Pumpkin Spice And All Things Nice
Autumn. For many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. You can be on Team Apple or Team Pumpkin Spice, cuddle up under a cozy blanket, or go for a walk in the crisp, crunchy leaves. Whatever you enjoy, your pet bestie is likely to accompany you, so it’s a good idea to keep their safety and well-being in mind.
All The Things, All At Once
Along with the lovely weather and opportunity to enjoy all a new season has to offer, our schedules can become overwhelmingly – albeit enjoyably – busy. Back-to-school, sports practices and games, after-school enrichment programs, and, of course, work becomes busy with end-of-quarter/year requirements. It all seems to happen at once.
There are a few easy things you can do during this busy season to ensure your pet’s safety, though. They don’t take a lot of time or effort on your part, but awareness of them can go a long way in ensuring your pet enjoys the season with you.
The Biggest Risk
The biggest risk for your pet during this season of cooler weather and changing leaves is unintentional poisoning. There are a number of things that are toxic to your pet. It’s imperative to ensure that the following items are out of your pet’s reach:
- School supplies
- Rodent poisons
- Antifreeze
- Mothballs
- Mushrooms
- Halloween Candy
- Fall vegetables
Each of these has some degree of risk for your pet, and we can briefly explore each category.
School supplies like glue sticks, pencils, and crayons aren’t highly toxic but can cause stomach upset. They can also cause intestinal blockages which may require surgery.
Chemicals can be highly toxic. Many people top up or change antifreeze in their vehicles to protect them from the coming cold weather. Coolants containing Ethylene glycol are highly toxic. Any spills of this type of coolant should be cleaned up immediately. Other poisons, like those used for rodents seeking a winter domicile or moths looking for a comfy sweater to snack on, are also highly toxic to pets. They should all be inaccessible to your dog, cat, or other furry friend.
Food can also be toxic. Mushrooms encountered on a hike, for example, could be fine or could be deadly. Really, who wants to find out? Fall veggies – onion and garlic are two – can cause an accidental poisoning. And, regardless of how much they may beg, under no circumstances should you or your children share Halloween candy with your pet. Chocolate is a huge source of toxicity as is a sweetener called xylitol found in some gum and candy.
Keep In Mind
There are a few other safety items to ensure your pet’s well-being as we move into the cooler months. Your pet might encounter:
- Snakes
- Wildlife preparing for hibernation
- Parasites like ticks and fleas
- Leptospirosis
You can help protect your pet by being aware of your surroundings when you’re outdoors, especially if you’re walking in a highly wooded area. Ensuring that your pet is current on all vaccines is important, too.
Homey Gnome Veterinary Clinic
Homey Gnome Veterinary Clinic in Oakdale, MN is available to help your pet stay health and care for them in case of any medical event. We can be reached at 651-202-3388 for any help your pet might need whether you’re Team Apple or Team Pumpkin Spice.