Hello spring ! Now we are really in spring, even though they say that “until May 40th you don’t take off your coat”. Spring is a wonderful time of year because the weather is starting to get better, it is nice to go out for a walk with your French bulldog , sit on a terrace or enjoy the countryside full of flowers. I am sure that it is nice for your French bulldog too, because it is neither cold nor hot and that is when it is best.

Spring has many good things to offer, but for dogs it is a dangerous time , and it is important to be aware of certain dangers and tips to keep your French bulldog protected and healthy. Parasites, caterpillars, excessive heat on certain days, shedding, etc. With these recommendations you can enjoy spring with your dog.

Tips for caring for your French bulldog in spring

#1 Protect it from the processionary caterpillar

pine processionary caterpillar dog tips stinging characteristics
The pine processionary caterpillar is one of those dangers that lurk for your dog in spring , Thaumetopoea pytiocampa , that butterfly that is in its larva phase ( caterpillar ) forms rows in early spring and can become a very serious problem for your French bulldog or any other breed of dog . There is really not much you can do against this characteristic caterpillar , so you have no choice but to take some precautions to avoid risks against the evil pine processionary caterpillar.

So during this time of year, avoid walking through pine forests , because even though some areas are fumigated, there may still be a nest of caterpillars . If you have a garden with pine trees, call a fumigator and check the whole garden thoroughly. If you can walk through open fields (be careful with the spikes when they start to dry) or through tree areas, but not pine trees. If your French bulldog steps on a caterpillar, it is not as dangerous as if he smells it or grabs it by mouth, the hives that it would cause are very dangerous. If you think that your dog may have touched a caterpillar, do not hesitate to go to the vet .

#2 Be very careful with areas where there are spikes

If you like to go for walks in the open countryside with your French bulldog , you have to be very careful with spikes . They look like innocent plants but they can do much more damage than you think. Although they are more dangerous when they are dry, towards the end of spring and the beginning of summer, they can also hurt your dog if they are green.

The spikes come off easily and are pointed and can get stuck to any living thing that passes by. Not only do they stick to your dog’s fur, but they also get stuck in and penetrate their skin, causing serious injuries in many cases. They can get stuck between their paws , in an ear or even in their nose when they are sniffing the ground. And the problem goes beyond the fact that they get stuck, it is the possible infection that they can cause. Therefore, if you think that a spike has gotten stuck in your French bulldog , it is best to go to your vet to have them checked out in case it needs to be removed. Sometimes they can get stuck very deeply and it is difficult to extract them.

#3 Deworm your French bulldog correctly

As the temperature rises, parasites begin to proliferate and, as you know, some of them can carry diseases. It is very important to deworm your dog throughout the year, but even more so in spring. Especially external deworming, which, as you know, is carried out with pipettes and antiparasitic collars . You already know that the most common are external parasites such as fleas, ticks , the mosquito that transmits leishmaniasis that we all know, as well as mosquitoes that can infect them by biting them.

If your French bulldog has caught fleas or has a tick, the best thing you can do is take him to the vet first so he can recommend the appropriate treatment. To prevent this, for example, in summer , when we find more fleas and ticks due to the heat and humidity, avoid taking your French bulldog for walks in the countryside and areas where he can easily catch them.

#4 Protect your French bulldog from heat stroke

With the arrival of warm weather and rising temperatures in spring and summer , heat strokes are a threat to your French bulldog . Heat stroke is one of the dangers of these seasons, which unfortunately kills many dogs, in many cases due to not taking the appropriate precautions. Even if you think it’s not that hot, it’s probably hotter than expected for your dog.

To avoid heat stroke, avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day, always seek some shade , and if you are going for a longer walk than usual, always carry fresh water with you. If you think your French bulldog may be suffering from heat stroke, take him to the vet immediately.

#5 Protect your French bulldog’s paw pads from hot sidewalks

The hottest days of spring cause the cement on sidewalks and asphalt on roads to heat up to unsuspected limits, a situation that is problematic for any dog, since their paw pads can burn, scorch and suffer sores. In this scenario, it is important to know what to do to avoid these burns and protect your French bulldog’s paws .

As with heat stroke, avoid walking during the middle of the day, always look for shade to walk in and avoid walking on asphalt, which is where the dog gets hotter. Always check your French bulldog’s paws as often as possible to make sure they are healthy.

If you notice that your French bulldog has very dry and cracked pads, it is always good to have a balm or gel to moisturize its pads .

#6 Brush your French bulldog’s hair frequently

Dogs , like trees, shed their leaves to make way for new fur . We know that it is somewhat frustrating at certain times of the year because they leave everything full of hair, the house, clothes, etc., but it is inevitable. There are breeds that shed more hair than others, and in fact it is generally thought that long-haired dogs shed more hair than short-haired dogs, but this is totally untrue because short-haired dogs shed much more hair . Shedding in dogs is a natural process to eliminate dead hair in which the dog sheds all the fur to make way for new hair with the seasonal changes. This happens twice a year especially, in spring to make way for summer , and in winter to make way for autumn .

Hair shedding is more common in dogs that live in apartments or closed spaces, as is the case with the French bulldog . It lasts practically all year round, although there are two strong peaks because they do not suffer such sudden changes in temperature with the arrival of a new season. However, this does not happen to dogs that live outdoors because they do suffer the change of season more pronouncedly. For this reason, you should brush your French bulldog more frequently in spring , with a suitable dog brush . This way, your dog will be more comfortable and will feel cleaner without all the dead hair, and your house will be much cleaner.

Taking care of your French bulldog in spring

As you have read throughout the article, spring is a season to enjoy, but always taking proper care of your French bulldog . Also, just like it happens to us humans, spring can also cause allergies in dogs, due to pollen, and cause some symptoms such as more tears in the eyes, itching, sneezing. If you notice any strange behavior in your dog, it is best to always go to your veterinarian.

Have you ever had a scare with your dog in spring ? What other care would you add to our list of tips for this time of year? If you found this article interesting, we would love for you to leave us a comment, and don’t hesitate to share it on your favorite social networks.