Autumn is a beautiful season but it can come with hazards for pets. This guide is designed to help pet parents aware of such hazards in order to be proactive as the season in.
Autumn is a beautiful time of year but it can come with hazards for pets. As pet parents, it is vital that we are aware of seasonal hazards in order to protect our furry friends. This guide is designed to help make pet parents aware of such hazards in order to be proactive as the autumn draws in.
Check Their Shelter
While many dogs enjoy spending time outdoors in the spring and summer, during the colder, wetter months they need warm, dry shelter. Because dogs are pack animals, their strongest instinct is to be near their family inside the house, preferably on the sofa next to you. Make sure that your pets’ beds (both inside and out) get a good wash before the winter comes to ensure they have a good clean, hygienic place to come into when the weather gets worse.
Walking After Dark
Darkness has crept into the evening walk and that means being visible is key to being safe. Hi viz reflective gear for dogs ensures that drivers can see them and us humans should don some as well. With the cold and rain coming along with the dark, a dog raincoat with reflective trim is a great solution that can also keep your fur baby warm and dry. Always keep your dog on lead when walking along roads.
Dangers from Plants
Conkers are great fun for people but they are toxic to pets and pose a choking hazard. Acorns, which grow on oak trees, are also a toxic choking hazard to your pet. Right now, mushrooms of all sorts are appearing and some of them are poisonous. Unfortunately, your dog doesn’t know which ones and, while they might not eat them, if they dig where there are mushrooms and then lick their paws to clean them, they may ingest some by accident. If your dog appears weak or lethargic, vomits or has diarrhoea immediately contact your vet. Explain your dog’s symptoms and where they have been that day to help your vet determine if your pet has encountered something poisonous. They can then form an action plan to treat your pet and restore them to full health.
Man-made Hazards
A common man-made hazard used in the winter is Vehicle Anti-Freeze. Anti-freeze is extremely dangerous to pets and, unless a bittering agent is added, the scent and taste are very appealing to dogs. Make sure to store this product in a safe place out of the range of your pet to avoid accidental mishaps. Many people put down poison for rodents in the autumn. This poses two dangers: dogs could get the poison directly or they could get a rodent that has been poisoned. Either way, the dog is consuming the poison. If you are using this method of pest control, it is essential to facilitate of “pet proof” containers to prevent ingestion and other nasty consequences.
Autumn is a beautiful season. Our walks might be shorter on the rainy days but as long as they can stay near us our pets are mostly content.
