As the leaves turn golden and the air gets that deliciously crisp bite, you’re probably looking forward to all the coziness fall brings. But we can’t forget that fall brings several potential seasonal pet hazards with it, too. The team at Oroville Animal Health Center wants to help your furry family members stay safe with these 3 practical fall pet safety tips.
3 Autumn Pet Care Tips
Ready to relax and enjoy the cooler weather? With these fall health tips for pets, you and your beloved animal companions can enjoy a safer fall season.
1. Watch Out for Toxic Autumn Plants for Pets
Acorns, chrysanthemums, and red maples, oh my! Fall abounds with gorgeous plants, but some of them can be dangerous for pets. For example, those chrysanthemums in your fall decorations can cause stomach upset if your dog or cat decides to nibble on them. Acorns are another autumn staple, but they can be harmful if ingested—even leading to serious problems like kidney damage.
If you have horses, keep them away from the wilted leaves of a maple tree, which can cause serious damage to your pawsome pals.
Avoid using toxic plants in your autumn décor and choose safer plants, like fountain grass, asters, and orange pansies instead.
2. Keep Halloween Pet Safety in Mind
Halloween might be a blast for you and any kids in your life, but it can be a bit overwhelming for pets. The abundance of candy, especially chocolate, is a big no-no for dogs and cats, so make sure to store treats out of reach.
Costumes can be cute, but they can also be uncomfortable or even dangerous if they’re too tight or have small parts that your pet could swallow. If your pet gets anxious with the doorbell constantly ringing or seeing people in strange costumes, set them up in a quiet, safe room away from the action.
Make sure you store all the Halloween candy you don’t gobble up immediately away from your pet, too.
3. Be Aware of Seasonal Hazards
With fall comes the increased use of antifreeze as people get their vehicles ready for winter storage. Unfortunately, antifreeze is incredibly toxic to pets. Even a small amount of the deceptively sweet stuff can be deadly. Clean up any spills immediately and store containers safely locked away from any kids and pets in your household.
Rodenticides are another fall hazard—they’re often used to combat the rise in creatures seeking comfort indoors as the weather cools down. These substances can be highly toxic for pets, too. Consider pet-friendly alternatives if you can—and store all harmful fall chemicals out of reach.
Pet Safety in Fall
Fall pet wellness is a key part of seasonal preparation, too. Visit your veterinarian to make sure your dog or cat is up-to-date on all vaccinations, flea and tick medications, and wellness checks. The team at Oroville Animal Health Center can help! Reach out to us at 1-530-533-7513 to schedule an appointment with our caring team.