Apple cinnamon, pumpkin spice vanilla. Amazing scents come to mind as we regroup after the warm summer in The Commonwealth! A great place to start is the pet care aisle or pet supply store. There are tons of options for your best friend’s general care. Everything from seasonal treats with these warm flavors that are safe and healthy for cats and dogs, various brushes and combs to themed collars and leashes so their daily walk or social hour is done in style!. The fall season may be a great time to refresh any frayed collars or leashes after the wear and tear of summer pool time.
Cinnamon season is a perfect time for a deep cleanse or groom, as the fur and coat hair phases change in preparation for a new season. Getting rid of old fur is a great way to decrease allergens for you and your pet in your home.
Purchasing a dog or cat bed is also a thoughtful idea, as many pets spend more time on them once the weather chills. There are many memory foam and comfy beds out there for aging pets with sore joints. That being said, the fall for many can be a time for arthritis to rear its head. Ask your veterinarian about proper assessment, joint mobility management, and treatment options. As in the human world, our furry family members can be managed with many pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical successful options alike.
While visiting the vet’s office, have the care team ensure your pet’s microchip identification is current to prevent them from getting lost. Fall is a great time to have your veterinary team check the chip or put one in! A microchip is placed once and can be read by a universal scanner. Microchips are the size of a grain of rice and are placed under the haired-skin. They are harmless, literal lifesavers! They do migrate around, but that is not concerning.
Getting the crate out to use again because your schedule has changed? Clean it out first, no matter if stored in a basement, garage, shed, or barn. Storage in these dark spaces can be great places for spiders and other creepy-crawlies (who bite!) to set up shop, too. As the “sweata weatha” appears, be aware of outdoor potential dangers for your pets. This list can include any of the following: new/returning wildlife as they plan on nesting for the winter, rodenticides, liquid cleaning products, and baits and traps for rodents.
Stagnant run-off water should always be off limits, as it can provide not only breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit heartworm, but also algae that can cause gastrointestinal issues too, if ingested.
Keep items like acorns, walnuts, and mushrooms out of reach. Nuts and their shells can cause potential issues if digested. Additionally, keep outdoor treatment products like rodenticides out of reach always.
It is recommended to continue wellness care and maintain your pet’s flea, tick, and heartworm prevention year-round, especially as the weather cools. Fleas are very hearty and almost live year-round, just like mosquitoes in Bluegrass Country. Enjoy the changing fall leaves and scenery every day with your four-legged family members. They love their time with you!
Written by Brigette Dean-Hines, DVM
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