Pet Safety Tips for Autumn

Pumpkin spice and everything nice: Fall is here! And along with the much needed cool weather, you can pull out your pet’s favorite sweater and pumpkin flavored treats! We love fall and you probably do, too! To make this season more about thanks than “oops,” we’ve put together some of our favorite safety tips for keeping your pets out of trouble.

Fall in love with keeping your pet safe and healthy this autumn with these fall-tastic tips!

1. Fallen Fruit is a No-Go

As fruit falls to the ground, your dog or cat may feel like the luckiest pup or kitty in the world. And why wouldn’t he? He has a buffet of fruit to snack on until he can’t eat anymore. 

Seeds, pits, and excess fruit can cause diarrhea or upset stomach. And if your pup has the appetite of a goldfish, he could wind up with heart issues, seizures, coma, and even death. 

Keep an eye on your hungry cat or canine and remove fallen fruit from your yard.

2. A Quick Lesson on Back to School Dangers

Does your dog seem to more sullen than usual? This could be because of the change in routine as the kids board the bus and go back to school. 

Cats also miss their little humans while they’re away.

If you think your pet needs to get some extra wiggles out or to help distract them from how much they miss the kids, schedule a pet walker to come over and play with your cat or walk your dog. Establishing a new schedule can give your dog a potty break and break up the day for bored pets.

While your dog may not eat your kids’ homework, he may still get into trouble when it comes to your children’s school supplies. Some supplies to watch out for that can cause intestinal blockage or other health issues include:

• Glue
• Glue sticks
• Pencils 
• Pens
• Yarn
• Paper clips
• Rubber bands

3. Trick or Treat!

Don’t let your dog or cat get tricked by your children’s treats. From xylitol to chocolate Halloween candy can be poisonous to dogs and cats. Keep your candy bowl out of reach of your pets and your kids’ Halloween haul locked away too.

And when it comes to the kids’ costumes, keep any loose strings and ribbons tucked away. These can tempt curious cats and become a choking hazard for mischievous dogs.

4. Mushrooms are a Must-Don’t

Whether you’re walking in the woods with your pup or letting your cat take a stroll in the backyard, keep an eye out for mushrooms. They tend to pop up out of nowhere this time of year and many can be poisonous to dogs and cats.

Pick and dispose of mushrooms if you seem them and supervise your pet if they might stumble across mushrooms.

5. Beware of Anti-Freeze

If you add antifreeze to your car, make sure you close the container tightly, clean up any spilled anti-freeze, and store the container in a pet-proof place.

6. Fall Can Mean an Up-Tick in Ticks

As the weather cools, the ticks warm up. Not only are ticks more active in this cool weather, but we tend to spend more time outside. Protect your pet with tick preventative medicine and check him for ticks when you get back from long walks.

After you unpack your sweaters and stock up on marshmallows, give us a call to schedule your pet’s fall checkup. We can refill your tick prevention or recommend some treats for those fuzzy trick-or-treaters.