15 Fall Pet Safety Tips This Autumn Season

The days are getting shorter and the weather is starting to get cooler. That means it's the autumn season!

Fall is an ideal time to get outside and enjoy the cool temperatures and stunning scenery with your dog. Hiking and long walks are a lot more fun without the hot summer temperatures.

However, whenever the seasons change, there are certain things you should do to ensure that both you and your dog stay safe and healthy.

Here are 15 fall pet safety tips to follow and ensure your dog is prepared for the cooler fall weather!

RELATED: 11 Reasons Why Dogs Love the Fall Season

15 Fall Pet Safety Tips to Follow

1. Get Paw Hair And Nails Trimmed

You should already be getting your dog’s nails trimmed regularly. However, especially in the fall, your dog’s nails must be cut and neat, as well as their paw and leg hair.

Doing this will prevent snow, water, mud, and other debris from getting trapped in that fur, which can make your dog uncomfortable and dirty, or even cause them injury.

Proper dog paw care is particularly important during cold winter months.

RELATED: How To Trim Dog Nails Without Clipping the Quick

2. Stock Your Fall & Winter-Weather Pet Emergency Kit

Fall is also a great time to overhaul your pet emergency first aid kit. Restock any supplies that are out of date or that you have used but not replaced.

Also, add some cold-weather-specific first aid items, such as a heating pack, a bottle of water, and wipes that will quickly remove salt and de-icer from your dog’s paws.

You'd also want to put some paw balm in there to soothe your dog’s paws. Walking on ice, salt, and other materials that are commonly found on the ground during colder weather can really irritate your dog’s paw pads.

If they are not kept healthy and hydrated, they could dry and crack.

3. Get a Check-up at Your Vet's

When was your dog’s last checkup? If it’s been a while, the fall is the perfect time to visit the vet and get that outstanding checkup.

Get your dog’s annual vaccinations done, too, if needed!

Regular vet checkups should already be a regular occurrence in your household each year, but in the fall, it's particularly important as you prepare for the cold weather season.

4. Get Your Dog Some Waterproof Boots

Dog socks and boots are a must have for the rainy cold weather of fall. They will keep your dog’s legs warm, and they will also protect the dog’s paws from the cold ground, ice, salt, and other irritants.

These waterproof dog boots or socks will also help prevent muddy paws from tracking dirt and mud all over your house when you get back from a walk or a visit to the dog park.

5. Brush Out That Summer Coat

When the seasons change, your dog will start to shed… a lot.

You can make the process easier and faster by grooming your dog regularly to brush out that summer coat and let the dog’s thicker and warmer fall coat come in.

If you don’t have the time to invest in daily brushing, consider taking your dog to a professional groomer and asking them to prepare your dog for the upcoming season! They'll know what to do.

6. Buy Some Cold-Weather Dog Clothes

Dog clothes are more than just fashion accessories. Dogs with short, fine, or thin coats can easily become chilled once the colder weather arrives.

Certain dog sweaters, coats, and socks may be necessary, depending on the breed, if you live in a climate where the weather starts getting cold in early fall.

Fall is also the time to revamp your dog’s wardrobe and start adding some warm winter gear.

RELATED: 6 Types of Small Dog Clothes That Your Pooch Needs

7. Do NOT Stop Using Flea/Tick Preventatives

This is extremely important.

Many dog owners think that after the summer is over, they can stop using flea and tick preventatives because the weather is getting colder, which, in theory, makes it harder for fleas to survive.

On the contrary, fall is actually prime tick season, and ticks can carry diseases that can be deadly to your dog!

Flea and tick preventatives must be taken all year long, and you also need to use them in the fall, especially if you are taking your dog on hikes or camping to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery, and are likely to walk through forest and tall grass.

8. Humidify the House

Once the days get cool and the nights get chilly, it will be time to turn the heat on again in the house, and that can create a really uncomfortable and dry atmosphere for your dog.

Different breathing issues and respiratory problems in dogs are very common during cold months because of the hot and dry air in the house, according to MerckVetManual.

Your dog may start coughing or wheezing due to poor air quality.

