Forever Autumn – A Dog's Survival Guide to Autumn
As we wave goodbye to summer and look ahead to the season of crunchy leaves, thick soups, crisp mornings and the smell of woodsmoke, we also need to think about our canine pals. They've enjoyed a few months of late-night walks, trips out, fewer baths and doggie ice creams, not to mention plenty of 'dropped' sausages at all the barbecues.And while autumn is great for being out and about, there are a few things coming up that could cause stress for our furry friends. We talked to our friends at The Insurance Emporium for some tips on autumn-proofing our hounds, and here's what they had to say.
A Walk in the Park
Once the weather cools a bit and you don't have to worry about your dog (and their paws) overheating, it's nice to get out and about. There's something really lovely about watching your dog roll around in piles of autumn leaves and race through muddy puddles, but wet, muddy conditions can lead to infections. Conditions such as Alabama Rot – a rare but life-threatening disease – are more common between November and March, so it's important to keep paws clean and dry after a walk by washing any mud off.
Piles of leaves could be hiding sharp stones or other hazards that could hurt your dog, so always be vigilant. Muddy stagnant water in puddles and ponds could also cause an upset stomach.
In the Dark
Autumn means shorter days and darker evenings, so it might be worth investing in some reflective lights for their collar/harness/lead when walking in the evenings, and maybe a reflective jacket for yourself. You could also treat your dog to some glow-in-the-dark balls to avoid rummaging around in the bushes with your phone torch.
Remember Remember
Unfortunately, fireworks aren't just limited to Bonfire Night, and they're becoming increasingly common in the run-up. While they might be exciting for us, it's different for our four-legged friends, who don't understand the concept of Guy Fawkes. Fireworks can often be louder than 150 decibels (the average conversation is approximately 60, and a military jet taking off is 130), so it's no wonder they can make our pets anxious, particularly as they have heightened senses. It's a good idea to keep them on the lead when out walking in case they get spooked and run away.
You could also try:
- Desensitising them to firework noise by playing recordings of fireworks in the run-up to firework season, then reward them for calm behaviour.
- Make a cosy den for them.
- Give them anxiety relief, for example, a pheromone diffuser or a compression vest. (Always talk to your vet first.)
- Keep curtains and windows shut to muffle sounds/flashes.
- Keep the TV on or play soothing music – there are YouTube videos specifically created to help calm anxious dogs.
- Walk your dog earlier in the day while it's still daylight and you're less likely to hear fireworks being set off.
The Witching Hour
- Halloween usually means lots of people coming to your door, often in elaborate fancy dress, so it might be a good idea to take your dog for a walk earlier, before too many people are out and about.
- If you're expecting your doorbell to be ringing constantly, you could make a den for your dog away from the front of the house.
- If you're planning on having lit pumpkins as decorations, consider using battery-operated candles. While pumpkins aren't poisonous for dogs, the hard skin isn't digestible and could also pose a choking hazard, so dispose of any spare bits during pumpkin carving. Remember to get rid of carved pumpkins afterwards, as they rot quickly and could cause an upset stomach if eaten by a curious (and greedy) dog.
- Keep an eye on decorations; they often have small, fiddly parts that could be easily swallowed.
- Remember that chocolate is toxic for dogs as it contains theobromine, which dogs can't metabolise properly, so keep an eye on those trick or treat sweets.
Don't Leave Me This Way
Often, dogs get used to having their favourite humans around, more so during the summer months. So, when the school/work routine kicks back in, your dog could feel a bit of separation anxiety:
- Help your dog associate being alone with something positive by leaving them a treat or a favourite toy when you leave.
- Leave fun activities for them so they don't get bored, and make sure they've had plenty of exercise.
- If you're calm when you leave/arrive home, your dog is more likely to be too. A long, drawn-out farewell might cause more anxiety, and they might pick up on your stress, so make it quick and fuss-free.
Of course, we want to do our best to keep our dogs safe and healthy, and another way that could reassure us that we're doing the best for our pooches is to look at pet insurance.
The Insurance Emporium offers five different policy types from Public Liability Only to Lifetime cover, with up to 30% discount on new policies, including a 20% Introductory Discount* and 10% Multi-Pet Discount**.
Get a quote today by visiting their website or calling their friendly team on 03300 241 501.
*The 20% Introductory Discount is available from the start of the policy until its first review/renewal date. Policy is subject to change at any time. ** The multi-pet discount is either applied at inception of any new pet policies or at renewal of existing pet policies.
The Insurance Emporium offers a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording, for information on policy exclusions and limitations.
Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium ® is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no: 202748.
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