With the leaves changing colors and the crisp air starting to set in, it's finally time to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. With the new season, we tend to spend a little bit more time outdoors than we did in, say, August thanks to the cooler temps, raking the leaves, sipping on our pumpkin lattes and hitting up those state fairs.
Just as we all start to get a little fall fever, dog owners should be warned that with the new season also comes a few hidden dangers lurking about that could make your furry friend sick or even worse.
Here are some of the fall season dangers from WFMY News that all pet owners should keep an eye out for.
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1. Untreated allergies
Just like humans, dogs can get seasonal allergies too. A few surefire signs of an allergy in a dog can be sneezing, wheezing, water eyes, runny noses, itching, scratching and even biting to the point where it creates bald spots. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dogs, all year round, you shouldn't wait and call your vet immediately. What may seem like a simple reaction to "something" can lead to a larger problem if left untreated. Remember, when it comes to our loved ones, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
2. Exposure to antifreeze
The cooler temperatures also means prepping our vehicle for winter and that includes adding antifreeze to the engine. Even though adding antifreeze to the car doesn't sound like anything that could affect our beloved pets, it is one of the most dangerous substances if your dog were to ingest it. Make sure all spills and drips are immediately cleaned up when adding antifreeze to your car, if a dog were to even lick the smallest amount it could lead to kidney failure and even death. There is a pet-friendly antifreeze which is made with propylene glycol which is available anywhere auto parts are stored.
3. Feeding them bones
Dating back to the early cartoons and movies, society has always told us that dogs love bones. Remember Dino from the Flintstones chomping on a giant bone from a tyrannosaurus rex? Well, forget what we were told as little kids, bones are probably the worst things you could give a dog. Every single time you feed a dog a bone, you are taking a chance that the little treat could break up into tiny bone shards and become lodged somewhere inside the dog which can be life threatening.
4. Excessivly exposing them to cold weather
Even though many of us are ready to say goodbye to the 90-degree-plus temps, it doesn't mean our dogs are prepared for the colder environment. Sure our pups are starting to grow out their winter coats, maybe even eating a little bit more to get a jump on that winter weight, but not acclimating them to the fall weather could really be a shock to their system. Although we are not there yet, it's always a good rule of thumb for dog owners to remember that if the water in their dish is freezing, pets not be left outside.
5. Feeding them mushrooms
No matter how much you like them either in your salad, on your steak, or in a burger, dogs should NEVER be given mushrooms ever. According to WFMY News, all mushrooms are toxic to dogs. It doesn't matter if they are growing in your garden, the woods, or being cooked on your stove. Dogs should always be under close supervision when they are in an environment where mushrooms could potentially be growing. Owners, WFMY News said, need to be "especially cautious of parasol-shaped mushrooms and all small brown mushrooms." Signs of mushroom poisoning in dogs can range from mild vomiting and diarrhea to severe digestive problems to complete liver failure.
6. Leaving them unattended around compost Piles
One of the most dangerous, yet unassuming, things in your yard that can be detrimental to your dog is the compost pile. All that decomposing material could very well contain mycotoxins, also known as molds, that can cause hyperthermia, agitation, excessive panting or drooling, and even seizures in dogs. It is imperative that dogs are never left unattended around compost heaps, for an added protection plate a fence or concrete wall around outdoor compost heaps.
7. Giving them candy
Most of us have probably heard that chocolate is extremely toxic for dogs but so are some of the most common ingredients found in most candy bars such as raisins and the sugar-free sweetener xylitol. WFMY News suggests being extra careful around Halloween and make sure all candy bins, bowls and wrappers are placed in an area where a dog could not get to them. It's not just the ingredients that could do your dog harm, wrappers and lollipop sticks, if swallowed, could potentially cause intestinal blockages too.
