Your Morkie and Spring Fever

We get spring fever and dogs (and all mammals) do to some degree.

Scientists tell us it’s all about a little biological clock in the middle of the brain that’s affected by light. So as days get longer and nights get shorter, this little clock sends signals to sleep less, eat more and look for a mate.

Most dogs are more energized and eager to get outside when the weather warms up. They’re even more interested in sniffing everything outside, and in extending their walks. This is when a number of dogs try their hardest to get off the leash and just RUN.

A couple of things to be aware of — always keep your Morkie on a leash and be vigilant that he doesn’t dash out of your house onto the road. It’s a sad fact that in the U.S., cars kill 1.2 million dogs each year and 5.4 million cats. What with spring fever, your pets might be more eager than usual to get outside, so watch the door.

Spring is also allergy time

It’s also the time when seasonal allergies start up again.

If your Morkie has runny eyes or is sneezing, that could be the problem. Other signs of allergies are itching, and biting at paws and skin.

Talk to your Veterinarian, because dogs CAN take Benadryl. Yup, the over-the-counter medication that we take. Be sure you get the CHILDREN’s liquid version, WITHOUT artificial sweeteners or alcohol. And do check with your Vet first.  

To alleviate some of the effects of allergies, it’s recommended that you:

• wipe down your dog’s coat every time he comes in, to remove excess pollen
• soak his feet in Epsom salts to reduce swelling and wash away pollen

And then there’s mud…

Britain’s Daily Mail asked readers to share their best pictures of muddy dogs. I think this one wins! Believe it or not, the pup was all cleaned up after just an hour in the tub.  THIS WAS AN ALL LIGHT-COLOR DOG!

 See more muddy dogs on the Daily Mail website.

P.S. Blogger Paul Janson – link – reminds us that “Spring Fever” used to be a real disease, thanks to a long winter with little in the way of fruits and vegetables. Back in the 1700s, spring fever was probably really scurvy – the lack of Vitamin C, and it was a serious, often fatal illness. Read more of Paul’s writing here.