The change in season brings new hazards for our pets; household toxins, colder weather, ticks, and fleas to name but a few. Shorter days and fading light may make us want to cosy up indoors, but ensuring our pets get enough exercise and stay healthy during this time is important to guarantee they lead a happy life.
Colder weather
As the temperature drops it’s even more important that we continue our daily walks with our pets. Ensuring they get consistent exercise throughout the winter will prevent unwanted weight gain, maintain healthy joints and ensure they are mentally stimulated. If you find it difficult to walk as far during the week (due to work commitments etc), you could opt for puzzle feeders or games to keep your pet stimulated.
The same applies to our feline friends – they are less likely to go out as much in the colder weather, so weighing out their food and providing plenty of indoor stimulation can ensure they don’t put on excessive weight during the winter months.
For our small furries (like rabbits and guinea pigs) living outdoors, now is the time to start preparing their winter accommodation. Whether this means moving them indoors overnight, or insulating their living accommodation to help make them cosier. Rabbits and guinea pigs need more high fibre hay in the colder months to maintain their condition and keep them in good health.
Safety on walks
It’s important to BE SEEN. Always carry a torch and / or wear a high vis jacket when walking your dog in the dark mornings and evenings. You could treat your dog to a reflective collar and flashing harnesses to make sure they’re seen, as well as keeping them looking smart!
Household toxins
Anti-freeze is a potentially fatal toxin if ingested. Cats in particular love the taste of this sweet substance, so it’s important to ensure bottles are stored safely and check for leaks and spillages.
Symptoms of anti- freeze poisoning are:
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Seizures
- Uncoordinated movements
Rodents are also on the move indoors in the autumn, so our use of poisons generally increases at this time of year. Opting for humane traps are the safest option, but if poisons must be used ensure they are kept in places out of reach to your pets.
Symptoms of rodenticide (rat poison) poisoning are:
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Pale gums
If you suspect your pet has ingested a poison, you should contact your vet immediately. It’s often helpful to take a picture of the type of poison and / or take the packaging with you. This way, your vet can treat the problem better and more efficiently.
Outdoor toxins
As the leaves turn yellow, most of us love to see and collect the fruits of autumn; mushrooms, acorns, and conkers. However, it’s best to keep your pet away from these as most will cause unpleasant symptoms like vomiting or diarrhoea and could even cause an obstruction.
Parasites
Contrary to popular belief, problems with fleas and ticks increases in the autumn, especially when we all start to turn on our central heating. So, prevention is equally important now as it is in the hotter months of the year. Like most vets, here at Vetsmiths, we recommend year-round prevention – prevention is definitely better than cure.
Fireworks and Halloween
Unfortunately, the fireworks’ season seems to be getting longer each year, so it’s even more important to plan for this as it can cause significant stress for many pets. A good idea is to build a den for your pet to retreat to whilst fireworks are going off. Closing curtains and playing music can also help block out the loud bangs and whizzes which many pets find frightening.
We advise speaking to your vet early if your pet suffers from extreme anxiety during these periods as there are several options that can be taken. But timing is of the essence.
If you are at all concerned about the health of your pet or any of the above hazards presenting themselves over the autumn and winter months, we’re here to help, so get in touch to ensure your pet is receiving the best possible care.
