Keep Your Pet Warm

Depending on where you are located, you may find that the temperature drops rapidly during the fall season. Nevertheless, bright sunshine can often make it appear warmer than it really is. Pets feel the cold too, so it’s important to take steps to keep your pet’s body temperature stable and comfortable. They may have spent a long time outside during the summer, but they’ll need to be indoors more now, particularly in the early morning and late evenings. Let their winter coat grow back too as this will provide natural insulation.

Make sure your pet is seen

Shorter days mean that you and your pet will be spending more hours in darkness than you’ve been used to for a while. It’s harder to be seen in the dark, particularly if you are wearing darker-colored clothing or your pet has a black, brown, or grey coat. Invest in a reflective collar and leash for them, and similar gear for yourself and stay safe when you are out at night.

Stay Up To Date With Preventative Care

Parasites don’t go away because the temperatures drop. In fact, ticks can survive all year round meaning that consistent preventative care is essential if you are to keep your pet safe from their bites and the diseases that they carry. Fallen leaves present a perfect playground for pets and an ideal location for ticks to hide, so keep them up to date with their preventatives and check them thoroughly for ticks whenever they come inside.

Be Careful With Holiday Treats

Fall also provides us with the opportunity to indulge in some delicious treats that we might not enjoy at other times of the year. Nevertheless, it’s important to take care when eating these around our precious pets since many can’t safely be shared with our animals. Pumpkin is a fall staple, but many store-bought pies contain artificial sweeteners and other ingredients that can be toxic to pets, while corn on the cob can cause gastrointestinal injury or obstruction if gobbled too quickly. Meanwhile, Halloween candies often contain the artificial sweetener xylitol which can be fatal even in small doses. Stick with your pet’s usual diet and keep the holiday treats for the humans.

Protect Their Paws

Ice and snow aren’t necessarily reserved for winter, and it’s important to protect your pet’s sensitive paws from the harshness of extreme cold. Cold weather, ice, and salt used to melt ice and snow can cause your dog’s paw pads to dry out and crack, and ice crystals can cling to long hairs between their toes and cause pain and skin damage. Think about protecting your pet’s paws use booties which are designed to keep them safe, warm, and provide enough grip for them to move around safely.

Halloween Horrors

Halloween might be lots of fun for humans, but many pets find the holiday stressful. People in strange costumes and unusual sights, sounds, and smells can contribute to one scared or anxious furbaby. Decorations pose their own risks, from potential tangles in cobwebs to precarious open flames, while opening the door frequently to visitors could give your pet the opportunity to escape. Be mindful of the potential dangers and take steps to keep them safe!

Get Your Pet Microchipped

If you and your pet do become separated, perhaps as a result of them escaping or becoming lost when on a walk in the dark, you are more likely to be reunited with them if they are microchipped. Microchipping is the most effective method of attaching your information to your pet so that you can be contacted if they are found. Unlike collars and tags which can fall off or be removed, microchips are permanent and can’t be tampered with. If your pet isn’t chipped already, ask your vet about the procedure today. If they are chipped, make sure that your details are up to date.

Make Holiday Arrangements Now

If you will be relying on onboarding, pet sitting, or doggy daycare at any point during the fall or winter holidays, it’s worthwhile securing your pet’s spaces now. Many facilities and services get booked up well in advance, and since it is in your pet’s best interests to make sure that they are left in the capable hands of a professional, it’s important to plan ahead so that you aren’t left with less desirable options for their care.

Should indoor-only pets receive flea and tick preventatives?

While indoor-only pets have a lower risk of encountering fleas and ticks compared to pets that spend time outdoors, it is still possible for them to be exposed to these pests. Therefore, it is generally recommended to provide indoor pets with flea and tick preventatives. Indoor cats can become infected  with fleas by potting soil from indoor plants, other pets (like dogs) that go in and out, and your shoes/clothing from walking.

Remember – the best defense against fleas, ticks and the illnesses they bring is prevention. Make sure your pet remains on preventatives year-round.