As we move into Autumn and the nights draw in, we get used to darker, wetter dog walks and look forward to seasonal celebrations, but did you know Autumn also brings dangers for your dog?

Autumn is a beautiful season for woodland walks. Its great fun to kick through the leaves with our dogs but there a few things to watch out for that could be harmful for your dog.

Poisonous seeds and fruits  

Acorns and conkers are poisonous to dogs and can cause an upset tummy, intestinal blockages or in rare cases, more serious illnesses. I’ve met dogs who love to crunch acorns and fallen nuts, but they can cause issues, so do all you can to stop your dog doing this!  
Fallen fruits can be a problem, too. Plum stones, apple pips and cherry stones contain toxins, and if your dog eats fermenting fruit, they can develop a tummy upset. 

Poisonous bulbs

Many spring bulbs, planted in Autumn, are toxic to dogs. If you are planting alliums, daffodils, tulips and crocus bulbs, watch your dog carefully as if they eat one of these bulbs, they can become unwell. Symptoms vary but most cause an upset stomach with sickness and diarrhoea. If your dog is one that will eat anything, keep an eye on them!   

Alabama Rot

Thankfully Alabama Rot is a rare disease, but it is present in the UK, and it is very serious if caught. Not much is known about the cause of this illness, but it seems to be caught in muddy, wooded areas. Symptoms include skin sores, vomiting, lack of appetite, tiredness and kidney failure.   To avoid the disease, make sure you wash your dog off after walks. 

Toadstools and other fungi

Autumn’s damp conditions are perfect for toadstools, mushrooms and other fungi. It’s really difficult to tell harmless fungi from the poisonous kind, so if you have a dog that will eat anything, keep a close eye on them. Some harmful fungi will just cause a stomach upset while others can be fatal. If you dog has eaten an unknown fungus, take them to the vet immediately. If possible, take a picture of what they have eaten or better still, take a sample of it to show the vet. Also take a note of where the fungus was growing as this can help identify it. For example,  was it growing on a tree stump or in the grass?      

Walks in the dark

As the nights draw in you might find yourself having to walk your dog in the dark. Road traffic accidents happen more often in the darker months so make sure you and your dog are visible. Use reflective clothing and accessories such as leads, collars and coats to let other road users know you are there.
Also check your dog is microchipped and has an identification tag in case they get lost in the dark.   

Our seasonal celebrations are great fun for us, but can be confusing and frightening for our dogs. Here's some things to think about to make sure your pets stay safe and happy.  

Halloween

Halloween can bring trick or treaters knocking on the door, lots of chocolate and sweets in the house and people in scary costumers. All very worrying for dogs and cats. Remember that chocolate is toxic to dogs so keep the treats out of your dog’s reach. It’s also a good idea to keep your dog away from the door and in a safe space if you know you’ll get lots of extra visitors.  

Bonfire Night

Bonfire night brings fireworks. A large proportion of dog owners say their dogs are frightened by fireworks so if your dog is affected, take precautions to help reduce their stress. 
Firework bangs can be deafening and not knowing what is going on can really upset your dog. You can drown out the loud bangs with music or the tv and play games to distract your pet. Others may need a safe space to retreat to. If your dog is happy in a crate, cover it in a blanket to make a dark, warm den and encourage them to retreat to it so they feel safer.
Watch out for spent fireworks on walks and in your garden, too. They contain dangerous chemicals that could be harmful to your dog.     

Hopefully these hints and tips will help you to keep your dog safe in Autumn, and it’s always a good idea to have pet insurance in place, just in case the worse happens. Check out your dog insurance options and read customer reviews to find the best pet insurance for you.