Autumn tips for Emotional Support Animals

We all love our pets very much and we want them to be safe throughout every season of the year! Summer is ending and autumn is coming, the trees are changing colors. We’d like to give you some tips on what to do with your emotional support companion dog because autumn requires a change to keep your esa safe.

1. Keep your dog warm.

If your dog has short hair, don’t leave him outside for long in the cold. If you do keep your dog outside this fall, make sure he has a warm shelter to go into at night, and bring him inside during storms or when temperatures get too low. Winter may be approaching, but autumn is the transitional month and the temperature is already beginning to get colder.

2. Watch for ticks and fleas!

Even though the temps are beginning to fall, that doesn’t mean the pests aren’t still out and about. Make sure to treat your pet for ticks and fleas all year long.

3. Keep an eye on the candy bowl!

No matter what type of candy fills your bowl, there’s no way it will be healthy for your dog. As we all know, chocolate, especially baking and dark chocolate, is poisonous to dogs. Other candy containing artificial sweeteners is also toxic. To be safe, don’t feed your dog any candy or sweets. Even if it doesn’t contain a toxic substance, the sugar can be bad for your dog’s health and teeth!

4. Keep the water coming.

Summer may have been the month where you needed to drink lots of water, but don’t stop now! Make sure your dog always has clean drinking water available. If his water is left outside, make sure it doesn’t freeze when it gets cold.

5. Don’t accidentally poison your pet!

Aside from the chocolate that’s usually in some part of the house in the fall and over the holidays, rat poison and other rodenticides are often left out as well. When it starts to get colder outside, the rodents begin seeking shelter and attempt to make their way inside. Be very careful where you place any rodenticides, whether in your garage or inside the house. If your dog ingests any of this poison, the results could be fatal. Be extremely careful and smart when handling rodenticides, and make sure you place them far out of your pet’s reach.

6. The autumn season is mushroom season!

Keep an eye on your dog whenever you take him outside. Fall is a mushroom season, and while most mushrooms are harmless, a small percentage of them are deadly. Don’t allow your dog to eat wild mushrooms and risk his safety. If your dog does ingest a mushroom, call your vet or visit the Animal Poison Control Center on ASPCA’s website for tips on what to do.

7. Watch out for Snakes!

Autumn is the time when snakes prepare for their winter hibernation. Keep your dog out of long grasses to avoid a run-in with an angry reptile. You don’t want your pet to be severely bitten because he’s in the wrong place at the wrong time.

8. Keep your coolant in mind.

It’s common for people to change their engine coolant in the fall before winter hits. Be careful when you do, however, because leaving behind a spill could be dangerous for your pet. Coolants can be highly toxic, so be sure to wipe up any spills, and be careful about where you leave any vehicle fluids.

9. Be Mindful of your dog’s foods!

Ahhh, the scents of autumn – cinnamon, spices, apples, candy corn, smoky fires, pumpkins, and earthy leaves. For many people, the scents of fall are their favorite part but don’t forget that not everything is safe for your partner. Always supervise your Service Dog around candles, bonfires, sweets, hot drinks or anything else that may not be safe.

10. Watch out for dangerous things!

The leaves are changing, from vibrant summer green to gracefully warm autumn orange and red. Lawns covered in leaves, parks, and pathways can hide potential dangers, like sharp rocks or broken glass that can hurt your furry pal.