Fall Into Safety: Autumn Tips for Happy, Healthy Pets

Fall brings cooler weather, colorful leaves, earlier sunsets, and new routines for pets and people. Whether your season includes cozy nights inside or long walks through crunchy leaves, a few simple precautions can help keep your pet safe, comfortable, and healthy.

Watch for Seasonal Allergies

Pets can experience seasonal allergies just like people. Fall allergens such as mold, pollen, grasses, and leaf debris may cause itching, licking, sneezing, watery eyes, ear irritation, or skin redness. If your pet seems uncomfortable, check in with your veterinarian. They can help determine whether allergies, parasites, skin infection, or another issue may be causing the symptoms and recommend the right treatment.

Be Careful Around Leaf Piles

Leaf piles can hide more than leaves. Sharp sticks, rocks, trash, insects, wildlife, mold, or mushrooms may be tucked underneath. Moldy leaves and decaying plant material can also irritate a pet’s stomach if eaten. Keep an eye on your pet during outdoor play, and avoid letting them jump into or chew through unfamiliar piles of leaves.

Stay Visible on Darker Walks

Shorter days mean more walks happen in low light. Reflective collars, leashes, harnesses, clip-on lights, or light-up accessories can help drivers, cyclists, and other pedestrians see you and your pet. Stick to well-lit routes when possible, and keep pets leashed near roads, parking lots, or busy paths.

Dress for Cooler Weather

Some pets handle cooler temperatures well, while others may need extra warmth. Small dogs, senior pets, very young animals, pets with thin coats, and pets with certain medical conditions may be more sensitive to cold. A well-fitting sweater or jacket can help on chilly walks, but make sure it does not restrict movement, breathing, or bathroom breaks. Wet clothing can make pets colder, so remove damp layers once you’re back inside.

Keep Halloween Safe

Halloween can bring candy, costumes, decorations, candles, noise, and frequent visitors. These changes can be stressful for pets and can create safety risks.

• Keep candy, especially chocolate and anything containing xylitol, out of reach.
• Use battery-powered candles instead of open flames in pumpkins or decorations.
• Keep pets away from the front door if they are anxious or likely to slip outside.
• Skip costumes if your pet seems uncomfortable, or choose a simple bandana or collar instead.

For more details, read our Halloween pet safety guide.

Prepare for Stormy Weather

Fall weather can change quickly, and heavy rain, wind, thunder, or changes in routine may make some pets anxious. Create a quiet space where your pet can rest during storms, with familiar bedding, toys, and water nearby. If your pet has severe noise anxiety, talk with your veterinarian before storm season is in full swing. There may be training strategies, calming tools, or medications that can help.

Update ID Tags and Microchips

Open doors, Halloween visitors, yard work, travel, and changing routines can all increase the chance of a pet slipping away. Make sure your pet’s microchip registration is up-to-date and includes your current phone number and address. This can make it much easier to reunite with your pet if they become lost.

Watch Out for Mushrooms

Rainy fall weather can bring mushrooms into yards, parks, and walking trails. Some mushrooms are harmless, but others can be highly toxic, and it can be difficult to tell the difference by appearance. Do not let your pet eat mushrooms or other unfamiliar plants. If you think your pet may have eaten a mushroom, contact a veterinarian or poison control resource right away.

You can also visit the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants database for more information.

When to Get Help

If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 right away.

If your pet is vomiting, having diarrhea, acting painful, weak, disoriented, having trouble breathing, or showing other sudden concerning symptoms, contact your primary veterinarian if available or go to the nearest emergency animal hospital. DoveLewis is open 24/7 for walk-ins and can be reached at 503-228-7281.

With a little planning, fall can be a safe, cozy, and enjoyable season for pets and their people.