Autumn Pet Safety: Tips For The Changing Season

With a few simple adjustments, you and your pet can enjoy everything fall has to offer, from crisp morning walks to cozy nights in.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as the seasons change; so you and your pet will be set for a smooth transition:

Keeping your Nose to the ground

Autumn brings cooler weather and changing scenery—and with it, a few unexpected things to look out for. Leaves, acorns, and sprouting mushrooms may seem like minor features on the trail, but they can pose serious choking hazards and mild-to-threatening gastric distress for pets, if ingested. It’s important to keep an eye on where your pets roam—especially in areas with lots of trees, or in damp spots where mushrooms thrive. It’s all about a little extra awareness while enjoying the outdoors together. After your walk, don’t forget to check your pets for ticks; in addition to tall/hanging foliage, ticks love to hide out in leaf litter!

Pesticides, not pets-ticides

If you’re gearing up for winter by working on the car or prepping the house, keep in mind that things like pest control products pose a serious risk to pets if ingested, even in small quantities. Other products like paints, cleaning supplies, and automotive chemicals—especially antifreeze (which has a characteristically sweet taste & smell) are likely to attract curiosity. Store chemicals carefully, in sealed, out-of-reach containers.

When dealing with pest issues, consider pet-friendly options like humane traps or natural repellents. A bit of foresight goes a long way, making sure routine fall chores don’t accidentally result in an emergency trip to the vet.

Scents that Make Sense

Candles and scented essential oils are a great way to add a cozy autumn vibe to your home, but certain situations can put you at risk. Consider the likelihood that a curious dog or cat may knock over a burning candle if left unattended, posing a fire hazard.

Some ingredients and fragrances can be harmful to pets, so be sure to research any oils or candles you plan to use, and opt for pet-safe products to avoid accidental exposure. It’s all about making your space inviting for everyone, including your pets!

Fall feasts & furry friends

Fall often means extra goodies around the house, especially with Halloween candy and holiday meals on the horizon. While it’s tempting to indulge your pets with leftovers, not all human food is safe for them. Many Halloween treats—including those with raisins, chocolate, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol—are toxic to dogs and cats, and ingredients like grapes, onions, garlic, nuts, alcohol, and fatty cuts of meat can cause severe symptoms like gastric distress, poisoning, and pancreatitis. Poultry bones, especially after cooking, pose several risks—not only as a choking hazard, but splintered bones travelling through the digestive tract can cause life-threatening injury.

If you’re handing out treats or enjoying leftovers, just make sure to keep the people food out of paw’s reach. Instead, keep some pet-friendly snacks on hand so they can safely join in on the fun!

don’t hesitate to contact a professional

Holidays are hectic times, and it can be tempting to “wait and see” when our schedules are full and our pet does something unexpected. But when it comes to safety, contacting your vet, poison control, or an emergency clinic immediately is always the right course of action, even if it causes a kink in plans. It’s better to sit through a minor inconvenience now, than risk exacerbating the issue or losing a loved one to save time in the short term.

Similarly, if you contract a dog walker or pet sitter during the holidays, make sure your pets are up to date on their shots, and keep your emergency veterinary contacts updated and accessible—also consider that your regular clinic may not be open on holidays, and chat with your walker/sitter beforehand about alternatives. Safety first!

This article was written in part based on source material from the Ontario SPCA, a registered charity that’s been operating for over 150 years. The Society provides care, comfort and compassion to animals in need in communities across Ontario. This holiday season, please consider visiting their donation page to make a donation to this worthy cause.