The arrival of fall brings anticipation of brisk autumnal walks with your dog or cozy cuddles on the couch with your cat. However, fall also brings a host of potential hazards that pet owners should be aware of. So, to keep your pet safe from harm, take a look at our top fall pet safety tips.
Autumn Safety Tips: Toxic Substances
Unfortunately, many dogs will eat substances that can quickly cause toxic poisoning. This can not only lead to severe illness and long-term health problems but may even result in the death of your beloved family pet. To keep your pet safe in autumn, keep your eyes peeled for these potential hazards:
- Mushrooms
As autumn’s cooler, damp weather arrives, mushrooms start to flourish in abundance. These can often lie hidden under drifts of fallen leaves, but inquisitive dogs will often sniff them out. Although most mushrooms may seem harmless to dogs, a small proportion are highly toxic.
During fall, keeping your dog under close control when walking through woodland is advisable to reduce the risk of mushroom poisoning. If you suspect your dog may have eaten a wild mushroom, contact your veterinary clinic immediately for advice.
- Rodenticides
Another issue linked to autumn is an increase in the use of rodenticides. These chemicals not only poison rats but are also severely harmful to pets. Keep any rodent poison well away from your pets and make sure any dead rats are properly disposed of.
- Engine coolant
As the cooler weather approaches, drivers will often top up their engine coolant. Most coolants are highly toxic to pets, so make sure to clean up any spills straight away.
Protecting Your Pet During Fall Festivities
Planning a Halloween party? Before the fun begins, take a moment to ensure that your pet is going to be safe from harm. Not all dogs enjoy festive occasions as much as we do, and those who do like to party are at risk of eating a wide range of undesirable items!
Does your dog panic around unfamiliar people or strange situations? One of the best tips for pets that get anxious during the festive period is to provide a quiet place to relax away from people. Give them some treats as a distraction – chews containing CBD are a good choice – and pop in regularly to make sure they are calm and happy.
If your dog is keen to participate in the Halloween festivities, keep the following items safely out of reach:
- Glow sticks
- Face paints
- Decorations
- Candies & chocolate
- Lanterns & LED lights
- Corn cobs
While Halloween pet costumes may be super cute, make sure your pet is comfortable with getting dressed up first. Try on the costume a few days before the big event to check it fits well and doesn’t cause your dog or cat to become distressed. Never leave a pet unsupervised when wearing any outfit, as they can slip and impede your pet’s movement or breathing.
Even if you’re not celebrating Halloween in your own home, someone in your neighborhood will likely be. This can lead to a string of visitors to your door, all wearing spooky ghoulish costumes. If this is the type of thing your pet finds frightening, keep them shut away in a room before opening the door.
Summary
As summer fades into fall, it is important to be aware of potential hazards that can harm your pet. Halloween celebrations are a particularly high-risk period for pets, especially if you have a dog that will eat anything and everything. By following our pet safety tips for fall, both you and your pets can enjoy this beautiful season without the risk of harm.