Ahh the Smells of Autumn and the Crunch of Leaves are pure joy for these two doggies.
Join Miya and Meesha for a perfect fall day of fun with their dog tips for fall.

Fall is a wonderful time to get out and play with your dogs, from the ever changing colour of the leaves, to the perfect brisk fall weather temperatures. Makes any dog want to run, chase and roll their way to true happiness.  My Meesha loves to chase the leaves as they blow around. My Miya loves to sniff and roll around in the leaves. Now you may think the picture I just described looks so inviting and fun, but there could be dangers for your dogs that you might not think about.

Having fun is our motto, but safety is always number one.

The cooler fall temperatures always bring out many dog owners and family’s to the park. This gives everyone a great way to be outside as well as getting more exercise. However parks are full of wonderful rotting leaves. This rot to a dog can be like the best perfume scent you have ever owned. Having a dog that just rolled in something stinky then brings the smell into your home is something you definitely don’t want to happen.

Our family loves to rake the leaves into piles; our daughter especially loves jumping into the leaf piles. That said so does Miya and Meesha, specifically all those great smells. However when raking those leaves, keep in mind there can be sharp sticks or jagged stones. These could hurt your dogs’ paws or stick into their coats.  As well, when you have three dogs as we do, the possibility of raking some missed poop could be to delight for your dog, but not so delightful to you when you step in it. Ugh! So just be careful on what you’re raking up with those beautiful leaves!

Tree debris choking hazards

Tree debris is dangerous to your pet. If your pet ingests sharp edges of sticks, pine needles and pine cones this could damage or puncture a dog’s gastrointestinal tract.  Acorns are toxic to dogs and could cause an intestinal blockage.  Always check for fallen fruit, especially plum and peach pits which contain cyanide a toxic chemical and should not be ingested by dogs.

Hibernation time for Rodents and Snakes

In the fall, rodents seek shelter from the cooler temperatures by attempting to move indoors. Many home owners use rodenticides to deter these new inhabitants.  Rodenticides are highly toxic to pets. If ingested, the results could be fatal. If you must use these products, do so with extreme caution and put them in places inaccessible to your pets.

Autumn is also the season when snakes are preparing for hibernation. At this time snakes can be particularly “grumpy,” increasing the possibility of severe bites to those unlucky doggies who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pet owners should know what kinds of venomous snakes may be in their environment.  The areas where these snakes are most likely to be found is somewhere you and your pets should stay clear of.

Fall can be a time for allergies

Miya has allergies to trees and pollen. When her allergies are acting up she chews on her paws and drives her face into the carpet. Just like humans dogs have similar allergy signs like sneezing, coughing and watery eyes. Miya can lick her paws so much that her fur turns a reddish-brown colour. This is an obvious indicator on light colour dogs, however can be easily missed on darker colour dogs. If your dog has any of these signs, they could be suffering from seasonal allergies. Fall inhalant allergies are commonly caused by ragweed and mold. This is what causes itchy eyes, drippy noses and sneezing. Since Miya’s case was mild, our veterinarian suggested we try over the counter Benadryl in a dosage discussed with our veterinarian.  This worked for Miya on her bad allergy days. However if you suspect that your dog is suffering from allergies, it’s time to visit your veterinarian for professional advice.

Sometimes a pup may still ingest something you didn’t see.

Try Pumpkin – yummy for your doggie and good for their health

My dogs love pumpkin! They even love licking the inside of the Jack’o’Lanterns that we create for Halloween. Pumpkin is a great food for dogs. Pumpkin is both nutritious and low in calories.  In fact, pure canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) is a good source of fiber and is often recommended as a dietary addition for a dog suffering from diarrhea. Pumpkins are actually considered a fruit of the squash family. Like many fruits, pumpkins contain high amounts of fiber, which is important to digestive health. The soluble fiber in pumpkin slows digestion, which is beneficial in the management of diarrhea. Just make sure to check with your Veterinarian on how much to give your pet since too much of a good thing could lead to a bad thing.

Fall is a great time of year for you and your pets

Fall is a very special time, with cooler temperatures and leaves turning beautiful colour’s,  it’s a great way for a family of humans and doggies to spend some time together outside. Keep in mind what’s hidden in those beautiful leaves. We hope you enjoyed our dog tips for fall.  If you have any tips please let us know.

Have a fun afternoon outside with your pets before the cold begins to creep in!