October 12th, 2022 by Sarah Miles

5 potential perils for your pup as the season changes

Autumn brings wonderful seasonal changes and for many people, it really is the nicest time of the year. Dogs tend to love it too as there are new smells, puddles, leaves, and mud – all their favourite things! Now, nobody wants to be a killjoy and stop your beloved pet from having a good time on their walks, but autumn can bring some dangers as well as the good stuff so it’s always worth being prepared.

Here are 5 things that could be dangerous to dogs in the autumn:

1. Fallen Leaves
   The issue: While your dog will no doubt love rustling through piles of crunchy leaves, they could be hiding bacteria and mould that have developed from layers underneath starting to decay, which is obviously not great for your dog to ingest or breathe in. There could also be sharp objects that are hidden from view.
   The solution: Try to keep your dog away from large piles of leaves, especially later in the season as they’ve had more time to rot down.
   
    
2. Anti-freeze
   The issue: You wouldn’t think dogs would have any interest in licking anti-freeze would you but it tastes sweet to a dog so there is a risk at this time of year when it can leak from car radiators onto the road. Obviously, it’s highly toxic.
   The solution: Be vigilant and monitor anything your dog is sniffing at on the roads or in car parks. If they do ingest some, they can present as if drunk (dozy, lethargic, falling over etc) so if this happens, get them to a vet as soon as you can.
    
3. Ticks
   The issue: Ticks are tiny parasites that bite and suck blood. They are most common in the undergrowth of woods, forests, and moors and, while around all year to some degree, infestations increase from August to November. The main problem is that they carry Lyme Disease and that can make your dog very poorly and potentially affect them for the rest of their lives.
   The solution: Flea and tick treatments, such as a monthly spot-on application, will help prevent harm by repelling them and killing ones that do manage to attach. If you find any on your dog (and it’s always worth going over their coat after a walk in these kinds of areas), you can remove them with a tick tool that safely detaches the whole insect. Other methods may leave part of it attached and this can still be harmful.
   
    
4. Mushrooms
   The issue: Wild mushrooms can present the same danger to dogs as they can to humans in that some will be perfectly fine and some highly toxic. While many won’t be tempted by them, some (especially those highly food-motivated dogs that like to eat anything) may try them and they could make them quite ill.
   The solution: If you know your dog is a forager, keep a close eye on them or keep them on the lead in areas where they are common. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to be able to recognise the dangerous ones.
    
5. Conkers
   The issue: Conkers are hard so few dogs may attempt to eat them but many like to throw them around and play with them. If they swallow them, they are toxic and can make them ill plus there is also a risk of them causing a blockage.
   The solution: Discourage your dog from playing with conkers. If they like an object to throw around, make sure you take a ball or frisbee to distract them. You could also consider avoiding areas with horse chestnut trees if you are concerned. If you think that they may have swallowed one, seek veterinary assistance