12 Surprising Autumn Dangers for Dogs Every Dog Parent Should Know
It’s hard to believe that the dog days of summer are nearly over, and the autumn season is just around the corner. Before we make plans to enjoy the cooler weather and beautiful fall colours, there are a number of surprising autumn dangers for dogs that every dog parent should be aware of!
The cooler temperatures create the perfect environment for outdoor play with our dogs.
Soon, our social media feeds will be flooded with discussion of Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans.
Whether we’re taking longer walks, hiking our local trails, playing fetch for hours or sharing a laugh as we jump in large piles of leaves, it’s sure to be a good time.
Cozy sweaters, colourful leaves, and pumpkin spice EVERYTHING!
There is, however, one topic that is often overlooked – the many dangers that are lurking throughout the season for our dogs.
Learn what to watch for so that you can keep your dog safe and healthy this season.
Check Out These 12 Surprising Autumn Dangers for Dogs That Every Dog Parent Should Know!
#1 – Antifreeze
Antifreeze is a regular part of life as you prepare for the colder temperatures ahead.
However, it is HIGHLY toxic. It only takes a few licks of the sweet-smelling substance to kill a smaller dog.
Keep antifreeze stored up and out of your dog’s reach
It is also important to consider other potential places that he/she may find it.
This includes your neighbour’s driveway, the parking lot at your favourite dog park, or anywhere that runoff may have contaminated puddles or streams.
#2 – Mushrooms
The fall season creates the ideal environment for the growth of mushrooms and fungus.
There are a wide variety of different mushrooms that grow in our area, ranging from completely harmless to dangerously toxic.
Often hidden beneath piles of damp leaves, these tasty little morsels may be tempting.
It’s difficult to identify which mushrooms are safe for consumption, and which aren’t.
I promise, your dog isn’t taking the time to figure it out!
Supervise your dog carefully anytime they are outside to ensure they aren’t eating something that they shouldn’t.
This includes hiking trails, local parks and even your own back yard.
#3 – Acorns
There are a number of symbols that we associate with the autumn season, including brightly coloured leaves, stalks of wheat and acorns.
What many dog owners don’t realize is that acorns can be dangerous!
Not only can they cause an intestinal blockage if ingested, they are also toxic with the potential to cause damage to both the liver and kidneys.
Signs that your dog may have consumed acorns include lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
The best defense is regular supervision any time that your dog is outdoors.
#4 – Fleas and Ticks
Most people associate fleas and ticks with the spring and the arrival of warmer weather.
What they don’t realize is that the fall is actually peak season for flea infestations.
Stay on top of your flea and tick preventatives and always check your dog over for ticks after time spent outdoors.
Related: ‘Tick Prevention for Dogs: How to Keep Your Family Safe this Tick Season‘
#5 – Shorter Days, Longer Nights
There are additional factors to consider as the nights get longer.
With the change in sunlight, you are likely going to find yourself heading out for a walk after the sun goes down.
This puts both you and your dog at risk unless you’re adequately prepared.
Consider dressing in light coloured, reflective clothing to make yourself easier to see.
Another great option (one that we use with our dogs) is to purchase an LED collar and/or leash for nighttime walks.
This will also make your dog easier to see if they are out in your yard or happen to break loose.
#6 – Glow Sticks
This risk isn’t limited to the fall season; however, the arrival of Halloween often causes a spike in glow stick use.
The substance that is used within glow sticks includes chemicals that can cause a lot of discomfort for your dog if ingested.
Signs of exposure include:
- Irritated Gums
- Excessive Drooling/Dribbling
- Frothing and Foaming at the Mouth
- Stomach Pain
- Vomiting
While this substance can make your dog sick, it doesn’t generally cause any serious, long-term problems.
#7 – Mothballs
As the temperatures drop, many people will be making the wardrobe transformation, packing away warmer weather clothes in favour of comfy sweaters and scarves.
As you unpack those sweaters, take note of any mothballs that were used to avoid damage.
Mothballs contain chemicals that are highly toxic to dogs if ingested, associated with risks like liver or kidney damage.
#8 – Rodent Poisons
As the cooler temperatures set in, rodents are seeking warmer places including garages, barns and homes.
(I’m not going to get into the ‘kill or don’t kill’ debate as it pertains to rodent control, that’s for another conversation.)
What you do need to consider is that, regardless of your personal beliefs, there are many others that will be using rodent poisons to keep their home rodent-free…
If you’re out on a walk with your dog, don’t allow him/her out of your sight. For dogs that tend to wander, keep your dog on leash.
Remember, these poisons are designed to entice animals and cause harm!
Related: ‘6 Phone Numbers Every Pet Owner Should Have On Hand‘
#9 – Seasonal Canine Illness
There is little known about Seasonal Canine Illness, however, I can’t discuss autumn dangers for dogs without mentioning it!
The limited data available to date shows that it is typically experienced during the fall season.
Symptoms generally start 1-3 days after dogs have spent time in a wooded area.
There is no known cause to date.
The condition often starts with subtle signs such as vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite or lethargy.
If left untreated, this can then escalate to rashes, high temperatures, or muscle tremors.
Treatment is highly effective if you act quickly, with many dogs recovering after just one week.
#10 – Compost
If you’re an avid gardener, then you know that the fall season is a time when finished compost is added to the soil in preparation for the coming year.
