Fall Into Pet Safety and Care

Every new season comes with its own set of challenges. This Fall, pet owners will need to keep close watch on their pets inside and outside of the home. Here's what they need to know.

School Is Back In Session

The kids are officially back in school; which means that the dog might actually eat homework! More seriously, choking hazards, including glue sticks, pencils, erasers and markers, and sharp objects like scissors and rulers may be scattered around the house. Tuck school supplies in backpacks or away from dog's reach to avoid mishaps. 

Trick-Or-Treat

A spooky holiday is around the corner! Halloween is a fun time of the year to play dress up with a dog. However, make sure dog Halloween costumes are loose-fitting and will not create a stressful situation for pets. If the dog gets nervous around large groups, leave the puppy at home away from people, or secured outside in the fenced in yard until the Halloween party is over. Lastly, make sure  Halloween candy is away from dogs - remember, chocolate makes dogs very sick; and the aluminum wrappers can be choking hazards!

Tick Season Isn't Over

Ticks are a year-long problem across the United States; and they are still active in the fall season thanks to wildlife movement. As we know, ticks carry tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme Disease; and both dogs and humans are at risk for tick diseases.

Hiking and camping are popular fall-time activities, as the temperatures drop; but hiking trails and forests are where ticks like to wander. Tick Removal Tools are valuable for tick disease prevention; and it's important to learn how to remove a tick from dogs.

Grooming Pets

Fallen, crunchy leaves are everywhere; and dogs may play in the pile of leaves. Brush off leaves before pets come inside. Leaves may create a tangled-mess in dog fur and can cause matted hair. Groom dogs and check for ticks that may be hidden underneath the fallen leaves.

Fluctuating Temperatures

Autumn marks the transition between Summer and Winter. This means that temperatures will start in the 60s - 70s degrees Fahrenheit and drop to the 30s - 40s. Make sure dogs have plenty of fresh water and shelter to seek warmth. If snow falls early, don't leave dogs out in the cold for long periods to avoid damage to the dog's foot pads.

Conclusion

Fall is a great season for dogs who spend time both indoors and outdoors. When indoors, keep dogs away from school supplies and left-out candy. While outdoors, keep dogs secured around a high enough fence to block wildlife that may be carrying ticks - another problem this season for people and pets.