Each season, Mother Nature throws a different slate of challenges at you and your pup, so it is always wise to take a moment to prepare yourself for the things to come. With fall officially underway, it is time to gather the necessary gear and familiarize yourself with some of the ways the change in season will affect your pet.
Follow to nine tips below to help ensure you and your pooch enjoy a lovely autumn this year:
1. Get ready for wet weather.
Autumn brings heavy rains with it for some portions of the country, and you’ll want to be prepared for taking your dog out in such damp weather. Some dogs don’t seem to mind getting wet during their walks, but others do – some dogs are even content to sit around with a full bladder, rather than venture out in the rain.
Even if you have a dog that loves playing in the rain, you’ll still have to deal with a wet, dirty pooch when you go back inside. But with some quality raingear, you can help keep your pup dry and protect your home from his wet paws and fur. There are a variety of different products made to help keep dogs dry, but the two basic things you’ll want to consider include some type of dog rain coat and a good set of dog booties.
Rain coats vary in the amount of coverage they provide, with some covering your dog’s entire torso (down to the tail base) and head, while others only provide a bit of shoulder and upper back coverage. You’ll want to go with the former style for dogs who hate getting wet, but the latter style is usually sufficient for short walks with dogs who aren’t terribly troubled by a bit of rain.
Booties not only help keep your dog’s feet clean and dry during your walks, but they also protect your home too. Simply take them off when you get back home and you can let your (relatively) dry pooch run on inside and get comfy on the couch.
2. Prepare to battle chilly temperatures.
You’ll want to make sure your pooch is ready for the chilly air that will start to appear as autumn sets in. The easiest way to make sure your dog stays warm is by providing him with a winter jacket or vest. Just make sure that you select one that will work with your dog’s harness or collar.
It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the signs that may indicate your dog is getting dangerously cold. Some of the most common symptoms include prolonged shivering, lethargy and muscle stiffness. Some dogs may also exhibit mild mental decline when cold, so if your dog doesn’t seem to be following commands as well as he normally does or his behavior changes in other ways, get him back inside, dry him off, and warm him up as quickly as possible.
Of course, cold temperatures affect dogs in different ways depending on their size, breed and coat length. In general, larger dogs tolerate cold temperatures better than smaller dogs do, and long coats provide more insulation than short coats do.
So, while you may not need a vest for your husky or malamute, your Rhodesian ridgeback or Jack Russel will probably appreciate the additional warmth they provide.
3. Be aware of wildlife.
By the end of the summer, you and your pooch have undoubtedly grown used to the many bugs and critters encountered on a typical walk. But while some animals become less common as fall approaches, with many preparing to hunker down for the winter, other animals actually become more abundant and active.
Squirrels, chipmunks and their relatives often appear on every tree and park bench during the fall, as they begin collecting and storing nuts and seeds. These kinds of critters don’t represent a real threat to your dog, but because these animals often make dogs crazy, you’ll want to be aware of them so that you aren’t surprised when your dog lurches off the sidewalk in an attempt to catch one!
Some other animals become more common because their populations have grown over the summer. For example, beehives and wasp nests often reach their maximum population density in the fall. Fire ants also represent a serious concern in the fall, as their mounds often reach gigantic sizes by this time of year. So, be sure to keep an eye out for these stinging insects when you’re out and about with your pooch.
Snakes are often more common in the fall than they are in the summer, thanks to the more hospitable temperatures. Additionally, many snake species are born or hatch in the fall, which means the babies often turn up with surprising frequency. The threat represented by snakes is relatively small, but because bites can be very serious, you’ll want to be vigilant and learn what to do if your dog is bitten.
4. Ensure your dog is visible.
In addition to making your dog wet, rainy, cloudy, and foggy weather can also make your dog less visible on walks. Fortunately, there are a variety of products available to counteract this problem and help keep your dog safer.
Many rain coats feature reflective patches or stitching, and you can also find leashes and collars that have lights or reflective strips. Reflective booties are one of the best solutions, as they provide four different places that may catch and reflect the light emitted by cars and street lamps.
Don’t forget to keep your own safety in mind too. Consider wearing a reflective jacket (similar to the style many runners and bicyclists wear) or hat, and carry a flashlight with you when you walk. Just keep it pointed down while walking –your natural stride will cause it to move back and forth, which will help make it easier for motorists to spot you in dim light.
5. Prepare to alter your schedule.
The changes that occur in the fall aren’t limited to the weather: There are a number of cultural and societal changes that happen during this time of year too. For example, school starts back up for most kids and families have returned from their summer vacations. This means that your summer walking route may become much more crowded during the fall.
