Decluttering is part of a spring clean, so take time to go through your pet’s toys, blankets, and clothes, and recycle or rehome items at a rescue centre.

Fresh as a daisy

Launder the remaining fabric toys and bedding with pet-safe detergent, thoroughly rinse to remove any residue, and air outside while the weather’s fine. Air fresheners, scented candles and floral bouquets are a common way to mask residual pet odour, but many of them can be toxic to our furry friends. Make sure you choose naturally-scented options and avoid certain flowers, such as lilies, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths, which can be particularly poisonous to cats.

Spring clean your pet

Groom your cat or dog outside when they start moulting to remove the dead hair, and pile it up in a corner or use a fatball feeder for birds to gather it for their nests. Fleas and ticks also emerge in spring, so it’s a good time to start treatment to protect your pets from bites. Remember to always keep your dog on lead in any livestock fields, particularly during lambing season as pregnant ewes can abort their young if they are attacked or worried by a dog. If it is unseasonably warm, remember to take fresh water on walks for your dog; Lulu’s Pet Pantry stocks a range of travel water bottles for pets.

Easter treats

With Easter around the corner, don’t forget that chocolate and raisins are poisonous to dogs, so keep Easter Eggs and hot cross buns safely out of their reach. If you want to give your dog a seasonal treat, why not grab a, Easter treat bag from Lulu’s Pet Pantry.

Wildlife: Birds

Spring is a busy time for Mother Nature and there are a few things that we can do to help. Birds migrating back to the UK need lots of energy to recover from their journey, find a mate, build nests, protect their territory, lay eggs and raise their young. Although spring should produce an abundance of food, a cold, wet or dry spell can deplete natural resources. Check out my previous blog on feeding the birds. Don’t put out whole peanuts in spring as they can pose a choking hazard to young chicks, instead opt for crushed peanuts. Also avoid any dry hard foods or large chunks of bread for the same reason. Clean your feeders and table regularly to avoid food going rancid on warm days, and don’t forget to provide a source of clean water.

Wildlife: Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs will be coming out of hibernation now, and they will also appreciate fresh water along with some semi-moist food and mealworms to help them fatten up again - do not give milk or bread. To encourage hogs into your garden leave a 13cm x 13cm gap in the boundary and offer a pile of leaves in which they can forage for insects and curl up during the day. Check piles of rubbish and compost heaps for wildlife before clearing, cutting or burning.