Autumn is in full swing, which brings cooler weather and beautiful changes in scenery. These changes are fun for us humans but when it comes to our furry friends, there are a few potential hazards. We want both you and your pets to have a fun and safe fall season.
Plants:
Leaves aren’t the only thing that are starting to fall from the trees. Acorns can cause your pet a severe upset stomach if they do in fact eat them and in rare occasions, it can lead to kidney failure and even be fatal. Mushrooms also like to come out during the fall. All mushrooms are extremely toxic
and can be fatal if they are eaten by your pet. If you see any wild mushrooms in your yard, get rid of them as soon as possible.
Chemicals:
Fall time is the start of winter prepping. Many pet owners may use different chemicals and treatments to keep rodents, pests, and insects away. Owners may also treat the yard with fertilizer and make sure that their cars are filled up with antifreeze and windshield washer fluid. Never let your pet near these chemicals and treatment products because they are extremely toxic. If you happen to spill any, make sure to clean it up right away.
Sources of Heat:
There may be nothing better than a cozy fall night sitting around a fire. You need to be extra careful with your pet around a firepit or even a portable space heater. Our pets get intrigued by almost everything, an open flame coming from a fire or even a candle may cause them to get too close and possibly knock it over or even get themselves burnt. It is always best to keep these things out of their reach.
Fall Time Celebrations:
This wonderful time of year kicks off the holiday season. Halloween in itself is a hazard for pets. The opening and closing of your front door to strangers who are in scary costumes is a very stressful situation for many pets. 
Making sure that you have a collar with identification tags on is an important step in keeping your pet safe in case they were to get out when a trick or treater comes knocking at your door. Next up, make sure you keep that delicious candy out of their way as well. Eating anything with chocolate, nuts, or the artificial sweetener, xylitol, can lead to very bad GI upset and other serious health issues.
Of course there are other hazards that may come out during the fall time so if you think your pet may have had an encounter with a potential hazard this Autumn, please call us right away.