Fall Pet Safety Tips

It’s easy to enjoy the crisp, fresh air of fall after a long summer heat wave, but there are still a variety of pet safety hazards you need to be aware of. To keep your pet healthy and happy this fall season, consult the tips below and be sure to let us know if you have any other seasonal concerns!

Be on the Lookout for Parasites

While the temperature might be dropping, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes don’t give up quite that easily. In fact, they can often go dormant during the fall and winter and reemerge when the temperature exceeds 40 degrees. Therefore, year-round parasite protection for your pet is a must!

Additional ways you can prevent parasite infestations is to avoid walking your pet through forested areas and allowing leaves, branches, and other yard debris to accumulate and become ideal hiding spots for ticks.

Keep Rodenticides Off Your Property

If you have a rodent problem, look for safer alternatives to rat poison and other toxic rodenticides that your pet can easily ingest. These poisons are lethal! Also be sure to check around your house or other areas in case you have neighbors that frequently place rat poison outside. If you suspect that your pet has ingested rat poison, call us immediately at (317) 900-7723 or contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.

Fall Pet Safety in Carmel: Dog playing with leaves

Mushrooms and Wildlife

Fall is often a rainy season, and with moisture comes mushrooms. You may find these dotting your lawn or concealing themselves under shrubs and trees. Certain  wild mushrooms can be extremely poisonous for animals and people if they are eaten. These include the death cap, angel of death, false parasol, beefsteak (false morel), and toadstool mushrooms. Pets that ingest these may not show clinical signs for several hours. Aside from gastrointestinal distress, consuming poisonous mushrooms can cause liver failure, seizures, coma, and death. If you think your pet ate a poisonous mushroom, call us or reach out to the Pet Poison Helpline.

Wildlife such as deer, raccoons, coyotes, and foxes can spread disease. Check for animal droppings around your property and don’t allow your pet to drink from standing puddles of water, which may contain leptospirosis and other infectious bacteria. Raccoons, coyotes, foxes and bats can also spread rabies, which is often fatal. Don’t leave your pet outdoors by themselves and if possible, build a fence around your yard to keep wildlife out.

Antifreeze

As the temperature increases, so does the need for antifreeze. Keep antifreeze containers tightly sealed and in a secure place; this is a highly toxic substance and can be fatal for pets. Clean up spills and puddles just in case, too!