Spring into Good Health: Top Pet Health Tips for the Season

Admin Team

As the flowers bloom and the days grow warmer, spring is a great time to refresh your pet’s health routine. But with all the sunshine and outdoor fun comes a few seasonal challenges. From pesky parasites to allergies and shedding fur, here are some essential spring pet health tips to help your furry friend thrive.



1. Watch Out for Seasonal Allergies

Just like us, pets can suffer from spring allergies. Pollen, grass, and even mould can cause itchy skin, red eyes, sneezing, or excessive licking and chewing.


Signs your pet may have allergies include:

  • Scratching or biting at skin
  • Hair loss or hot spots
  • Runny eyes or nose
  • Paw chewing or licking

If your pet is showing any of these signs, book a check-up. We can help identify the cause and recommend safe, effective treatments.


2. Stay Ahead of Fleas & Ticks

Warmer weather brings fleas, ticks, and other parasites out in full force. These pests aren’t just annoying—they can cause allergic reactions, transmit disease, and lead to more serious problems like tapeworms or tick-borne illnesses.


Be proactive:

  • Keep your pet up to date on flea, tick, and worming treatments
  • Check your pet’s coat regularly, especially after walks
  • Treat your home and garden if needed

Talk to us about the best prevention options for your pet’s lifestyle.


3. Revisit Nutrition & Weight Management

With more opportunities for exercise and outdoor play, spring is a great time to reassess your pet’s diet and fitness routine. Overweight pets are more prone to joint issues, heart disease, and diabetes.


Spring health check-up tips:

  • Make sure your pet is on the right diet for their age and activity level
  • Measure portions carefully and avoid overfeeding
  • Add in daily walks, games, or puzzle toys for mental and physical stimulation

Not sure what your pet's ideal weight should be? We’re here to help with tailored diet plans and weight checks.


4. Book in a Spring Grooming Session

Spring is the perfect season for a fresh start. Regular grooming keeps your pet comfortable, reduces matting, and allows you to spot any lumps, bumps, or skin issues early.


Spring grooming essentials:

  • A good brush-out to remove winter coat buildup
  • Nail trims to avoid discomfort or injury
  • Ear cleaning to prevent infections
  • Trimming fur around paws and sanitary areas

Many pets also benefit from a professional groom—especially breeds with thick or long coats.


5. Vaccinations and Preventive Care

Spring often means more time outdoors, which increases exposure to other animals and potential diseases. It’s a good time to make sure your pet is up to date with their vaccinations and 6 monthly health checks.


Include:

  • Reminder about core and lifestyle vaccines (like kennel cough or leptospirosis for dogs)
  • Heartworm testing and prevention
  • Routine bloodwork or senior health screens


Ready to Spring into Action?


Spring is the season of renewal—and your pet deserves to feel their best. Whether it's time for a check-up, grooming appointment, or a chat about nutrition and parasite prevention, our team is here to support you every step of the way.


Book your pet’s spring health check today!

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Important YVV Update

By Admin Team • February 17, 2026
Sadly, we have had some staff changes recently at Yass Valley Veterinary. After 3 years, Dr Issy Card has taken a small animal position in Canberra. Our recently married Dr Anne Cusack is relocating to Wagga for her husband’s work, and Dr Natalie Flew is also leaving us to work in an emergency afterhours clinic in Canberra with more suitable hours for her new family. We will all miss these three amiable, dedicated and competent veterinarians and wish them well in their future pursuits. Dr Stuart Williams, after almost 33 years at Yass Valley Veterinary (15 years as a partner with Dr Peter Gibbs and 15 years as sole principal), is resigning from his full-time position at the end of February. He is looking forward to having a break away from afterhours on call and managing a large staff across two hospitals. Working as a volunteer veterinarian in Australia and overseas, travelling with his wife Cath and spending some much needed time at home and in the garden, is on the agenda for Stuart in the short term. Dr Tamara Butler, who has been with the business for 17 years, will be promoted to the Lead Vet role when Stuart resigns. Dr Nicole McKenzie will take on the Tamara’s Veterinary Manager role, while Ms Carrie Luckie will retain the Practice Manager role. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and care that each of our departing veterinarians has given to our clients and patients, and their departures will mean a temporary change to our service availability. Be assured that we are actively and enthusiastically recruiting veterinarians to join our team. We’d like to introduce Dr Josh Tannen, a small animal veterinarian & surgeon, who will be with us until April. This experienced and easy-going locum will be very welcome by the team. However, in the short term, we will be operating with a smaller team, so there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the full range of services that are currently provided. What does this mean for you? • At times, we may need to rotate Saturday clinic closures. • There will be evenings or weekends when we do not have an after-hours veterinarian available. We will always do our best to keep you informed. Any changes to opening hours or services will be communicated via our social media pages and through notifications on the Yass Vet App. As always, if you require after-hours assistance when a veterinarian is not available, please call us on 6226 4444. Your call will be answered by a team of qualified nurses who will triage your situation and direct you to the closest appropriate emergency hospital if needed. We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. Our commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care for your animals remains at the heart of everything we do.