Fall may very well be one of Fido’s favorite seasons. He gets to run and play outdoors without being too hot or too cold, and often enjoys the crisp air and beautiful weather just as much as people do. Of course, every season comes with its own set of pros and cons for our furry friends, and autumn is no different. Read on as a local Lexington, KY vet goes over some key safety concerns for pet owners to be aware of.

Be Aware Of Seasonal Canine Illness

Fall is often cold and flu season for us humans. And, as it turns out, for Fido, too. If you’ve never heard of seasonal canine illness, don’t be too surprised: it’s really not widely known. The illness itself is still much of a mystery. What we do know? It comes on quite fast, and is typically seen in dogs that have been out walking in the woods. Symptoms usually develop between one and three days after a pooch has gone for a walk, but can get severe quickly.

Warning signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, fever, and tremors. Of course, these things can be associated with a wide variety of illnesses. If you spot any of these red flags—or any other signs of illness—in your pet, contact your vet right away.

Be Cautious of Toxins

At this time of year, many people will be applying products to their lawns and gardens. This is also a common time for people to set out pesticides and rodenticides, as many critters will be trying to get inside as the weather cools. These types of products are not only poisonous for their intended victims: they are also highly toxic to pets, and can even be fatal. If you use pesticides or rodenticides, take precautions to make sure that your pet won’t come into contact with them.

Keep in mind that many of these things can also poison the animals that hunt vermin. Owls and other raptors, cats, and many other small animals can be poisoned by a mouse that has eaten bait.

Watch For Antifreeze Spills

Rodenticides aren’t the only issue to be concerned with. Antifreeze is another concern. Many brands have a taste that pets find appealing. While some companies have moved over to less dangerous products, this isn’t universal. Propylene glycol-based coolants are a safer option, though they aren’t exactly safe. Keep in mind that pets can also ingest toxins by walking through a spill and then licking their paws. Clean any spills up right away, and put sand or cat litter down on damp spots.

Decorate Carefully

Fido is curious and playful. These are usually wonderful traits, but they do backfire sometimes. Dogs don’t know what is and isn’t safe for them, and they sometimes try to test things by, well, eating them. That can be quite dangerous: your pet could choke or ingest something toxic in just moments.

When decorating, whether for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or the winter holidays, keep anything small or sharp out of paws’ reach. That includes smaller nicnacs and things like beads, buttons, craft kit pieces, coins, jewelry … the list goes on. Anything ropy or stringy is also unsafe. That includes things like paper streamers, garlands, tinsel, and that fake spiderweb you hung off your porch.

Be Very Careful With Fires

Candles, fire pits, and fire places feature heavily in many of those inviting photos of cozy autumn homes and scenes. Just be very careful here: pets and flames are definitely not a good mix. Keep candles in thick holders or sconces, and make sure that they stay well out of paws’ reach. When using fire pits and fire places, just take precautions to make sure your furry pal can’t get too close.

Watch Out For Flora

There are also some seasonal plants to be careful of. Conkers—or horse chestnuts—are one hazard. They contain toxic alkaloid saponins and glucosides, which are toxic to dogs. (Fun fact: chestnut trees gave Ohio State University its nickname of Buckeyes, as Ohio had quite a lot of them.)

Conkers aren’t the only concern, though. Here are a few others to be concerned about:

• Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemums are not typically fatal, but can cause several serious problems, such as vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and dermatitis, if consumed.
• Red Maple: Red maples are gorgeous, but those pretty leaves are poisonous to pets. You don’t have to worry so much about your pet stepping on them, but definitely don’t let him ingest them.
• Ginko Plant: Ginkgo Trees (Ginkgo biloba) are also toxic. There is a caveat here: only the seed from the female tree is dangerous. (They’re also stinky.) Signs of ingestion include vomiting and seizures.

Ask your Lexington, KY vet for more information on safe and unsafe plants.

Keep Him Warm

If you have a pooch with a double coat, such as a husky, you can probably skip over this one. However, many pups have much thinner fur, and can get cold quite easily when temperatures drop. If Fido has short, sleek fur, he’ll probably need a jacket to wear on chilly nights. Make sure that everything is clean, fits well, and isn’t too tight, hot, loose, or constricting.

Take Care Of Fido’s Furry Feet

As it gets cold, you’ll need to pay those cute toe beans some extra attention.  Cold, dry air can leave Fido’s paw pads chafed and irritated. You can use paw balm or wax to protect your dog’s paw pads. Also, be careful with where you walk your pup when it’s just snowed. Snow can hide hazards, such as broken glass. 

If you are starting to stock up on de-icing products, look for pet friendly ones.

Offer A Good Bed

This applies year round, but it is especially important in cooler weather. Make sure that your canine buddy has a nice, comfy dog bed to snuggle up in. Orthopedic beds are great, as they offer extra support. Of course, there’s no rule that says Fido should only have one. Get a few different ones, and put them in various rooms.

Reconsider Dietary Needs

You may need to adjust your canine buddy’s diet a bit over the next few months. Some dogs may need extra calories. If Fido spends a lot of time outdoors, is underweight or naturally slender, has thin fur, is highly active, or is a puppy, senior, or nursing mama, he may need to eat a bit more.

Some pooches will also benefit from supplements. Cold, damp weather can aggravate stiff and sore bones and joints, worsening painful conditions such as arthritis. Glucosamine can sometimes help with this. Your canine pal may also benefit from supplements that contain fish oil, green-lipped mussel, or chondroitin, among other things. However, this is something that you’ll definitely want to talk over with your Lexington, KY vet. Supplements are not one-size fits all!

Prepare For Night Walks

As winter closes in, the sun will be setting earlier and earlier each day. If your furry pal stays home while you go off to work, turn a light and radio on to make the house more comfortable for him. When walking Fido, use a bright or reflective leash or harness, and wear things that can be easily seen yourself. Good footwear is also a must, especially as it starts to get icy.

Make An Appointment At Our Lexington, KY Pet Hospital

Do you have questions about your dog’s health or care? Contact us, your animal Lexington, KY clinic, today!