🍂 Fall with Dogs and Cats: Staying Safe During the Colorful Season
The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and the leaves are changing color outside. For many dogs, fall is a great time for long walks, and our cats also like to curl up indoors a bit more often now that the weather is cooler.
With the change of seasons, however, there are a few things pet owners should keep in mind. We’ve put together the most important fall tips for dogs and cats.
- 🔦 Staying Safe Out and About When It Gets Dark Earlier
- 🍄 Acorns, chestnuts, and mushrooms along the trail
- 🎃 Fall Decor and Curious Four-Legged Friends
- 🕯️ Candles, home fragrances, and essential oils
- 🐾 Even in fall, those paws can get itchy
- 🍪 Pumpkin cookies for your dog
- 🐶 Stay safe this fall with the right coverage
🔦 Stay safe on the road when it gets dark earlier
In the fall, it gets light later in the morning and dark much earlier in the evening. As a result, many walks take place at dusk or after dark again.
- To ensure your dog is clearly visible to other road users, reflective elements on their harness, collar, or leash can help.
- Small lights on clothing or a collar also help improve visibility.
- A reflective collar can also be a good idea for outdoor cats. It’s essential to use a safety collar that opens if your cat gets caught on something.
- In the dark, it’s also a good idea to keep your dog a little closer to you. Cyclists, other dogs, or wild animals are often spotted too late.
What if something happens in the dark despite taking precautions?
🍄 Acorns, chestnuts, and mushrooms along the path
Colorful leaves aren’t the only things lying on the ground in the fall. We also come across acorns, chestnuts, and mushrooms on many of our walks. Curious dogs, in particular, like to pick things up with their mouths while out and about:
- Acorns and chestnuts: Should not be eaten. They can cause gastrointestinal problems, and whole fruits or large pieces that are swallowed could get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract and cause further problems.
- Mushrooms: Extreme caution is advised here. It’s not always possible to reliably tell whether a mushroom is harmless or poisonous while you’re out and about. If your dog has eaten an unknown mushroom, you should contact your veterinarian immediately, just to be safe.
Should you get coverage for veterinary costs in case of poisoning?
🎃 Fall Decor and Curious Four-Legged Friends
For many people, pumpkins, dried flowers, small decorations, and lights are all part of fall. For dogs and cats, however, these new decorations can be quite exciting.
Small decorative items, ribbons, and artificial leaves, in particular, can be swallowed while playing or chewing. Plants and flowers should also not be placed within reach of pets, as not every plant is safe for dogs and cats. If you have a particularly curious four-legged friend at home, it’s best to arrange your fall decorations so they don’t become new toys.
Swallowed a decorative item? Protect yourself from unexpected surgery costs:
🕯️ Candles, home fragrances, and essential oils
As it gets colder outside, it’s time once again for candles and cozy evenings at home. Scented candles, home fragrances, and diffusers are also used more often in the fall.
- Essential oils: Some essential oils can be harmful to dogs and, in particular, to cats. When using diffusers, fine residues may also settle on their fur. When the animal grooms itself, these residues can then be ingested via the tongue. Therefore, always check whether the product is suitable for a household with pets.
- Lighted candles: A curious cat’s paw or a wagging dog’s tail is all it takes for a candle to tip over. Candles should therefore always be kept out of reach and should not be left burning unattended.
Burn or allergic reaction?
🐾 Even in the fall, their paws can get itchy
Just because summer is over doesn’t mean allergies are automatically a thing of the past. Environmental allergens can continue to cause problems even in the fall. Plus, when you’re out for a walk, your dog’s paws come into contact with damp leaves, plant debris, and various substances on the ground.
For dogs with sensitive paws, it can help to rinse their paws with clean water or wipe them down with a damp cloth after a walk. Afterward, the paws—and especially the areas between the toes—should be dried thoroughly. If your dog suddenly starts licking or chewing on its paws more often, or if you notice redness or sores, you should have a veterinarian determine the cause.
Allergies can be expensive!
🍪 Pumpkin Cookies for Your Dog
Pumpkin is a fall staple and is also great for making homemade dog treats. For a simple recipe, you only need a few ingredients:
| Ingredients | Preparation |
|---|---|
|
Mix all ingredients together until a workable dough forms. Then roll out the dough and cut out small cookies. Bake at 180°C for about 15 to 20 minutes, then let them cool completely. |
| Important: Only use unseasoned pumpkin for these cookies. Do not add sugar, salt, or spices to the dough. As with all treats, adjust the amount based on your dog’s size and regular food portion. | |
For a long, healthy life for your dog:
🐶 Stay safe this fall with the right protection
Fall offers many wonderful opportunities to spend time with our four-legged friends. If you keep an eye on what your dog picks up during walks, make sure your dog is clearly visible, and pay attention to a few small details at home, you’ll be well prepared for the darker months of the year.
Should an unforeseen incident occur, simpego pet insurance protects you from high veterinary costs. We’ll reimburse or cover the necessary costs for veterinary treatment. The insurance covers treatments within Switzerland and in areas near the border, provided the veterinary practice is no more than 75 km away from your place of residence as the crow flies. This leaves you more time for what really matters: enjoying the fall together without a care in the world.
Are you and your four-legged friend already covered?
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