Our Top 10 Spring Time Safety Tips for Your 4-Legger

Happy Earth Day! 

Spring has arrived and we're loving it! The dogs have a definite spring in their step as we go on walks. They love visiting with all of their friends that they didn't get to see over the winter. 

We've compiled some tips for spring time safety and how as dog owners we can be good stewards of our planet!

1. The more you are out and about with your furry family member, the higher the chance that they could get separated from their humans. Do a safety check on harnesses and leashes and make sure clips really clip securely! Would it withstand the force of a dog chasing after a squirrel? Double check that identification tags are still attached to collars, the phone number is up to date, and the phone number is readable!
2. Some spring time plants (Rhododendrons and Azaleas for example) can be toxic if consumed. If your dog thinks they are a goat, you may want to check out the ASPCA list of toxic plants. 
3. Garden hoses can contain high levels of phthalates and BPA. To be on the safe side, don't let your dog drink from the garden hose and don't fill up their water bowl with garden hose water. Get a list of safer hoses.
4. As we emerge from our winter hibernation, so do all of those pests like fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. Our friends at Dogs Naturally Magazine recently wrote an article about how to prevent the pests from getting on your dog and into your house! Check it out! 
5. If you are still treating your yard with chemicals, take the time to make some phone calls to transition to organic lawn care. Instead of applying traditional fertilizer, they may apply a compost tea! Organic lawns can take several years to fully establish, though you will definitely see more immediate benefits too,  but the goal is to feed the soil for the long term.  It also gives the grass deeper roots so it can better withstand weather stresses. Your yard and your dog will thank you!
6. Need some more reasons to go with an organic lawn? Did you know that 60-70 million birds die each year from pesticide poisoning in the United States.
7. Between 4-% - 60% of the nitrogen in fertilizer runs off or leaches away, ending up in the ground or surface water (for your dog to drink). Nitrates in fertilizer and plant food can reduce the ability of red blood cells in your dog's body to deliver oxygen. Traditional pesticides have been linked to cancer (especially bladder) in dogs. 
8. Cocoa mulch is derived from hulls or shells of cocoa beans. Since it contains theobromine, it can poison your dog just like eating a chocolate candy bar.
9. Shredded tire mulch is full of heavy metals that can make your dog very sick. They can also leach into and contaminate ground water.
10. Dyed mulches (black, red, green, etc.) are usually made from recycled wood waste like old pallets, old decking, or pressure treated lumber. The ground up wood is colored to mask the inconsistencies in the type and color of the different types of wood waste. It also introduces the toxins from the artificial dyes into your yard and of course may leach into the ground water. Instead, use shredded pine bark, shredded hard wood or leaf mulch. 

It is a staggering fact: The amount of pesticides and herbicides applied to lawns in the US is approximately ten times the amount applied to American farmland, acre for acre. 

Reduce your exposure and your dog's exposure to environmental toxins, one day, one product at a time by using 4-Legger: 100% biodegradable, safe, non-toxic, and so natural, it is certified organic! 

Healthy Dog - Healthy Planet - Happy Life!