Autumn Safety Tips for Pet Parents

Autumn Safety Tips for Pet Parents

 

1. BEWARE OF RODENTICIDES

People tend to use rodenticides more in the colder months as rats and mice start to seek shelter from the chilly temperatures. These poisons are extremely toxic to pets. If you plan to use any this fall, try and keep them out of reach of your pooch or pussycat. 

2. SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Kids often look forward to back-to-school shopping more than they do going back to school. Although they may seem harmless, glue sticks, pencils and markers can cause serious problems if they are ingested. Be sure to keep these items far from your pet's curious reach. 

3. EXERCISE PREP

Just like you, pets need a little bit of recovery time before they jump back into exercising. If your dog took a break from an active schedule due to the summer's sweltering heat, be sure to ease back into fall activities. 

4. JUST SAY NO TO MUSHROOMS

Although 99 percent of mushrooms are fine, 1 percent are highly toxic and can cause life-threatening problems in your dog if they are ingested. Fall and spring are ideal seasons for mushroom growth. Keep an eye out for them and keep them far from your pet's mouth while on a walk. If an accident happens, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

5. EAT MORE, STAY WARM

Food generates body heat, so when pets exercise heavily outdoors, they should be given more food during colder seasons. 

6. GRUMPY SNAKES

Snakes tend to be a little bad-tempered when they are prepping for hibernation, thus increasing the possibility of bites. Before you take your dog on a walk, educate yourself on the kinds of venomous snakes that are in your area. Try to reroute your walk so that you both can stay away from any danger.

7. CAR COOLANT CONCERN

When fall rolls around, people tend to change their car's engine coolant. When doing so, it can be a bit messy, but pet owners should know that ethylene glycol-based coolants are very poisonous and should be cleaned up immediately. If you do plan on changing your coolant, keep your dog inside and away from the car. 

 

This is a re-print from the ASPCA.