Autumn Pet Care

Now that autumn is well underway, the weather is cooler, holidays are around the corner, and some of us will prepare for winter. While seasonal changes are beautiful and herald happy celebrations, they also bring about a few concerns regarding your pets.

1. Beware of anti-freeze! Ingesting antifreeze is lethal for pets.  Unfortunately, both cats and dogs have been known to lick this sweet tasting substance. Make sure to check your car for leaks and make sure all bottles are stored far away from your pets.  Antifreeze drips and spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid poisoning household animals

2. Don’t leave your pets outside for prolonged periods of time. It doesn’t have to be Winter for it to get cold–especially for puppies, senior pets and smaller animals.

3. Beware of ticks. It’s still tick season and playing in the cool autumn leaves is one of the many ways your pooch could get them. Consider using a natural tick repellent to help protect your pet. Pay attention to your lawn care this time of year. Ticks prefer to live in tall grass, so giving your lawn a good manicure and keeping your pets confined can help keep your tick problem under control.

4. Let them have their fur coat. If you have a dog that you shave during the summer, let him start growing his coat back in the fall. Just like you need your Fall/Winter coat, he’ll needs his too.

5. The changing of seasons is great time to check your pet ID tags and microchip. Just take 5 minutes to make sure all your pet’s information is up to date and registered properly.

6. Make holiday arrangements with your dog walker, pet sitter, or doggy day care NOW. As the holidays approach, most of us will get busier and possibly have to travel. Take time out and plan ahead so you can make the holidays easier on your pets.

7. Fall celebrations, such as Thanksgiving and Halloween, often mean people coming over to visit your home. If you have a pet that has special needs or is wary of new people, be sure to tell your guests about your pet before they come over.

8. Be careful with holiday treats. Aside from known hazards such as chocolate, cooked bones, fat trimmings, and nuts, many fruits and vegetables can also be life threatening to pets. Please see my article Foods That Are Harmful To Your Pet for more information on foods that may harm your pet and make him sick.

9. This time of year encourages rodents to seek warmer shelter so do not leave any rodenticides in garages or sheds where your pet could get at them, as these can also be fatal if eaten.

10. Another turn of the season threat is snakes. As temperatures go down, snakes go into hibernation mode, which means they will be extra grumpy when disturbed. Pet owners who live near areas with snake-friendly, wooded areas should take extra care. Fall is also hunting season, which makes the woods an extra unsafe place for taking pets out walking.

11. With the change of the season come certain changes in the environment. Fall and spring are both mushroom seasons, which mean potential life-threatening problems to pets. Owners should watch out for umbrella-shaped mushrooms and brown mushrooms and take your pet to the vet immediately when a pet ingests one. Symptoms of illness can range from vomiting to severe digestive problems to complete liver failure.

Remember, each season comes with new adventures and enjoyment for pets as well as new health concerns. Knowing how to keep your pet healthy throughout each season will make both you and your pet happy and able to enjoy the time of year.