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!
Oh my gosh, thank you for posting this. I have two golden retrievers, and one of them loves to eat our compost soil. I will definitely keep a closer eye on him! Also had no idea about acorns! Who knew! Thanks again. 🙂
We used to have acorns at our house (former house) and I didn’t realize just how dangerous they could be. I was lucky, Dav liked to play with them but wasn’t big on eating them.
Very ineresting. Did not realize acorns or compost were a danger to dogs. Thanks for sharing.
The fact that compost could be dangerous was a fact that I learned after moving out on my own. I never realized that it could be toxic, however, it makes complete sense. Now I’m very careful about when the dogs have access to our garden area.
My younger is allergic and early fall is the time. I am always sad when it happens because there is not much we can do but to give him a pill, wash and clean his skin. I was surprised when I realized many people think that fall is tick free time.
I know that feeling. Daviana shows it first in her ears, so we have become VERY familiar with the steroid ear medication that our vet prescribes for her. It’s a struggle that we face every spring.
My Beagle Rocco has become such a pain in the butt when I let him out in the yard now. He has taken to eating crickets now and followign them around the yard. It always makes me afraid of what else he will come up with when he’s out there. Acrons are a HUGE thing by me as all our oak tress drop them like mad this time of year. Luckily my Terrier mix Mia only has Spring allergies becasue she gets them real bad. I still love them even though they can be real pains at times. 🙂
Our girl Daviana has pretty bad allergies. It starts in the spring and runs right through until the snow falls again, poor girl. We’ve learned how to manage them better but there are still times when they are worse than others and you can see it coming through.
Great tips! Where did this year go? I know it hasn’t been the best year for most people, which probably makes it a good thing that it’s over half way over already, but still. I can’t believe that it’s almost fall already.
Right? I mean, it certainly hasn’t been the year that we were all hoping for, but I can’ believe how quickly it’s flying by! It feels like just yesterday we were coming out of the holiday season with the year stretched out before us lol
Wow, there’s a lot here I didn’t realize! Thank you. And thank you for reminding it’s time to start marketing fall color sessions. It’s like I had no idea what time of year it is!
I have been completely losing track of time this year! It’s like it all just blends together lol
I am excited about autumn! I know dogs are too for the pile of leaves they seem to love to jump in. It is great to learn all about these seasonal things that we need to be mindful of when it comes to dealing with dogs. YES, the last thing we want is for our pups to eat a foreign mushroom. I am always scared about poisons meant for pests and rodents. Sometimes I worry about my cats getting to them. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!!
Nancy ✨
I personally hate the use of poisons. Not only can other animals get into the poison itself, but there are also those that feed on the poisoned rodent. Many birds of prey die from ingesting too much poison through a secondary poisoning like that. I understand that people are searching for a relatively easy way of ridding their property of rodents, I just don’t think it’s the best solution.
We didn’t know about mushrooms and acorns! We enjoyed learning more info about dogs from your post.
Thank you!
Great post and reminder, I keep forgetting it is around the corner and we should start preparing plus letting new dog parents know so that they keep their new fur kids safe
That’s the most important thing, I believe. Keeping one another informed. Us dog parents need to stick together!
Fall is my favorite time of year! This a great post. A lot it applies to outdoor cats and adventure cats too. Although they’re less likely to eat weird things like acorns and compost.
Yes, a lot of these risks definitely apply to cats as well! Our cats never go outdoors unless they are with us on a leash, so we are generally able to keep them safer from the risks mentioned.
Wow, so much to think about, and so much I didn’t know! The rat poison is definitely something I worry about though. I know our HOA uses it in the neighborhood. I also really like the idea of dog collars with lights on them. Thanks again for another timely what to watch out for post!
We purchased LED collars for both of our pups. Any time we’re out after dark, they wear them. Better safe than sorry, right?
That just makes you look forward to Autumn, doesn’t it? LOL Every season carries its own risks to dogs and fall is no different. Where we live, I consider mushrooms the biggest menace.
