7 Ways To Safeguard Your Dog During Autumn Walks
After the sweltering heat, autumn comes as a sigh of relief both for pets as well as pet parents. It is the best time for dogs to dive into splashing puddles, sniff new smells and explore nature in pleasant weather.
Dogs love to go out for long walks in the beauty of autumn but along with the charm, this season has its challenges. Autumn walks are pleasant for dogs but it is extremely crucial to safeguard your furry friends from difficulties during their outdoor time and keep them healthy and happy.
Tips to Ensure Safety of Your Dog During Autumn Walks
Through this blog, let us have a quick look at the ways to keep your dogs safe during autumn walks:
1. Ensure visibility: Exercise should be an important part of your dog’s routine, irrespective of the season but it is crucial to take care of certain things in autumn. When you take your dog out for a walk, make sure you and your dog both are visible to passers-by to avoid accidents. Wear reflective jackets and make your dog wear a reflective collar to get spotted easily. Avoid leaving them in the dark as they may get scared and run away.
2. Look out for snails and slugs: Autumn brings brilliant hues of the falling leaves which are adored by everyone, but there is a possibility of harmful bacteria lying under these mesmerizing leaves. Therefore, it is important to keep your dog away from these leaves when out for walks. Piled-up wet leaves are a breeding ground for bacteria that can be dangerous to your dog. Moreover, they may conceal diseased snails and slugs that can cause lungworm in your dog, if digested.
Regular worming treatments with veterinary recommendations will aid in keeping your dog safe.
3. Beware of conkers and acorns: When you take your dog out for a good autumn walk, be careful about conkers and acorns. Conkers obstruct your dog’s airways. They contain a chemical called aesculin, which if consumed, can harm their internal organs. Acorns contain tannic acid, which can irritate the stomach, induce diarrhea, harm internal organs and cause serious issues like kidney problems.
4. Cold Protection: As the temperatures start to drop in autumn, your dog may feel the chills despite having a fluffy coat. It is essential to layer them with extra clothes to keep them protected from cooler temperatures.
5. Pay attention to anti-freeze spillages: With changes in the weather, your dog may confuse anti-freeze spillages with puddles which can be harmful for them. Be careful with anti-freeze spills, especially around parked cars where a leak could have occurred.
6. Modify walking schedule: With the changing temperature, alter your dog’s walking schedule. Opt for late morning or early evening walks rather than walks in the dark as it may pose the risk of accidents.
7. Post-walk care: Following a post-walk routine can help prevent various health risks and keep your dog safe. When your dog returns after a walk, they may be feeling chilly or picked up dirt, fleas or ticks. You can consider using Kiltix Tick Collar, Bravecto or Frontline Plus to protect your dog against flea and tick infestations. Giving them a warm shower with a good dog shampoo would help them clean up and remove all unwanted bugs/parasites/insects from their body.
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Wrapping Up
Keep your four-legged friend protected and healthy during autumn with the above-mentioned simple tips. These can help you in keeping your dog disease-free all through the cold weather. Always consult the vet for more tailored recommendations.