opinions!), it’s coming in hot…or at least lukewarm. Daylight Saving Time is on March 13th this year, so we will be “springing forward” in less than two weeks. In preparation for it, we’ve come up with five things you can do that revolve around you and your fur friends.
1. Take A Nap
It's okay to take a snooze with all of your pets cuddled up together. There is nothing wrong with that—heck, it's still winter for a few more weeks! Hopefully, you’ve kept up on your fur friends’ grooming, or you may have to invest in a good lint brush. Either way, a nap with your pets is just what the doctor ordered…quite literally!
2. Take An Afternoon Walk or Hike
You may not have that extra hour of sunlight to go on a walk with your pets just yet, but even just walking around the corner with your pet can have a multitude of benefits. Unfortunately, pet obesity is currently an epidemic, so even if you’ve got to bundle up, we highly recommend getting your dog (and even cat!) some exercise to ensure they’ll be around for many years while also enjoying a quality of life.
3. Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning
Cabin Fever is a real thing, and the best way to make sure it doesn't come back...probably until November, is to clean. Go through your pet's toy bins and toss away any that might not have made it through the winter. However, if you do throw any away, you must abide by the rule that you have to replace one for every three toys tossed. A spoiled pet is a happy one! Of course, don’t forget the importance of regular cleaning of many of your pets' things in your home
Some of the pet-related items that need regular cleaning are:
- Water bowls
- Food bowls
- Harnesses
- Leashes
- Pet beds
You want to do this to avoid harmful bacteria and bad smells in your home!
4. Check The Outdoor Pet Equipment to Ensure Safety
This is an ideal time to check their collars, leashes, harnesses, and, if you have one, your fence line in your yard. The new season is quickly approaching - do the prep now so you can enjoy the warmer months together without any springtime dangers for pets. This is usually when you’ll probably be thinking about opening your pool if you have one, so always be sure to consider the safety of pets around water.
5. Order Pet Flea, Tick, And Heartworm Prevention
Firefighters will always recommend that you use Daylight Saving Time as a day to check your smoke and other alarms to make sure they are in working order (which you should do, too). We recommend that you also use it to order monthly pet flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives. Warmer weather is right around the corner, and those nasty parasites are soon to be looking for a new host to feed on. Make sure all of your pets are protected.
Contact us or use our online pharmacy to get your precious pets’ preventatives ordered, or if you have other questions about how to keep your fur babies safe during warmer weather months.
Located in Encinitas, CA, The Drake Center for Veterinary Care is an AAHA-accredited animal hospital. The Drake Center takes pride in being a leading source of information for all pet owners across the country however if you have any questions regarding pet care and do not live in Encinitas, CA or surrounding cities, we encourage you to contact your local veterinarian.