Spring is here! As we embark on springtime projects – gardening, cleaning, you name it! – we have to remember to safeguard our pets against plants that are benign to humans, but potentially dangerous to animals.

April, coincidentally, is National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month. In the spirit of keeping our furry, four-legged pals happy and safe to enjoy spring, here are some helpful factoids to keep in mind, courtesy of the ASPCA:

INDOORS
• Easter festivities are now behind us, but are the vestiges of the weekend’s celebration still around? Easter basket decorations like plastic grass and chocolate are dangerous to animals when ingested.

• When doing your spring cleaning, remember to heed the warnings on the labels of your cleaning products. Make sure to store these items away from kids and pets.

• Is painting a part of your springtime cleaning to-do list? Make sure to keep these materials safely stored, or, when in use, clear away from pets. Thinners can cause irritation or chemical burns ingested, and some paint ingredients like metallic compounds are known to cause tummy aches.

OUTDOORS
• Lawn fertilizers are toxic to pets. If you use them on your lawn, carefully read instructions regarding how long pets should be kept away.

• Fleas and ticks can be a menace. Once they find a host, they can breed and spread quickly. It’s always good to take preventative measures.

• Certain plants are toxic to animals. Among them are:
Lilies - They can prove fatal to dogs and cats if eaten. Members of the Lilium spp. are especially dangerous for cats. The tiniest ingestion can cause kidney failure, according to the ASPCA.
Sago Palm - Every part of this plant is poisonous to pets, but it’s the seeds that pose the biggest danger. The toxins in these seeds can cause vomiting, seizures and diarrhea. It’s even known to trigger depression.
Tulips and Narcissus Bulbs – The bulbs in these flowers contain toxins that, when eaten by a pet, lead to gastrointestinal irritation, loss of appetite, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
Azalea - Plants that are members of the Rhododenron spp. have grayanotoxins that can strike the central nervous system, cause pets to vomit and suffer diarrhea. Severe poisoning could lead to a coma and even death.
Oleander - Every part of the oleander is toxic. They inflict physical damage ranging from gastrointestinal tract infections and hypothermia, and death in a worst-case scenario.