11 Autumn Hazards for Dogs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Autumn is an exciting season for both us and our dogs. The change in weather and the arrival of new smells and textures make every walk feel different, and our dogs are the first to notice. Fallen leaves, earthy paths after a rain and the mix of outdoor scents that shift every day mean there’s a lot for them to investigate. For us, it’s a chance to mix up our routines too, giving them longer walks, fun seasonal treats and a few new autumn-inspired recipes to try at home.

But with all the new experiences, autumn also brings a set of challenges that aren’t always obvious. There are new plants, fungi and outdoor activities popping up everywhere, and not all of them are safe for dogs. Even something that seems harmless, like a shiny seed or a fun-looking mushroom, can be dangerous if ingested. That’s why being aware of autumn hazards for dogs is so important.

By keeping an eye out and knowing what to watch for, you can make sure your dog experiences all the best parts of autumn safely, and you can enjoy it just as much as they do. So just before you dive into the crunching leaves and seasonal treats, take a moment to learn about the autumn hazards for dogs that could be hiding in plain sight.

With all these new sights, smells and pre around, it’s easy to forget that not everything your dog encounters is safe. From plants and fungi to everyday seasonal activities, there are hidden risks that can cause serious problems. To help you navigate the season confidently, here’s our list of 11 autumn hazards for dogs worth keeping an eye out for!

Acorns may look harmless, but they can be surprisingly dangerous for dogs. They contain tannins, which can irritate a dog’s stomach and, in larger quantities, cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and even kidney damage.

Dogs that chew or swallow acorns can also risk intestinal blockages, especially smaller breeds. You might notice your dog chewing on fallen acorns during walks or in the garden, so it’s important to keep an eye on them.

The easiest way to prevent issues with autumn hazards like this is to pick up fallen acorns from your yard and redirect your dog’s attention away from them during walks with tasty treats. If their obsession with acorns is insatiable, try tempting them with one of our soft dog toys like the Lambwolf Collective Acorn Soft and Squeaky Toy for Dogs! It might not taste the same, but it has a durable ball hidden inside that squeaks and massages their teeth and gums like a real acorn would!

Conkers, those shiny seeds from horse chestnut trees that we all played with as children, are particularly tempting for dogs because of their hard, smooth surface. Unfortunately, these autumn hazards contain a toxin called aesculin which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea lethargy, and in severe cases, more serious illness.

Dogs may try to chew or swallow them, thinking they’re a treat. Prevention is mainly about supervision so try to steer your dog away from areas where conkers are abundant and discourage chewing any that make it into the mouth.

You’ve probably already noticed that autumn is mushroom season, and while many fungi are harmless, some are highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting wild mushrooms can lead to symptoms ranging from mild stomach upset to severe liver failure, neurological issues and even death.

Because it’s almost impossible to identify safe mushrooms reliably without expertise, the safest approach is to prevent your dog from eating any mushrooms outdoors. Keep them on a lead during walks, supervise in gardens or parks and train them with commands like “leave it” to discourage tasting unknown items.

And when they’re home, treat them to some dog-safe mushrooms, whether it’s a fun mushroom-shaped treat dispenser toy or a mushroom-based food topper for dogs that contains dog-friendly, immune system-boosting fungi your dog can safely consume.

For so many dog owners, one of the hardest parts of autumn is fireworks. Especially around Bonfire Night, you can expect to hear lots of loud noises and flashing lights that can trigger intense fear and anxiety in dogs, leading to trembling, hiding and sometimes destructive behaviour.

Fireworks stress is a real welfare concern, so it’s worth preparing in advance. Create a safe space for your dog indoors and speak to your vet about calming aids for dogs or pheromone products if your pup struggles badly.

We also suggest never leaving your pup alone on nights when fireworks are occurring. Instead, get cosy on the sofa with a hot chocolate, a Halloween film and give your dog a fun enrichment toy to keep them distracted until the fireworks stop.

Another one of the autumn hazards for dogs to look out for is fallen fruit, especially apples, plums and blackberries. While some fruits are safe, others can be toxic and cause gastrointestinal upset. Stone fruits like cherries and plums, for example, contain cyanogenic compounds in their seeds that can be harmful if ingested, while overly fermented fruit can cause stomach issues or even alcohol poisoning.