Start running a cool mist humidifier to add moisture back into the air and help your dog breathe more comfortably. It will also help you and the other residents of the house.

9. Buy Some New Dog Beds

As the temperature starts to drop, your house will be chilly, and your dog will want to snuggle up in some soft, thick bedding. When was the last time you replaced your dog’s beds and blankets?

Fall is the perfect time to stock up on new warm and cozy dog beds for your dog. Place them in your dog’s favorite spots around the house.

If you have a dog that is a short-haired breed, you might want to consider getting a heated bed for your dog so that your dog will be nice and warm when sleeping.

10. Stock Up On Doggy Treats

Colder weather may prevent many dogs from exercising and become lazier, but for others, keeping up body temperature in cold weather means that your dog will be burning extra calories, which need to be replenished.

If that's your dog, then that makes it the perfect time to start giving your dog more dog treats.

Everyone tends to snack more during the fall and winter, so consider giving your dog some extra treats once the weather starts to cool down.

11. Add Canned Food to Your Dog’s Diet

If you only feed dry kibble, consider adding some canned food to your dog’s diet in the cold weather.

Canned food is rich in moisture, which will help your dog stay hydrated in cold and dry weather.

The extra calories will also help keep your dog at a healthy weight and give your dog calories to burn while staying warm.

RELATED: 5 Homemade Wet Dog Food Recipes

12. Consider Buying a Pet Stroller

Going on walks with your dog in the fall is always fun.

But fall weather can be unpredictable, and storms can come up fast. The cold pavement can also start to affect your dog’s feet after a while.

Consider buying a pet stroller that your dog can ride in during bad weather or when the sidewalks and roads are cold, slippery, or covered in salt.

That way, you and your dog can both enjoy the outdoors without the risk of your dog getting sick or hurting its paws.

13. Include Skin/Coat Supplements

That hot and dry air doesn’t just affect your dog’s respiratory system; it can also affect your dog’s skin and coat!

You should consult with your veterinarian about adding fish oil or other skin and coat supplements to your dog’s diet during the fall and winter months.

The supplements will help keep your dog’s skin from becoming dry and itchy, and keep your dog’s coat in good condition.

You may also want to consider taking your dog to a groomer during the winter to ensure their skin remains healthy and to prevent salt, burrs, or mud from getting lodged in their paws or becoming tangled in their coat.

14. Beware of Antifreeze

Antifreeze kills thousands of dogs annually, and news about dogs being poisoned by antifreeze keeps popping up.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste, so if dogs find any of it in the driveway, on the road, in a parking lot, or on the pavement, they will likely lap it up.

Always be on the lookout for small dark puddles when you have your dog out for a walk, and make sure that you don’t spill any if you’re using it in your vehicle.

If you let your dog outside alone, regularly check the area to be sure there are no antifreeze puddles or spills anywhere that your dog has access to.

15. Choose Dog-Safe Decorations

Fall means Halloween and Halloween decorating! Decorating for Halloween is something that many people take very seriously, but if you're a pet owner, extra precautions must be taken.

Make sure you are putting up dog-safe decorations! Any decor that your dog can eat, swallow, or injure themselves on must be placed out of their reach.

Dogs who eat Halloween decorations could end up with obstructions in their stomach or throat that require surgery, not to mention the paint and coatings that could be toxic!

So have fun decorating, but just be sure that your dog is safe too.

Fall Pet Safety Tips FAQs

Do dogs like having a blanket on them?

Many dogs enjoy the comfort and warmth of a blanket, especially smaller breeds or those with short coats.

It can make them feel secure and cozy. However, not all dogs like it, so it depends on their personality.

RELATED: Do Dogs Need Blankets In Winter?

Fall Pet Safety Tips: Before You Go…

Fall or autumn is a wonderful and enjoyable season to experience, but it's also not without its hazards!

Make sure to spend this season with your dog safely and responsibly with the tips we have discussed above.

Interested to learn more about dogs and autumn? Check out our recommended articles below!

Related Articles

• 20 Possible Autumn Dangers for Dogs
• Dog Allergies More Severe Than Normal This Fall, Veterinarians Say
• 10 Unique Fall Activities with Dogs

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