DOGS IN AUTUMN
A guide for pet owners: essentials to keep your four-legged friends happy and healthy during the fall season
With autumn already here, dog owners should take care to 'autumn-proof' their dogs to keep them healthy and safe throughout the season.
- Enjoying the season: This doesn’t usually require much effort. Using appropriate equipment and clothing (where necessary) and being aware of some potential dangers in the natural environment is generally all it takes to protect your pet. Once you’ve done that, you and your dog will be free to enjoy the pleasures of the season.
- Darkness: As summer draws to a close, it gets dark earlier. If you go out with your dog later in the afternoon, make sure your four-legged friend is visible in the dark. Reflective collars, harnesses and leashes are great for this and can help to prevent accidents (e.g. involving cyclists). Long-haired dogs may be better off with reflective vests – unlike collars and harnesses with reflective strips, they won’t be covered up by long hair. And it’s always worth thinking about your own clothing when you’re getting ready for an evening walk – you need to be visible in the dark, too!
- Cold and damp: Older dogs and those with less undercoat are especially vulnerable to the cold and damp. It affects their joints and takes some of the fun out of an autumnal walk. In such cases, suitable clothing to protect against colder temperatures is recommended. This clothing should fit well and keep your pet warm, without hindering movement. The length of the walks you take will depend on your dog. For older four-legged friends, several short walks through the autumn woods may be better than one long walk. While you are out, your dog should keep moving and not sit or lie down for any length of time.
- Parasites:
- Ticks are mostly active from March to June and later in August to November. But the mild temperatures that come along with climate change extend the tick activity.1 Dogs that live in areas prone to ticks – such as around woods, water and meadows – must be protected against these blood-sucking parasites. Tick preventatives are an effective way to protect your dog. However, if you prefer not to use these, you should thoroughly examine your dog after each walk and remove any ticks.
- The harmful effects of harvest mites on dogs should also not be underestimated. The larvae of these tiny pests can infect a dog, puncturing its skin and injecting enzymes. This results in liquefied skin cells which are drunk by the larvae.2 This leads to an allergic reaction that causes itchiness, so your dog will constantly scratch and lick the affected area – often the paws (between the toes), armpits, legs, ears or belly.3 This can result in wounds (due to the constant biting and licking), skin irritation and inflammation. To avoid this, dog walkers should keep away from the kind of environments favoured by harvest mites. These include meadows, gardens, forest edges and fields. However, if you don’t want to be restricted to walking the streets during the autumn season, you should ask your vet about gentle but effective preventative measures for your dog.
- Mushrooms: Fungi flourish in the moist soils of early autumn, and eating mushrooms can be lethal for our four-legged friends. To be on the safe side, don’t let your dog eat any mushrooms at all – not even those that are safe for humans. Take special care when playing fetch: if you throw a stick and it lands on the forest floor or in a pile of leaves, your dog could accidentally pick up a mushroom in its mouth. Always check what your dog is eating if it has picked up something while out on a walk.
Source
1. Ticks | ESCCAP UK & Ireland. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://www.esccapuk.org.uk/page/Ticks/7/
2. Harvest Mite Infestations in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals. Vca. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/harvest-mite-infestations-in-dogs
3. Harvest mites in dogs. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/harvest-mites-in-dogs
4. Mushroom Toxicity | VCA Animal Hospitals. Vca. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mushroom-toxicity
5. Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisoning/mushroom-poisoning-in-dogs
2. Harvest Mite Infestations in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals. Vca. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/harvest-mite-infestations-in-dogs
3. Harvest mites in dogs. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/harvest-mites-in-dogs
4. Mushroom Toxicity | VCA Animal Hospitals. Vca. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mushroom-toxicity
5. Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs. [accessed 2024 Sep 17]. https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisoning/mushroom-poisoning-in-dogs