By Dogs Love Cat · March 05, 2026 · 5 min read

Spring Dog Care Checklist: 8 Things to Do Before April

Spring is here — and while you're busy swapping out your wardrobe and deep-cleaning your home, your dog needs a seasonal reset too. As temperatures warm and days grow longer, your pup's health, grooming routine, and outdoor activity level all shift. Getting ahead of these changes now means fewer vet visits, a happier coat, and a dog who's ready to hit the trails by April.

Here's your complete spring dog care checklist — eight things every responsible pet parent should do before the season is in full swing.

1. Prepare for Shedding Season

If you own a double-coated breed like a Golden Retriever, Husky, or German Shepherd, you already know what's coming: tumbleweeds of fur across every surface in your home. Spring triggers the "coat blow" — when dogs shed their thick winter undercoat in favor of a lighter summer layer.

The best thing you can do is get ahead of it with daily brushing. A high-quality slicker brush removes loose fur before it ends up on your sofa and stimulates healthy regrowth. The Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is a fan favorite because the retractable pins release collected fur with a single click — no picking out clumps with your fingers. Brush outside if possible to keep the fur out of your living space.

Even short-coated breeds benefit from regular spring brushing. It distributes natural skin oils and reduces itching caused by dry winter skin transitioning to more humid conditions.

2. Start Tick and Flea Prevention Early

Don't wait until you find a tick to start thinking about prevention. Ticks become active as soon as temperatures consistently hit 40°F (4°C) — which in many regions means late February or early March. Fleas follow shortly after.

The Flea & Tick Prevention Collar offers up to 8 months of protection and starts working within 24 hours. Unlike topical treatments, a collar provides continuous protection without the hassle of monthly reapplication. Make sure the collar fits properly — you should be able to slip two fingers underneath — and check it monthly for wear.

Check your dog after every outdoor walk — pay close attention to armpits, between toes, around the ears, and under the collar
Vacuum your home frequently — flea eggs can survive in carpet for months
Treat your yard if you have a grassy outdoor area where your dog spends time
Ask your vet about additional oral preventatives if you live in a high-tick area

3. Watch for Seasonal Allergies

Spring pollen doesn't just affect humans. Dogs can develop environmental allergies that present as itchy skin, paw licking, watery eyes, and ear infections. If your dog was scratching constantly last spring, it's worth having a conversation with your vet now — before symptoms peak in April and May.

Signs your dog may have seasonal allergies:

Excessive paw licking or chewing
Red, inflamed skin (especially the belly, armpits, and groin)
Frequent ear shaking or dark discharge in the ears
Runny eyes or nose
Increased scratching with no visible parasite cause

Wiping your dog's paws and coat with a damp cloth after every outdoor walk removes a significant amount of surface pollen. Regular grooming with a Pet Grooming Glove also helps capture loose allergens from the coat during the brushing process — and most dogs love the massage-like sensation.

4. Give Your Dog's Paws Some Attention

Winter is rough on paw pads. Months of cold pavement, salt, and ice-melting chemicals can leave pads cracked, dry, and sensitive. As spring arrives and your dog spends more time outdoors, those paw issues can worsen with rough terrain, warmer asphalt, and spring mud.

Check your dog's paws weekly and look for:

Cracked or peeling pad skin
Redness or swelling between the toes
Unusual licking or nibbling at the feet
Overgrown nails that are changing your dog's gait

Speaking of nails — spring exercise ramp-up means more time on hard surfaces, which can accelerate wear on overgrown nails and cause discomfort or even joint strain. The Dog Nail Grinder makes it easy to keep nails at a safe length at home, on your schedule. Its quiet USB-rechargeable motor is far less stressful for dogs than traditional clippers.

5. Ramp Up Exercise Gradually

After a winter of shorter walks and more indoor time, your dog may be carrying a little extra weight and have lower cardiovascular endurance than you'd expect. Jumping straight into long hikes or intense fetch sessions can lead to sore muscles, joint strain, or even injury.

A safe spring exercise ramp-up looks like this:

Week 1–2: Add 5–10 minutes to your regular walk duration
Week 3–4: Introduce light off-leash play or gentle trail walks
Week 5+: Gradually increase intensity based on your dog's energy and recovery

For dogs exercising in warmer spring weather, hydration and overheating are real concerns — especially for brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs. The Dog Cooling Summer Vest is an excellent early investment. Wet the vest before your walk, and the evaporative cooling technology keeps your dog's core temperature regulated during outdoor activity.

6. Refresh Your Grooming Routine

Spring is the perfect time to reset your grooming habits before summer heat amplifies the consequences of neglect. A matted coat in 80-degree weather is miserable for your dog. Build a simple weekly routine now:

Brushing: 3–5 times per week during coat blow season; weekly maintenance otherwise
Bathing: Every 4–6 weeks for most breeds, or after muddy outdoor adventures
Ear cleaning: Monthly, or after water exposure for floppy-eared breeds
Nail trimming: Every 3–4 weeks, or when you hear nails clicking on hard floors
Teeth brushing: Ideally daily, minimum 3x per week

Use a Pet Grooming Glove as part of your daily bonding routine — five minutes of "petting" with the glove while watching TV is a low-effort way to remove loose hair and keep the coat looking neat between full brush sessions.

7. Schedule Your Spring Vet Checkup

Annual wellness exams are important, but spring checkups carry specific value. Your vet can:

Update heartworm prevention prescriptions (heartworm season peaks with mosquito activity in spring)
Review flea and tick prevention strategy for your specific region
Check your dog's weight after a potentially more sedentary winter
Address any skin or coat issues that developed over winter
Discuss allergy management if your dog struggled last spring

Book your appointment in late February or early March — spring is a busy season for vet clinics, and waiting until symptoms appear means longer wait times and more discomfort for your dog.

8. Gear Up for Outdoor Adventures

Spring is outdoor season. Longer daylight hours mean more walks, hikes, and park trips. Make sure your gear is ready before the season peaks:

Check your harness and leash for wear and proper fit — dogs often gain or lose weight seasonally
Stock up on poop bags before your first big park outing
Inspect your dog's ID tag — make sure it's legible and your contact info is current
Consider a cooling solution for warmer days — the Dog Cooling Summer Vest is ideal for breeds prone to overheating
Refresh your first aid kit — add tick removal tools and antiseptic wipes

Spring Into Action

The best spring you and your dog will ever have starts with a little preparation now. Work through this checklist over the next few weeks, and by the time April arrives, your pup will be groomed, protected, geared up, and ready for everything the season has to offer.

Shop everything you need for a great spring season at Dogs Love Cat — from grooming essentials to outdoor gear, we have you covered.