April showers bring May flowers—and a host of warm-weather risks for pets. As the temperatures rise, how can your veterinary practice help clients prepare for seasonal threats like flea and tick infestations or heatstroke?
Client education is the greatest defense against year-round risks to pet health and safety, so we’ve come up with some fresh, practical ways to use educational content for preventive pet care this spring.
“Flea” from ticks
Blood-sucking arachnids probably don’t top the list of typical dinner conversation topics. Instead, most pet owners approach fleas and ticks on a need-to-know basis only. No infestation, no worries… right?
Problem is, ignorance isn’t always bliss—in fact, it can actually lead to an infestation. Client education, on the other hand, can help prevent one. So this flea and tick season, consider kicking off an educational campaign at your veterinary practice. You can share “Did You Know” flea and tick facts on your social media accounts and take advantage of the seasonal opportunity to invite clients to your clinic for preventive treatments.
Need a hand getting in touch with pet owners? ALLYDVM’s customizable client communications make it easy to set up automated text, email or postcard reminders when it’s time for a checkup.
Beat the heat
Spring temperatures may not rival those of summer, but the heat still poses several health risks for pets. Given that dogs, for example, prioritize having fun outdoors over taking things slow, dehydration and heatstroke are all too common. For clients focused on keeping their pets active, it can be difficult to notice the signs of overheating.
Posting the warning signs of heatstroke on social media or sending out email blasts can help spread the word about warm weather risks to keep pet owners informed. Remember, client education can be fun too—so be sure to include fun tips to keep pups hydrated, active, and cool all season long.
Poison patrol
Transitional seasons like spring often bring about new and exciting plant life for curious pets to explore. As the temperature rises, pets risk exposure to a variety of toxic plants, flowers, and even seasonal foods—some more obvious to pet owners than others. So what’s the best way to keep pet owners in the loop on pet poison?
Your veterinary blog can be a major asset here, allowing you to disseminate critical information about seemingly ordinary plant and food items that clients may not realize are dangerous for their pets. This sort of thing is done often around the holidays, so there’s no reason it won’t be just as successful for making the most of the great outdoors in warm weather. After all, avoidance is the best form of poison control!
Snakes, coyotes, and bears—oh my!
Need some more inspiration for veterinary blog post ideas? Move over toxic plants, let’s talk about the dangerous wildlife that resurfaces after the winter thaw. Depending on where your clinic calls home, local pets could encounter a variety of potentially dangerous animals while out on walks, at the dog park, or even in their own backyard. Will your clients know how to handle these situations?
While you want to avoid frightening pet owners, it can be helpful to do a brief roundup of local risk species in your area. You can spread the word on social media and provide educational handouts at the office to raise awareness of potential bite, fight, and disease exposure risks.
Together, let’s make this season safer and healthier for pets by implementing these simple, yet effective client education strategies at your veterinary practice!
