The fall season is a wonderful time for people (and pets) to spend time outdoors. Everyone tends to spend a bit of time cleaning up lawns, backyards, and properties, not to mention sprucing things up before the upcoming holiday season and winter. It’s also cool enough to enjoy some good, old-fashioned football or baseball, or maybe even a good, long hike, without working up a sweat.
Unfortunately, some of the things we do during the fall months can be hazardous to our pets. Even that brief time in the backyard can be risky – without you even realizing it is in the first place. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your yard remains a safe environment.
Don’t Blow Leaves at Your Pets
There’s something incredibly amusing about watching a dog chase leaves that are blowing in the wind. Your dog may look like he’s having a ton of fun, and quite frankly, he probably is. But leaf blowers are bad news.
Don’t give in to the temptation to use your leaf blower to play with him. Why? Leaf blowers have to use a lot of power to blow the leaves where you want them to go. This means they’ll pick up rocks, sticks, and other debris hiding in the leaves and toss them at your pet. The force of the leaf blower could cause your pup to be injured by a flying object. The force itself isn’t even always the issue, either; it takes just one tiny flying twig to seriously injure his eye or cause permanent vision loss.
Put Your Leaf Piles in a Safe Place
Animals also love leaf piles – running through them, rolling in them, and sometimes even stopping for a nap. The problem is that bugs love these piles, too. Your dog is more likely to pick up fleas and ticks if he spends time playing in the underbrush.
The fix? Pile your leaves up in an area where your pets can’t reach them or leave them outside the doggie gate until the yard work is finished. If you do want to indulge her once or twice, make sure she’s treated with parasite preventatives and check her over well afterward.
Clear Your Yard of Mushrooms
Wild mushrooms flourish during the fall months, especially in areas that are more moist than others (like around trees or in mulch). Mushrooms and other plants can be toxic to animals, so try to remove them from your yard as soon as you see them.
The ASPCA has a comprehensive list of plants that may be toxic to animals. It’s worth browsing from time to time to see if plants common to your area are on it. VetStreet also has a guide to wild mushrooms – you may find it helpful in identifying whether or not the ones you commonly see in your yard are dangerous.
Be Aware of Fleas & Ticks
Speaking of pesky fleas and ticks, make sure your pet is treated with a preventative if they’ll be spending time outside – even if it’s just to go to the bathroom. Ask your vet about which flea and tick preventative is best for your geographic area.
Keeping your lawn cut short makes it difficult for bugs to thrive in your yard. Even though pesticides often work, you should try to avoid chemical lawn sprays. Your pets are smaller and closer to the ground than you are, which means they’re more likely to roll around in the chemicals you apply.
Consider creating a 2 to 3-foot wide border around your lawn, covering it with gravel or cedar chips, as ticks like to travel in grass. Setting up the border makes it harder for pests to travel inward from outside sources.
Pet Proof Your Garage
Do you spend a lot of time out in the yard or in the garage? Do you have outdoor cats you allow into the garage for shelter in the winter? Clean up the garage so that it is a safe environment for your four-legged friends. Make sure that sharp tools are stored safely and that chemicals are locked away in cabinets.
Don’t forget to put some food and water dishes out for your pets as well. There are heated dog bowls you can use to make sure water doesn’t freeze when the temperatures really dip down low. You may even want to get a heated bed. There are heated bed pads made specifically for pets that don’t get as hot as a heated blanket designed for humans and don’t use as much electricity at all!
Keep Your Pets Away from Fertilizers
Fall is a great time to treat your yard with fertilizer and herbicides, but pets are for some reasons very attracted to them. Organic isn’t always better in this case, either (dogs often LOVE the smell of poop, so even sheep or chicken manure might be out). Look for pet-safe products and always check the instructions to ensure they are properly diluted. Clean up any spilled materials right away and lock up all extras in a safe place.
Use Safe Mulch Products
Your dog will probably want to play in the mulch as you are putting it down but be careful that he isn’t trying to eat it, as it can make him sick. Do not use cocoa mulch if you have pets, period. This type of mulch has a chemical compound in it similar to the one that makes chocolate unsafe for pets. Call your vet right away if your dog ingests this dangerous mulch while you are out and about. Use a different type of mulch on your own property.
Be Conscious of Rodent Traps
Mice and other rodents are drawn towards warmth, so they tend to try to get into homes during the fall months. While it may be tempting to stop at the home supply store to pick up some traps or baits, it’s important to remember that rodenticides are poison and can cause extreme illness or death. Call a professional if you need help finding a pet-friendly way to treat your home.
Pets & Winter Toxins
As fall turns to winter, there are a few other things you should keep in mind. Make sure you aren’t spilling antifreeze in your driveway when you are checking your car – it has a very sweet smell that attracts both dogs and cats. Also, whatever you use to de-ice the ground can get into your pet’s paws, so regularly check them and/or wipe them off after spending time outside. Paw balm for dogs can help, and you can even make it at home!
The change of seasons can be incredibly fun, but only if we’re conscious of our pets. A few simple, mindful steps will ensure your pet is safe in the yard. Enjoy the gorgeous weather, walks, jogs, and games of frisbee in the yard while you still can. The harsh winter months will be here before you know it.