Spring Is Coming: How to Prep Your Pet for the Season Change

By Dr. Amy & Dr. Andi  |  Animal Medical Center, Menomonee Falls, WI

Spring in Wisconsin is one of the best times of year — warmer days, longer evenings, and more time outdoors with your four-legged family members. But with the seasonal shift comes a whole new checklist for pet owners. From the first signs of shedding to the return of ticks and allergens, we at Animal Medical Center want to make sure your pets are healthy, comfortable, and ready for the season ahead.

Here’s your go-to guide from Dr. Amy and Dr. Andi to get your pet spring-ready.

🐾  Tackle the Shedding Season Head-On

If it feels like your pet suddenly turned into a fur factory the moment the temperatures nudged above freezing — you’re not imagining it. Most dogs and cats go through a major seasonal shed in the spring as they lose their heavy winter coat. This is completely normal, but it can be a lot to manage.

Here’s what helps:

Brush regularly. Daily or every-other-day brushing makes a huge difference in managing loose fur and keeping your pet comfortable. It also reduces hairballs in cats.

Use the right tools. A deshedding brush or an undercoat rake works much better than a standard brush for heavy seasonal shedding.

Consider a grooming appointment. Our team can recommend local groomers who offer deshedding treatments if you’re dealing with a high-shedding breed like a Husky, Golden Retriever, or Maine Coon.

Watch for bald patches. Shedding should be even across the body. Patchy or excessive shedding can be a sign of allergies, thyroid issues, or skin conditions — give us a call if something looks off.

🌿  Seasonal Allergies: Yes, Pets Get Them Too

Just like people, dogs and cats can be sensitive to pollen, mold, and other environmental allergens that ramp up in the spring. Unlike humans who mostly sneeze, pets often show allergy symptoms through their skin — think itching, redness, hot spots, or recurring ear infections.

Signs your pet may have seasonal allergies:

• Excessive scratching, licking, or chewing at paws

• Red, watery, or irritated eyes

• Recurrent ear infections

• Rubbing their face along the carpet or furniture

• Sneezing more than usual

If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, it’s a great time to schedule a wellness visit. Dr. Amy and Dr. Andi can help identify whether allergies are the culprit and discuss the best course of treatment — from dietary adjustments and medicated shampoos to prescription options for more severe cases.

🐾  Muddy Paws and Spring Skin Care

Wisconsin spring means one thing: mud. Lots of it. All those puddles and wet grass walks can actually take a toll on your pet’s paws and skin if you’re not careful.

Wipe paws after every walk. This removes mud, debris, road salt residue (yes, it can linger into spring), and allergens that collect on paws.

Check between the toes. Moisture trapped between the paw pads can lead to yeast infections or bacterial overgrowth. Look for redness, swelling, or an unusual smell.

Moisturize cracked pads. Winter can leave paw pads dry and cracked. A pet-safe paw balm helps restore moisture as your pet starts spending more time outdoors.

Rinse after heavily muddy outings. A quick rinse of the paws and belly is often enough — you don’t need a full bath every time.

🦟  Parasite Prevention: Don’t Wait Until You See One

This is probably the most important reminder of the season. As soon as the ground thaws and temperatures start climbing into the 40s°F, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes (hello, heartworm risk!) become active again in Wisconsin.

Many pet owners wait until they find a tick to start prevention — but by then, the exposure has already happened. The goal is to have your pet protected before they encounter their first parasite of the season.

Start flea & tick prevention NOW. Don’t wait for the first warm weekend hike. Talk to us about which product is right for your pet — options include monthly topicals, oral chewables, and long-acting collars.

Heartworm prevention is a must. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, which appear early in Wisconsin. If your dog isn’t on a year-round preventative, spring is the time to get started — but we’ll need to do a quick heartworm test first.

Check your pet after every outing. Ticks love to hide in warm, hidden spots: behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, between the toes, and around the tail. Get in the habit of doing a tick check after every walk in wooded or grassy areas.

Ask about Lyme disease vaccination. Lyme disease is increasingly common in Wisconsin. If your dog spends time outdoors, especially near wooded or brushy areas, the Lyme vaccine is well worth discussing at your next visit.

📅  Spring Is the Perfect Time for a Wellness Visit

Even if your pet seems perfectly healthy, spring is a natural reset point for annual wellness care. A spring checkup with Dr. Amy or Dr. Andi is a great opportunity to:

• Update vaccines that may be due

• Run a heartworm test before starting prevention

• Discuss any changes in behavior, weight, coat, or energy level

• Address seasonal concerns like allergies or parasite prevention

• Make sure senior pets are getting the extra monitoring they need as the seasons change

It’s much easier (and less stressful for your pet) to catch small issues before they become big ones.

Ready to get your pet spring-ready? Give us a call or book online to schedule your spring wellness visit with Dr. Amy or Dr. Andi at Animal Medical Center in Menomonee Falls. We’re here to help your pet thrive all season long.