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12:00 AM 12th October 2024
nature

Warning To Dog Owners To ‘Watch Out’ For 7 Seasonal Hazards This Autumn

 
Image by Joshua Choate from Pixabay
Image by Joshua Choate from Pixabay
As the seasons take a turn, we’re all enjoying winding down for the autumn and winter months. However, an expert has warned pet owners to stay ‘vigilant’ as the autumn and winter season can actually bring with it various hazards for your pets…

Below, Katie McCaul, Pet Nutritionist and dog expert at fresh, insect-based dog food brand Tuggs, has shared 7 hazards pet owners should watch out for - and why.

Katie says:
“Autumn can be a great time of year to spend time with your dog and get outside to try a new walking trail. However, there are several hazards that arise in the winter months that can be dangerous to your dog, so it’s important to stay vigilant and know the dangers.”


Katie goes on to share the 7 hazards to watch out for:

Hazard 1: October bulbs


While autumnal plants and bulbs might look great in your garden, some of them can be lethal to your dog.

The flowers on an Amaryllis are often popular over the winter months, as they bloom in bright shades of red and are often planted in October.

However, the bulb of the flowers contain a compound called lycorine, which when ingested can cause symptoms such as drooling, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in dogs.

While dogs will need to ingest a large amount before toxicity occurs, play it safe and ensure to keep your autumn wreath well out of reach.

Hazard 2: Conkers and acorns

It’s the season of fallen conkers on the ground, however Katie warns why you should always discourage your dog from engaging with these items.

Conkers contain a toxin called aesculin, which can cause stomach upsets. Similarly, acorns contain tannins, which can also cause stomach issues or in rare cases, liver and kidney damage.

Never display conkers around the home if you are a dog owner, as your pet may decide to play with them while you’re out and accidentally swallow one, leading to severe damage to their bowels.

Hazard 3: Fallen leaves

While leaf piles may seem like fun for your dog to walk through, they conceal hidden dangers such as metal, glass or ticks.

If you do find a bush tick on your dog, it is important to remove it quickly. Bush ticks can cause skin irritation and can also transmit potentially fatal diseases when they bite (e.g. babesiosis).

To remove a tick, use tweezers to carefully grip the tick and pull it straight up. Make sure not to pull at an angle from your dog's skin, as this may cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin.

Katie goes on to warn how damp leaves can also cause mould growth, a key danger for your dog…

While hidden dangers are often concealed in piles of leaves, damp leaves can also cause mould growth, which produces tremorgenic mycotoxins, which are very toxic to dogs. If ingested by your dog, it can cause sickness, body tremors and even seizures in some cases.

Always steer clear of leaf piles and stick to clear paths to walk on.

Hazard 4: Autumn Crocuses

Autumn crocuses are described as goblet-like flowers which grow a few centimetres out of the ground. They typically appear in a purple colour with golden-yellow stamens.

You should keep your dog close if you begin to notice them sniffing around this flower because it can cause gastrointestinal upset for your dog.

This may lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, or other unpleasant symptoms.

Hazard 5: Pest poison

Pests can be a common nuisance in the colder months leading to homeowners placing more poison on the ground to help deter mice and rats.

Ingestion of pesticides is common in dogs, as it can be so easy to reach for them.

Toxicity from pesticide poisoning can range from mild to life threatening - depending on how much was ingested.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, irritation to the skin or eyes, breathing problems and seizures.

To avoid the likelihood of this happening, make sure to monitor where you place pesticide around your home. If you do place it around the perimeter of your home, keep track of where this is and take your dog out on a lead to control where they explore.

The same goes for lawn and garden products such as herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides. Make sure to keep them in a secure place pets cannot access.

Hazard 6: Halloween treats

With Halloween around the corner (31st October), ensuring chocolate and treats are monitored around your pet is key - as these can be toxic to your furry friend.

Chocolate contains a chemical called 'theobromine', which is toxic to dogs, as they can’t break it down properly which leads to a slower rate of metabolism.

Cooking chocolate and dark chocolate contain the largest amounts of cocoa with extremely high levels of theobromine – reportedly ranging from 450-1600 mg per 100 g. These levels are extremely dangerous for dogs, very possibly fatal too, even if only a small portion is consumed.

It can take several hours for symptoms to appear, and it’s important to spot them if they occur. At lower doses around 20 mg/kg, the initial signs may become visible – symptoms can include:

Hyperactivity or irritability
A sore and tender stomach
Increased urination
Vomiting
Diarrhoea

Doses of 40 mg or 60 mg can cause symptoms such as rapid breathing, racing heart, seizures or muscle twitching.

If you spot these signs, or see your dog eat chocolate, urgent treatment may be needed so contact your vet as soon as possible for advice.

Hazard 7: Halloween decorations

And it’s not just Halloween treats that can be dangerous.

Many Halloween decorations such as string lights, small ornaments and fake cobwebs all pose a choking hazard to your pet.

Take caution if your dog or puppy is particularly curious by making sure decorations are securely fastened and out of reach, ensuring they are not left alone with these hazards.

For more information on Tuggs, visit here: https://www.tuggs.uk/