The Pet Doctor

5 Autumn Dangers For Dogs

The autumn season brings cooler weather, colorful leaves, and Halloween. Unfortunately, it can also present several dangers for your beloved furry family member. It is important to keep a watchful eye on your pooch during fall to keep it healthy and safe.

Here are several autumn dangers for dogs.

Fleas

It is a common myth that fleas disappear once fall comes around. The truth is that fleas can stick around until the temperatures get below freezing. Some pet owners stop giving their dogs flea prevention treatments once the leaves start to fall, resulting in itchy skin. To maintain your dog's comfort, continue to apply a flea prevention product to its skin throughout the fall season.

Antifreeze

In the fall, many people prepare their vehicles for the winter with antifreeze. Dogs like the taste of antifreeze and may try to lick it if it is on the ground. Unfortunately, antifreeze contains harmful chemicals that can be deadly to dogs. To prevent this, always be on the lookout for antifreeze spills and clean them up immediately.

Halloween Candy

Halloween is one of the most exciting holidays for children. When your children come home from trick-or-treating, make sure they keep their candy far away from your dog. Certain candies, including chocolates, are toxic to dogs and can cause severe side effects, including diarrhea, vomiting, and even seizures.

Cold Weather

In some parts of the country, fall brings very cold weather. Smaller dogs and those with shorter coats may suffer from frostbite or hypothermia if they are outdoors too long. If you want to take your dog for a walk or let it play in the yard, it may need a sweater or jacket to stay warm. If your dog is shivering, whining, or lifts its paws off the ground, it is time to take it inside immediately.

Halloween Costumes

Many kids and adults love to dress up in a costume for Halloween. If you have a dog, however, you have to be a little more careful when you dress up. Look for fabric or strings that may get loose and clean them up right away, as they can pose a choking hazard for dogs. 

As you can see, there are a lot of autumn hazards for dogs that you need to be aware of. If your dog does get hurt or sick from one of these dangers, take it to a veterinarian specialist as soon as possible.


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