Looking after your pet in autumn is just as important as it is in the hot, taxing summer months. As the temperatures cool and the leaves start to fall, autumn brings with it a multitude of new things to be more aware when it comes to caring for your pet. Events like Halloween and Bonfire Night can be distressing for animals, and even walking dogs or housing your smaller animals can require more consideration than usual. We’ve compiled a list of tips and things to be mindful of as the colder months truly settle in, to ensure looking after your pet in autumn is as easy as possible.

Preparing for all weather on walks

The changing of the seasons is accompanied by unpredictable weather – looking after your pet in autumn means being prepared for all eventualities. Things can get muddy or wet, so preempt discomfort and mess for your pet by bringing a towel to wipe them down with. Just because it is autumn doesn’t mean there aren’t still sunny, warm days though; ensure you bring enough water to keep your pet hydrated on their walk. If it’s particularly cold, bring a blanket to wrap them up in on the way home.

Damp conditions can also be a breeding ground for lungworm – slugs and snails are more active when it’s wet. Make sure you are vigilant when it comes to stopping your pet from rummaging or drinking from puddles.

If it is threatening to storm, plan accordingly to ensure looking after your pet in autumn is seamless – walk your dog earlier, make sure your cats stay inside, and perhaps bring smaller pets into shelter.

Keeping away from conkers and acorns

Whilst kids and grown-ups alike love collecting conkers in the autumnal months, they are actually toxic to dogs. Conkers contain a chemical called aesculin, which can make dogs very sick. The symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness with discomfort and abdominal pain, lethargy or tiredness, collapse, wobbliness and tremors. Similarly, acorns can cause an upset tummy, and because they are hard and spiky, they can cause damage or a blockage in the stomach – in rare cases, this has led to liver and kidney failure.

Looking after your pet in the autumn can also require brushing up on their recall – by ensuring they are well-versed and aware of commands like “leave it”, or “drop it”, it is easier to avoid them consuming conkers or acorns. An alternative way to take their attention away from the harmful things popping up on walks is by bringing a dog toy out with them – looking after your pet in autumn doesn’t have to mean stopping them from playing and having fun, but it does mean ensuring they do so safely.

Equipping yourself and your pet for darker nights

As we get further into the cooler seasons, the nights draw in sooner, and looking after your pet in the autumn can start to mean adapting to the earlier darkness and changing your routine accordingly. This could mean heading on walks earlier in the day to make sure you still catch some sunlight, or if that’s not doable, investing in reflective gear for you and your pet to ensure visibility and therefore safety. If you have smaller animals living outside like rabbits, you might consider using a torch to check on them in the evenings and ensure they are comfortable and warm.

Keeping pets warm

Much like we would put on more layers on those frostier days, it’s important to make sure your pets stay warm too. In this sense, looking after your pet in autumn can mean investing in coats and proper attire to retain heat, as well as making sure they have a cosy, warm space to sleep away from draughty areas with extra blankets as it gets colder.

Halloween

Halloween can be overwhelming for small animals, and an important aspect of looking after your pet in autumn can be navigating that. It might be wise to head out on a walk with your dog earlier on so they’re not facing crowds of spooky, costumed trick-or-treaters. Keeping chocolate out of the way is advisable, as is being careful with pumpkins. But most important is providing a safe space for pets to retreat where they won’t be easily disturbed by the front door, as this can become agitating.

Bonfire Night

Looking after your pet in autumn is especially vital around Bonfire Night, an event that can be particularly distressing for animals. Dogs are able to hear sounds that are four times further away and in much higher frequencies than we can, which means the loud bangs of fireworks are intolerable and anxiety-inducing.

Cats have similarly sensitive hearing, so likewise can be in a state of stress and fear during firework displays. It is important to create a safe environment for them to shelter in before any fireworks begin and keep them company throughout – stay calm and be normal, and let your pet do what they need, whether that is barking and whining or pacing about or hiding.

If you have rabbits or other pets living outdoors, consider bringing their hutch indoors if there is space. Alternatively, you could turn it so it faces a wall or fence and use blankets or a duvet to stifle the sound of the bangs, making sure there is still ventilation. These measures are small acts that allow your pet to feel more settled and safe during a time that can be quite upsetting for them, which in turn can be upsetting for you.

The shift in seasons can bring new concerns for pets with exposure to a different set of infections due to the weather. Autumn is an ideal time to ensure your pets are fully up to date with their vaccinations. Our veterinarians in our small animal clinics at Jollyes can help you through this process, and offer any other advice and support with this change and further tips for looking after your pet in autumn. For more information, visit: https://eandj.co.uk/small-animal-clinics/