This may not cause any problems for some dogs (your pooch may even enjoy greeting the kids at the bus stop), but others may find all of the commotion distracting or unsettling. You may need to alter the timing of your walk or find a different route to take. This is especially true for those with dogs who struggle to behave in crowded or chaotic situations.
You’ll also want to consider the time change that typically occurs in late fall (November 5th for the year 2017). This won’t cause too many problems for your morning walk, but you’ll find that it is a lot darker during your afternoon walk than it has been all summer.
6. Don’t forget to keep your pup hydrated.
Just because the weather is cooling off doesn’t mean your dog doesn’t still need plenty of drinking water – especially during and after vigorous exercise. This is especially important for owners living in areas with crisp, dry fall weather, which will accelerate the rate at which your pup loses water.
Just be sure to give your dog a chance to drink some water every 20 to 30 minutes, or more often, if you think it is necessary. Most modern dog parks have canine-friendly water fountains, but it is wise to bring along a backup water supply – these types of fountains always seem to be broken when you need them most.
Keep a liter of bottled water in your car or backpack, and you’ll be prepared for just these types of circumstances. You may also want to consider a dog-friendly water bottle, designed specifically for canine use!
7. Stay on top of your pup’s flea & tick treatment.
Most owners associate summer with flea and tick season, and it’s true that your dog is more susceptible to pest problems with more romps outdoors in the warm weather.
However, don’t think that just because the weather is cooling down that you can skip your dog’s flea and tick treatment! You need to keep up with your pet’s flea treatment during the autumn, as there are generally still plenty of fleas lurking in the grass and bushes.
In fact, you could find yourself battling fleas and ticks all winter long if you slack off on your pup’s medicine. Fleas will jump on your dog while he is walking outside, before riding him back to your home. They will then jump off and lay eggs on his bed as well as the cracks and crannies of your home.
Ticks are tough buggers as well – they don’t die off in the winter, so owners can’t afford lag on treatment. Lyme disease is a frightening prospect no matter what the season, so don’t take any chances!
8. Be sure your dog has a warm and cozy place to sleep.
In many locations, the nighttime temperatures begin to drop as fall progresses – even if the days remain relatively warm. Accordingly, you’ll want to make sure your dog has a warm place to sleep at night. This is particularly important for older dogs or those who are suffering from hip, knee, back or other joint problems.
If your dog sleeps outside at night, you’ll need to be sure to provide him with some type of house to shield him from the rain and wind, as well as a thick bed that is suitable for outdoor use. Depending on how low the temperatures drop in your area, you may even need to provide a heat source, such as a heated blanket or a warming lamp, to ensure your dog remains comfortable during the cool nights of autumn.
Indoor dogs may enjoy more comfort than those living outdoors, but they’ll still appreciate a nice warm bed, which will keep them off the cold – and often drafty – floor. Of course, you could always let them sleep in the bed with you — many people actually report sleeping better when their pet is on the bed.
9. Be mindful of fallen leaves.
Leaf change is one of the most iconic and beautiful aspects of the autumn, but it actually presents a few safety concerns for dogs and their owners. For example, trees occasionally shed so quickly that the ground becomes blanketed in a thick layer of colorful leaves. These leaves can cover or obscure hazards like thorns, pointy sticks or jagged rocks, so you don’t want to let Fido romp around in leaf piles with reckless abandon (letting your dog jump into a leaf pile you’ve constructed yourself, however, is a blast and relatively safe).
Leaf drop can also present another potential hazard: It makes it more difficult to recognize poison ivy and similar plants. While good pet owners should familiarize themselves with the appearance of poison ivy and its relatives, few are able to identify these plants once they’ve lost their leaves.
However, all portions of these plants are capable of causing a rash, so you’ll still need to take care to prevent your dog from contacting them. Practically speaking, this means simply keeping your dog away from unidentified plants – no matter how “dead” they look.
Note that dogs rarely develop poison ivy rashes, but they frequently find themselves coated in the plant’s sap (which contains the itch-inducing chemical urushiol). If you then pet or snuggle with your dog, you can end up with the rash yourself.
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Autumn isn’t the most challenging season of the year for most dogs and their owners, but you’ll both enjoy the season more if you are prepared for it. What types of things do you like to do to get your pup ready for the fall?
About The Author: Meg Marrs is the Senior Editor at K9 of Mine. When she’s not cuddling with pups at the dog park, Meg can be found lounging in a papasan chair with a good book.