Well fall is upon us, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin (yes, your dog can have some pumpkin)
I love Autumn it has beautiful refreshing colors, great temperatures, it's a a wonderful time to walk our furry friends.
Yes some walk dogs, some walk cats. The pets love this because there are sooo many smells.
Let's remember that Halloween isn’t the only thing to consider this season. Keep these in mind as you enjoy your fall with your furry friend/s outside.
* You want to keep warm because it can get chilly once fall hits. If they spend a lot of time playing in the yard keep a blanket on the porch or stoop, and don’t leave him out for extended periods of time in the late evenings and early mornings. There are many well-equipped breeds that love the cooler weather - like St. Bernard, Husky, Elkhound just to name a few, but others – like Chihuahuas, Greyhounds, Salukis, just groomed or shaved – are not. So you might have to transition slowly from the heat of summer to the cooler weather.
* In the fall is a time when we see different mushrooms or funguses popping up in grass, mulch or around trees in our yard. Most of these fungi are safe to eat, (unless you are trained on fungi I wouldn't eat them) others are highly toxic to your pet. Don't risk it. Keep an eye on your dog and don't let them eat them, when you see them in your yard, remove them and dispose of them.
* When out on a walk watch out for wild animals, like skunks, snakes, raccoons, bears (we have had some sightings in the area) they are out getting ready for hibernation and their winter snooze.
* I dislike coming home from work in the dark, but that's all part of fall, the days get shorter so it only makes sense to plan walks in the dark. Make sure you get some reflective gear for you and your dog. There are flashing collars, vests even just a flashlight and please don't wear dark clothes.
* If you have an older dog and he/she has problems with arthritis or other joint problems when the temperature drops. Make sure you keep an eye out for signs like limping or a reluctance to exercise. Check with your veterinarian sometimes it's just an addition of a glucosamine supplement to help with joint inflammation.
* Fall doesn't mean no ticks/fleas, sometime we have a surge of ticks because of the damp environment with the leaves, so exercise caution when playing in the leaves. As a side note many species of ticks can survice well into winter. So it's always a good thing to check your pets even in the winter if we have a "warm up".
* Don’t forget about your dog’s paws over the next few months. Ice, snow, and salt are just some things your dog’s feet will face. Year-round protection is key to keeping his sensitive pads in good condition. Also check between the toes for ticks. There are many products that keep your pets feet safe from boots, to salves.
* With the fresh air, and pets are livelier many pet will eat more in the fall/winter. Talk with your Vet or a Nutrition Advisor to see if your dog needs more calories to account for the extra energy or is he/she fine with the amount of food they are getting.
* Keeping your pets save is a plus for you and them - daily check the yard for mushroom/fungi - clean up any rotten fruit that has fallen from the trees. If you have bare sticks or branchs that might be a danger, trim and get rid of them to avoid impaling them as they run around the yard. Clean up and put away the anti-freeze that has pooled or is anywhere your pets can get. Keep these tip in the back of your mind and get out and enjoy nature this season.
Paula Gorman - Pet Supplies 'N' More store manager.