Vet urges all pet owners to do these 4 essential checks in April

As the first signs of spring emerge, vets are reminding owners to ‘spring clean’ and use this season as an opportunity to invest in their pets’ health. Often, trying to show extra love leads to accidental overfeeding, a growing concern for pet health, according to experts. Dr Suzanne Moyes, in-house vet at Burgess Pet Care, says owners should focus on seasonal enrichment rather than extra calories.

Suzanne said: “Pets have five core welfare needs: the right environment, nutrition, companionship, opportunity to behave naturally, and protection from harm. Spring cleaning your habits to ensure these needs are met is the ultimate act of love. Keeping them at a healthy, happy weight ensures they stay by your side for as many springs as possible.”

Below are the vet’s tips on achieving just that.

Swap the bowl for a ‘sniffari’

Suzanne suggested using the change of season to start a new enrichment routine. For dogs, take them on what she calls a ‘sniffari’ – a walk where they lead the way and sniff at their own pace. With new plants blooming and wildlife active, the world smells different in April. Twenty minutes of sniffing is often more mentally tiring than a mile-long brisk walk.

For small animals, try ‘scatter feeding’ in fresh hay or cardboard tunnels to encourage natural foraging behaviours.

Declutter the toy box

We often overlook old toys that no longer challenge our pets. This spring, rotate their toy selection to keep things fresh. Suzanne adds you can play the brain game: Hide high-quality food around the house or roll it into a dry towel. Puzzle feeders keep boredom at bay and turn mealtime into a rewarding game that mimics natural hunting and foraging.

The spring health check ‘DIY spa’ audit

Turn your grooming session into a spring health reset. This bonding time serves as an early warning system that could save a vet visit later in the year.

While brushing, perform a top-to-tail check:

Spring clean the treat jar

It’s easy for just one more biscuit to become a habit over the winter. This month, implement the 10% rule: edible treats should never exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

“Avoid feeding scraps left over from your own dinner or Sunday roasts,” Dr Moyes warned dog owners. “Human food doesn’t contain the essential nutrients dogs need in the right amounts, and many ingredients, like onions, garlic, or certain seasonings, are actually highly toxic to canines.”