The items that you have tossed in the compost over the year may continue to pose a threat.
Dogs are attracted to the smell of compost, which may tempt your dog to chow down on your fresh garden soil.
However, your compost may contain choking hazards (material that didn’t fully compost), mold spores, or dangerous toxins that can make your dog incredibly sick.
Mycotoxin poisoning from ingesting mold spores, for example, can cause muscle tremors, seizures, and even death.
#11 – Seasonal Allergies
Often seen as nothing more than a minor nuisance, allergies can cause significant discomfort in more extreme cases.
The secret to managing allergies is to act offensively. This means staying ahead of the struggle!
Has your dog never suffered from allergies before? That doesn’t mean you’re in the clear!
Seasonal allergies can develop over time.
Keep an eye open for any signs that your dog may experience any signs or symptoms, including:
- Runny Nose
- Ear Infections (Smelly or Dirty Ears)
- Excessive Scratching or Licking
- Watery Eyes
- Itchy, Flaky Skin
- Respiratory Congestion
- Sneezing
- Head-Shaking
- Hair Loss
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
#12 – Traditional Fall Foods
One reason that many of us LOVE the fall season is the foods that are regularly associated with this time of year.
This includes Halloween sweets, apples (including apple baked goods and apple cider), hot chocolate, and more.
However, a number of these products, if ingested by our pups, are highly toxic.
Prevent your dog from consuming apple seeds, chocolate, grapes, raisins, and high-fat foods like turkey skin, dark meat, gravy, and ham.
If you are interested in sharing a seasonal treat with your dog, consider using a nutritious seasonal option like pumpkin.
If you believe that your dog has ingested any of the toxins listed above, contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.
Share this post to warn other dog owners about these surprising autumn dangers for dogs!
OMG, I am so happy I stummbeled onto this post.I am a relatively new dog mom, and have a super energetic puppy on my hands who just lovessss to smell and taste EVERYTHING. There are a few things mentioned here I did not think to look into. Thanks so much for detailing all these factors here,
Congratulations on the pup! They make our lives interesting, don’t they? lol
There are a lot of items that are dangerous for dogs outside. My two cats are indoor only, but I am very observant of anything that may come inside from my clothing or shoes.
That’s another great point to make! Many of these items can accidentally be carried into the house without realizing it – but they are still dangerous at that point!
I didn’t know how much I needed this! First fall with my dog. Thank you 🙂
Enjoy! It’s a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the weather with our pups!
Wow! What a great post! As I am having a dog only ~3 months and this will be our first autumn, all the informatin was really useful! Many things surprised me and made me think twice! A big thank you for caring and doing a good job! This is a blog, that every pet-owner need to know about! 🙂
Thank you very much! Congratulations on your first autumn with your pup. It’s a lot of fun playing in the leaves and enjoying the cool weather together.
Thank you for sharing this important information about dog safety. This is a really helpful post!
Lauren | http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
Thank you! They mean so much to us. Right? It’s important to do what we can to keep them safe.
This was a great post…I have seen my dog chew on acorns before but he would always spit them out when he realizes they are hard and not really food but after reading your post I am not letting him even sniff those acorns again lol
Our girl used to do that and I thought nothing of it in the past, until I learned the risks from my vet. Now I’m much more aware of them when we’re out.
I knew I had to read this from the title. My puppy gets into everything so this is a great list of stuff to try to keep away from him as best as possible. Thanks so much for the important information.
My one pup is notorious about getting into anything and everything too – and she’s 12! Lol I know how hard we have to try to stay on top of it.
I had no idea about acorns! Very informative post 🙂
I think that’s the item on the list that is most surprising to the majority of pet owners out there.
Great post! Our dogs definitely have seasonal allergies.
Our girl Dav struggles a lot with allergies. We’ve learned a lot of tips and tricks when it comes to managing them.
I wouldn’t have thought about a lot of these, but they make sense. Stay safe!
Thank you!
I have to admit that I wasn’t aware of the half of these! I’m very careful what I allow near my two cats or what I allow them to eat, but something like glowsticks would never have crossed my mind!
Very helpful information Britt! I’ll definitely be sharing this.
Thank you! There are a few of these that I’ll admit I wasn’t aware of for years as a pet owner. I’m just lucky that I haven’t run into any problems.
Ah this post is essential for puppy parents this season!! I honestly had no idea about acorns being harmful for dogs, thanks so much for sharing this post!
That was one of the points that I learned more recently – I used to think nothing of my dog picking them up and throwing them around. I’m MUCH more careful since discovering that!
Thank you so much for this article. I didn’t realize how dangerous mushrooms can be for dogs. We are currently looking to add a fur baby to our family and since fall has arrived mushrooms are popping up every day in our yard. We will be sure to get rid of them before adding a fur baby to the family.
xo Erica
There are some that are edible and even some that are beneficial, but unless you’re experienced in telling them apart, it’s safer to just avoid mushrooms altogether in the wild.
This is such a helpful and informative post, thanks for sharing! I’ve seen so many dogs with the led collars, they’re such a smart idea!
Nicola | nicoladaletraining.com
They are such a great tool to help you see your pups as the sun goes down. Especially those who have darker coloured dogs. We can usually see our girl Daviana when the sun starts going down, but our boy Indiana’s dark coat means he disappears quickly.