As always, try to supervise your dog in orchards and unfamiliar gardens, pick up fallen fruit promptly and avoid letting them eat anything unless you know it’s safe. Then, when you’re home from your outdoor adventures, why not make some homemade autumn dog treats with dog-safe fruits and veg? We’ve got plenty of inspiration in our blog.

Ticks aren’t just active in summer, but autumn as well and pose a significant risk to dogs. They can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, which causes fever, joint pain and lethargy, or Anaplasmosis, which affects the blood.

Ticks are gross little things that attach to the skin and feed on blood, so checking your dog after every walk, especially if you’ve been exploring in wooded or grassy areas, is a must. You can also use vet-recommended tick prevention products like spot-on treatments or collars and promptly removing any ticks with a proper tick remover tool for dogs can greatly reduce the risk.

Lungworm is another one of the autumn hazards for dogs you deserve to know about. This gross-sounding threat is a parasitic infection that becomes more noticeable in autumn due to all the slugs, snails and contaminated water sources around.

Dogs can be at risk of ingesting larvae while exploring damp gardens, parks or puddles, leading to coughing, lethargy, weight loss, or in severe cases, fatal lung or heart issues. As always, prevention is key, so use regular vet-recommended lungworm preventatives, keep your dog from eating slugs or snails, and ensure water sources are safe.

Autumn storms are one of the less obvious autumn hazards for dogs, but the heavy rain, strong winds and sudden lightning can create both physical dangers and stress for our pups. Just things like flying debris, slippery surfaces and sudden loud noises can injure or terrify them, and some dogs may panic, attempting to escape or hide in unsafe areas.

When storms are happening outside, keep your furry friend indoors and provide a secure, sheltered space. And when they do need to visit the garden for a toilet break, be sure to supervise them.

If your dog gets particularly stressed by loud noises like fireworks and storms, you might want to try giving them some dog treats designed to calm them or spray some calming scents in their safe space. You can even light a dog-safe candle like the SNOOZE Dog Calming Candle which is made using soy wax and relaxing essential oils to help calm and relax them.

As the weather cools, roads and pavements are often treated with grit to prevent ice. While this keeps humans safe, the salt and chemicals can irritate your dog’s paws, causing cracking, redness, or burns. Plus, ingesting grit can also upset the stomach.

After walks, rinse or wipe your dog’s paws with a soft microfibre towel and consider protective boots or socks for dogs with extra sensitive skin. You can also carry some dog wipes with you while out walking in case you come across some on route! Keeping an eye on where your dog walks and avoiding heavily treated areas when possible can prevent discomfort and long-term paw damage.

We love Halloween too, and it’s a truly fun time of year to involve you pup - dog Halloween costumes and all! But with the spooky fun also comes some more autumn hazards for dogs.

For example, Halloween treats like Chocolate, xylitol-sweetened candy, raisins, and sugary sweets can be toxic to dogs, causing vomiting, tremors and sometimes liver failure. Dogs may be drawn to dropped sweets while trick-or-treating or at home so to keep your dog safe, store Halloween treats securely, educate family and friends not to feed them, and provide dog-safe alternatives.

And finally, as the weather turns colder, antifreeze is one of the most serious autumn hazards for dogs. It’s used in cars and heating systems and, despite its sweet taste, even a tiny amount can be extremely toxic.

Ingesting antifreeze can lead to rapid kidney failure and can be fatal if not treated promptly. The good news is it’s preventable so long as you clean up any spills, store the chemicals securely and supervise dogs around driveways or garages.

If you suspect your dog has ingested antifreeze, contact your vet immediately as quick action can make all the difference.

Autumn is such a fantastic time for our pups. There’s so much to enjoy: long walks through crunchy leaves, discovering new scents and textures, playing in parks and gardens and even trying out seasonal recipes at home. It’s a season full of experiences that keep our dogs curious, engaged and happy. But as we’ve seen, it’s also a time when some hidden autumn hazards can appear.

From falling fruits and fungi to fireworks and antifreeze, a little awareness goes a long way in keeping your dog safe while still letting them enjoy everything autumn has to offer. But thankfully, with a bit of planning, autumn can be a season of fun without the worry.

So whether you want to stock up on some tasty dog treats to keep them well-trained and motivated, invest in dog enrichment toys to keep them happily distracted during fireworks, or find calming scents and treats for when they’re feeling stressed, you can make the season enjoyable with our wide range of dog products here at WOOOF.

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