Get those paws outdoors this autumn!

For many people, autumn is just about the best time of year to be out and about with your furry family.  Temperatures are just right – it’s not too hot and not too cold and there’s plenty of daylight still around. 
 
Long walks on clear, crisp days followed by cosy evenings by the fire.  Falling leaves and the scent of bonfires.  Furry friends frisking in the foliage, spectacular seasonal scenery and lots of leaf peeping (more often than not with more leaves on the dog than on the rake!).  Just my cup of cocoa.
 
There are a few things to be aware of during autumn when walking your dog:

• Damp leaves, particularly when piled up, are a haven for bacteria and mould.  

 

• Mushrooms also tend to sprout up more during autumn.  It is best to discourage your dog from eating them as some can be toxic.

 

• Eating conkers can cause drooling, retching, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and intestinal blockages.

 

• Eating acorns can cause damage to the liver and kidneys.  Signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and lethargy.  

 

• Antifreeze sometimes leaks from a car’s radiator and can be dangerous as apparently it is sweet tasting.  Even a relatively small quantity can cause serious kidney damage and be fatal.  The first signs can be that your dog appears “drunk”.  Contact your vet without delay. 

 
I hope this helps.
Get those paws outdoors this autumn and make the most of this beautiful season!
 
“Autumn is a second Spring, when every leaf is a flower” – Albert Camus