One of the parks that we love camping at in the fall has quite a few mushrooms growing around the area. Knowing that, we stay as vigilant as we can to make sure that we don’t allow the dogs at them.
This is a veeh helpful and informative post. I’d never thought about compost being dangerous before but it completely makes sense.
That was one of the items that discovered fairly recently. However, as you said, it does make sense! I never stopped to consider the risks associated with it such as the potential presence of mold spores.
Amazing tips, unfortunately i don’t own a dog. So I’ll be forwarding this to my friends . Great info
Thank you for forwarding it!
Catching up with the Pet Parade. It’s been hectic here so I am glad you joined us. I hd no idea of the dangers. I know mothballs are not nice though!
There are so many dangers out there that often fly under the radar. However, the more we know, the safer we can keep our pets!
This is great and helpful post. I’m glad I found your page????
Thank you!
So many hazards for our dogs. so much to learn to keep them safe. I didn’t know about acorns.
Before I learned about that, my girl used to throw them around like a toy. I’m lucky that she wasn’t interested in eating them.
Wow there are so many things to look out for! I never realised. I’m desparate to get a dog, but I’m living in an apartment at the moment and don’t think it’s fair for a dog to be cooped up. But as soon as I get a house, a dog is first on the list! Thanks for these tips, will keep a note.
There are a few lower-energy breeds that do great in smaller living situations like apartments as long as they get walked daily. That being said, there are also many, many other breeds that need more space to run and play. Our 2 dogs, for example, need a backyard space to run. The fact that you’re acknowledging that is a sure sign that you’ll be a great pet owner when you decide that the time is right!
Wow, so many potential dangers that I didn’t know about. This is a very valuable article that every dog owner should read.
Thank you!
This was such a great and informative post. There were a few things on this list that I didn’t know would be dangerous for dogs so thank you so much for sharing!
There are a few that I didn’t learn about until recently either!
Mushrooms are a major concern where we live. They start growing EVERYWHERE in midsummer. They lurk in the grass and in the garden. Once the trees start to drop their leaves, the mushrooms are hidden from sight. That’s until they are broken apart while raking up the leaves.
Since my dog loves playing in the leaves we need to be extra vigilant to make sure she doesn’t accidently ingest some.
Thanks for getting out the word about the dangers of the fall season for dogs.
That’s the biggest struggle when it comes to mushrooms – they are often hidden where we can’t easily see that the risk is there!
I learn so much from your blog as my family prepares to adopt a dog. I would not even think of these dangers. The fact that dogs can experience seasonal allergies, too, just blows me away!
My girl has REALLY bad seasonal allergies. Each spring we have to help her manage them including limiting exposure on high-risk days (we monitor the allergy reports on the Weather Network) as well as medicating when necessary. I’ve been caring for her for 11 years now, so it’s second nature, but it was a little challenging to stay on top of in the beginning.
These are all such great tips and things to be mindful of. Firework fear is a big one for us in autumn as people start celebrating our bonfire night a little too early. Trying to stop him eating literally everything he sees on the floor always feels like a constant battle too x
Sophie
I have heard many people talk about Bonfire Night, but that’s not something that we celebrate over here – so no worry about fireworks this late in the season. Summer is firework season here!
Such a great time to share these important reminders! Everyone gets caught up in the Autumn excitement, and all the fun things to do and yummy things to eat, it is so important to keep watch for things that could make our dogs sick. Great post!
Thank you!
I mean, Autumn is easily my favourite time of year – but it’s A LOT more fun if there are no dog-related medical emergencies lol
How is it about to be fall?! I’m amazed at how quickly this year has gone already. I had no clue about acorns or compost being dangerous to dogs. I always learn something cool when I visit your blog, Britt!
Right? I feel like it was just yesterday that the spring weather was just around the corner and we were making plans for the year ahead (not that any of those plans came to fruition lol).