The trees are changing colors, the sweaters are coming out of storage, and the cool crisp air outside signals to us the beginning of a new season. It’s come time for shorter days and cooler nights and thus, as we transition into the beautiful Autumn months we have to start making every minute of the day count for ourselves and for our families. Our furry friends love this time of year, the cool air makes it easier for them to play outside longer, the leaves make wonderful crunching sounds as they barrel through them and ‘tis the season of family dinners and we all know just how quickly our pets can turn into vacuums when there’s fresh turkey involved. Though the season brings much joy to the different members of our families, it also harbors its own challenges when it comes to pets and their owners, and being aware of the possible hazards can make it so that your pet only needs a trip to the vet when it comes time for their annual check-up.
Beware of household poisons
Things like antifreeze and rodenticides can be extremely toxic to your pets once ingested. Be sure to store any opened bottles in an area that is far out of their reach and keep an eye out for possible leakage as the sweet smell and taste of antifreeze can be mistaken as a nice treat and can quickly affect the health of your pet.
Back to school, for some of the kids
Pencils, pens, markers, and crayons - so many fun colors for the kids to bring to school and also fun colors for your pets to mistake as toys. Though we know that those items are considered of low toxicity to your pets, gastrointestinal upset and blockage can occur if ingested and a less than desirable trip to the vet's office may ensue.
Critter patrol
The transition from summer to fall is a big time for some of our wild neighbors. Bats, ground squirrels and snakes are all getting ready to hunker down for the long cold spell, to name a few. While it doesn’t seem like a big deal for us it can be for our families. As snakes prepare to hibernate they’re moving around and trying to find the perfect food and shelter and that movement can bring them to an area that we are not used to seeing them. All it takes is one second for your pet to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Take 5 minutes one day and research the possible local venomous snakes and figure out which areas you should steer clear of.
Now, it may seem like there are too many things to watch out for in this beautiful season but that’s not really the case. We don’t want you to think that you have to keep your pets locked up in a padded room to keep them safe, just be sure to check on them every once and awhile to be certain that they’re not getting into any trouble. If your pet does happen to ingest any toxins or foreign objects or have a run in with a possibly venomous critter be sure to call your veterinarian immediately as they’ll help you to figure out the best course of action.