Enjoying the Fall Season With Your Pets: Tips To Keep Them Safe

Fall is the time of bright, falling leaves, an abundance of candy, everything pumpkin and that unmistakable chill that permeates the air, signifying that summer is in fact over. A favorite time of year for many, you may feel giddy about partaking in treasured traditions and autumn festivities with your friends and family, including the four-legged variety. You may be ready to get a jump start on your fall planning and celebrating, but before the party begins, ensure you're prepared to keep your pets safe throughout all the changes this season brings.

While some of the activities or autumn changes mentioned below may pose more obvious threats to unsuspecting pets, some are easily overlooked. Check out these tips to ensure you and your pet have both an enjoyable and safe season together.

Autumn Lawn Care

Colorful, swirling leaves begin to cover the ground and so begins the time of raking. This is the time of year when many focus attention on cleaning up lawns, gardens and flowerbeds to prepare for winter. Everyone in the family is sure to have a blast jumping into a giant pile of leaves, but autumn lawncare isn't all fun and games. There are some dangers lurking around the fall season that are worth being aware of. Whether you plan to apply one last lawn treatment to close out the season or are spraying for or trapping outdoor pests beginning to look for shelter as the temperatures drop, you may be using a chemical that poses a major health and safety risk to your pet if they gain access to or ingest it. Some lawn care products that should be kept out of reach of curious pets include:

• Herbicides
• Insecticides
• Vermin, slug or snail baits
• Fertilizer

Decrease in Daylight Hours

The sun begins setting earlier this time of year and that equates to fewer daylight hours. You may often find yourself walking and playing with your pup outside under low-visibility conditions. The darkness makes it more difficult for others to easily see and be aware of your fur baby, raising the possibility of experiencing dangerous incidents. Take precautions to ensure you and others can see your pet once it's dark outside. A light-up safety collar increases your dog's visibility, as does a high-visibility vest . Take into consideration what you would do to ensure little trick-or-treaters remain visible to motorists and take similar precautions to keep your pets safe.

Availability of Extra Treats

Speaking of trick-or-treating, Halloween fun is to be had in the fall, and perhaps extra chocolate and treats are likely to find their way into your home. The ingestion of chocolate poses a large threat to the health of canines and all chocolate treats should be kept out of reach of your pup. Even though you can't share your candy with your best furry friend doesn't mean you can't treat her to something special this season. Stock up on Halloween-themed toys so your pet can partake in all the festive fun in a safe way.

Cooler Temperatures Become the Norm

Dogs with thick fur or who are sensitive to heat will rejoice over cooler days. It's the perfect time to take long walks and enjoy the brisk, chilly air and take in the changing leaves. If temps dip too low for your pet to stay comfortable, or if she chills easily, consider decking her out in a cozy sweater or jacket . It's still important your pup gets adequate exercise when the weather turns chillier, so ensure her comfort so she can join you on all your outdoor fall adventures. If your pet prefers to stay warm, cozy and cuddly indoors, treat her to a plush and snuggly blanket to block out the chill.

Changes To Routines and Schedules

If you're coming off a summer where perhaps you were home more, or children were on a break from school, it's likely that everyone had more time to hang out with the family dog. A change in routine or schedules in the fall can be jarring for dogs. If your pooch is getting less of your attention, or family members are more often away from home during the day, pups can feel ignored and sometimes act out if experiencing boredom, frustration or anxiety. Help your pup safely maneuver through changing times and circumstances with distractions. An interactive dog toy or chew keeps your doggo busy and less focused on the fact she doesn't have your full attention at the moment.

Watch Out for Fall Wildlife

There are many changes in nature that occur during the fall season. This is a major growing time for wild mushrooms and you may see them pop up in your own yard, or come across some while out for a walk or exploring a park. While not all varieties of mushrooms are poisonous to dogs, many are and it can be difficult to discern between which ones are safe and which are not. It's best to err on the side of caution and keep all wild mushrooms out of your dog's mouth.

This is also a time when snakes are beginning preparations for hibernation. Many bites occur when dogs accidentally come upon unsuspecting snakes and startle them. Protect your pet from bites by being aware of any poisonous snake species that typically live in your area and then be on the lookout.

Autumn is a fabulous time to enjoy the changing weather and partake in fun and festive activities, and it's even more fun when you let your pet join you in the celebrations. Ensure both a fun and safe season for you and your pup by following these tips for a healthy fall.