Pet Care In Autumn: 5 Tips For Pet Owners

Summer is over. Yet, that doesn’t mean that our time outdoors with our furry animals officially ends too. Autumn is a wonderful season to take our pets out, have them romp on golden leaves, enjoy a nice weather, and soak in some midday sunshine.

However, autumn poses health and safety risks for your pets too. Here are five tips to keep them healthy and happy throughout the season!

Ensure their warmth and comfort

As the days get cooler, you want to keep your furry animals warm and comfortable. Depending on where you live, there can be a little snow during the fall season. Fortunately, it’s easy to protect your pet from cold. It’s best to dress him warmly.

A sweater or coat is really helpful especially if you’re going out. Bumping up his intake of fat and protein is essential too as these foods help generate heat in your pet’s body.

Keep them safe from deadly pest control products

Just as your pets seek warmth and comfort, so do mice, rats and other rodents! These little, scary uninvited guests will try to find refuge in your home and it’s important to take steps to control them.

The bad news is many pest control products are toxic and direct ingestion by your pet can be lethal. Learn about the warning signs of toxin ingestion in your pet. In dogs, it could cause vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Ask your veterinarian about the pest control methods that are safe for your pets.

Regular grooming is essential

As fall temperature hits, expect additional growth in your pet’s fur. This increase in hair can easily hide sores, tumors, and other health issues. Thus, pet grooming is especially important during fall. Allergies are common this season too, especially among dogs.

Coughing, watery eyes, and sneezing are some of the symptoms to watch out. Your vet can prescribe antihistamines and other medications to address various kinds of allergy and make your pets feel more comfortable.

Proper grooming during the season can also help prevent the onset of skin allergies. Bathe them regularly with pet shampoo and warm water. Using pet dryers is very helpful because pet hair requires more time to dry than human hair. Dogs, for instance, can have 1,000 to 6,000 hairs per square inch.

Keep an eye against parasites

Parasites are a year-round problem. While the colorful foliage makes a beautiful playground for your pets, those piles of the leaf can also be a perfect hideout for fleas. Meanwhile, ticks love to climb tall grasses and trees. What’s the best way to deal with tick and flea infestation? Ticks are particularly more dangerous because they spread Lyme disease. Fortunately, there are simple ways to deal with these nuisances. Start by clearing your outdoor area.

Rake up fallen leaves and dispose of them properly. Mow your lawn regularly and trim tree branches so they don’t get in the way of walking areas. If your pet eats and sleeps outside the house, regularly clean and wash his sleeping and feeding areas. If you suspect heavy parasite infestation in your pets, consult your veterinarian right away.

Give them nourishment and adequate exercise

To keep your pets healthy throughout the season, you basically want to strengthen their immunity. And there’s no better way to do this than to give them proper care, nourishment, and more importantly – adequate exercise. You might be a lot busier now that your kids are back to school. But your furry pets will appreciate being given time to play, walk and get active.

However, since it’s a little colder now, you want to go for short yet frequent walks to protect your pet from weather-related risks. Furthermore, remember to clean your pet’s feet after an outdoor adventure to avoid the risk of environmental toxins.

During fall, people use a lot of fungicides, herbicides, antifreeze products, and fertilizers which can all be harmful to your pets.  When it comes to their food intake, watch out for potential hazards like chocolates, raisins, and grapes.

It’s during colder seasons when most people ramp up on their intake of sweets and desserts so always keep an eye to what your pets eat. Wild, poisonous mushrooms could be thriving anywhere too, from forest floors to your backyard. Ingestion of these toxic mushrooms by your pet can be deadly and urgent medical attention is required.

The fall can be a wonderful time for you and your pet to bond. There’s nothing like a crisp autumn breeze and a beautiful, colorful foliage which all call for fun adventures and playtime! However, there are some health and safety risks for your pets that you should also watch out for. By considering these tips and suggestions, you can keep your pets safe and healthy, and help them enjoy this beautiful season to the fullest!