Colder, darker weather is starting to creep in now that autumn is upon us and with that comes a number of safety elements to consider for our pets. Autumn can be a beautiful season, with the falling leaves and pretty colours filling the fields, but it can also bring a number of dangers to our pets that we must think about and be aware of.

Continue reading for some top tips on how to keep your pet safe and sound whilst still enjoying the autumn.

Health-Related Issues

Whilst our pets are exposed to health-related issues all year round, the autumn can bring certain issues that you need to be aware of. The main thing to be cautious of is harvest mites. For those who aren’t aware, harvest mites are a problematic mite that lives in dense areas such as your grass, bushes, hedges and piles of leaves, which are always a dog’s paradise during the autumn. You’ll find that these pesky mites are likely to be most active during the day, so avoid walking your dog near these areas during those periods if possible. Whilst there aren’t actually any specific treatments that you can purchase to prevent harvest mites, you can use anti-flea treatments on your dog to help tackle them and prevent them from nesting. MD Ollie Robilliard from online retailer Petwell says “We often find that pet owners focus on treating fleas and ticks in the summer, but it’s important to have your pet covered all year around”.

There are then the seasonal issues to think about that can cause health problems with your pet. Autumn sees a lot of excitement in the run up to winter, with Halloween and bonfire night taking place throughout this season. These can be particularly stressful, scary times for our pets, as they aren’t used to the louder noises and strange sights that come with these festivities. To keep your pet safe and calm on both Halloween and bonfire night, try to walk them during quieter periods, rather than when everyone is out and about dressed up and making lots of noise in the street. Similarly, you want your pet to feel safe and relaxed at home too, so you may find that keeping the TV on louder than normal in the living room may help to drown out the fireworks and keep your pet from panicking from the loud bangs.

Seasonal Poisons

It’s no secret that Halloween brings in a lot of sugar, whether that’s chocolates from trick or treating or the bag of sweets ready for the Halloween party, but whilst these are great for humans to enjoy, they are very dangerous for our pets. The last thing you want over the Halloween period is to be taking an emergency trip to the vets, which can be a likely event if sweets or chocolate are left out in the reach of cats and dogs. Both chocolate and sugars can be poisonous to pets, so it’s extremely important to keep them in secure boxes out of reach from wandering paws and adventurous noses. You can find a selection of great dog-friendly Halloween treats from retailers such as Rosewood Pet, so you can still spoil your pet during the Halloween period without running the risk of them becoming unwell.

Keeping Warm & Safe

Dark mornings and even darker nights can make it hard to see your playful pup in the field, or your feline friend in the garden, so it’s time to invest in some warm and safe essentials. From flashing colours to reflective coats and leads, you can find some great products to ensure your pet is safe whenever outside in the dark. You can also find some great waterproof coats for your dog which is perfect for wintery walkies, when the wet weather has set in and you want them to stay dry and warm.

Published: 2019-09-29 08:46:42