What Should Pet Parents Watch for During the Fall?

Fall brings cooler temperatures, more time outside and plenty of seasonal fun, but it can also introduce new risks for dogs and cats. Common fall pet hazards include wild mushrooms, antifreeze, rodenticides, ticks, wildlife encounters, colder temperatures and reduced visibility as daylight hours get shorter.

The good news? A little awareness can help you and your pet enjoy the season safely.

Here are seven things every pet parent should have on their radar this fall.

1. Wild Mushrooms Can Be Dangerous to Pets

Those mushrooms popping up in your yard or along your favorite walking trail may look harmless, but some wild mushrooms can be toxic to dogs and cats. Because it can be extremely difficult to tell a toxic mushroom from a safe one just by looking at it, the safest approach is to prevent your pet from eating any unidentified wild mushroom.

Toxic mushrooms can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to seizures, liver or kidney damage and other serious complications.

What should you do if your dog eats a wild mushroom?

If you see your dog or cat eat a wild mushroom:

• Move your pet away from the area.
• If possible, safely take a photo of the mushroom.
• Contact your veterinarian right away.
• Do not wait for symptoms to appear before seeking guidance.

ASPCA Poison Control advises pet parents to contact a veterinarian or poison-control resource if a pet consumes an unidentified wild mushroom.

Pet Parent Tip: Check your yard regularly, especially after periods of rain, and remove mushrooms before your dog has the opportunity to investigate.

2. Antifreeze Requires Immediate Attention

Cooler weather often means people begin winterizing cars, garages and outdoor equipment. That makes fall an important time to be aware of antifreeze and engine coolant.

Products containing ethylene glycol can be highly toxic to pets. Even a relatively small exposure can become a medical emergency, which is why spills should always be cleaned up immediately and containers should be stored somewhere pets cannot access them.

Signs of possible antifreeze poisoning can include:

• Vomiting
• Weakness or lethargy
• Lack of coordination
• Increased thirst or urination
• Changes in behavior

If you believe your pet may have licked or ingested antifreeze, contact a veterinarian immediately. Do not wait to see whether symptoms develop.

3. Rodenticides Can Put Dogs and Cats at Risk

As temperatures drop, mice and other rodents may look for warmer places to shelter. That often means an increase in the use of mouse and rat poisons around homes, garages and sheds. Unfortunately, rodenticides can also be extremely dangerous to pets.

Different types of rodenticides work differently, which means symptoms and treatment can vary depending on the product involved. Some can cause internal bleeding, neurological problems or damage to internal organs.

If you use rodent-control products, make sure they are completely inaccessible to your pets.

And remember: “pet resistant” does not necessarily mean pet proof.

If you think your pet may have eaten rodent poison, contact your veterinarian immediately and, if possible, have the product packaging available. Knowing the active ingredient can help your veterinary team determine the appropriate next steps.

4. Fleas and Ticks Don’t Necessarily Disappear When Summer Ends

Cooler weather does not automatically mean flea and tick season is over.

Tick activity varies by species, geography and weather conditions, and some ticks can remain active throughout the year. The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends year-round tick control rather than relying only on seasonal prevention.

That means fall hikes, walks through tall grass and afternoons playing in the leaves can still result in exposure.

Help protect your pet by:

• Keeping up with veterinarian-recommended flea and tick prevention.
• Checking your pet after walks through wooded, grassy or brush-covered areas.
• Looking around the ears, neck, feet, between the toes and other places ticks may hide.
• Keeping grass and shrubs maintained around your home.
• Talking with your veterinarian about parasite risks where you live or travel.

Your veterinarian can help you determine which preventive approach makes sense for your pet based on their lifestyle and local risk.

5. Wildlife Encounters May Become More Common

Your dog may think that interesting smell at the edge of the yard deserves further investigation. You may disagree. Fall can bring pets into contact with snakes and other wildlife while animals prepare for changing weather and winter.

Depending on where you live, outdoor adventures could mean encounters with snakes, skunks, porcupines or other wild animals. The best protection is often prevention.

Keep dogs leashed when exploring unfamiliar areas, stay on established trails and avoid allowing pets to investigate holes, thick brush or wildlife.

What if your pet is bitten or injured by wildlife?

Contact your veterinarian promptly.

Some wounds may look minor from the outside while causing more significant injury beneath the skin. Wildlife encounters can also introduce concerns about infection, venom or disease exposure depending on the animal involved.

6. Shorter Days Mean More Walks in the Dark

One fall hazard has nothing to do with toxins.

It simply gets dark earlier.

Morning and evening walks may happen in lower-light conditions, making pets harder for drivers, cyclists and other people to see.

Consider using:

• Reflective collars, harnesses or leashes
• A light attached to your dog’s collar
• Reflective clothing for yourself
• A flashlight when walking after dark

Make sure your pet’s identification information is also current. A properly fitted collar with an ID tag and an up-to-date microchip can make a major difference if a pet gets loose. Fall is a good reminder to check that the phone number and contact information associated with your pet’s microchip are still correct.

7. Cooler Weather Can Affect Pets Differently

That first crisp fall morning might feel fantastic after a hot summer, but not every pet handles cooler temperatures the same way. Puppies and kittens, senior pets, small dogs, short-haired breeds and pets with certain medical conditions may be more sensitive to colder temperatures.

You may also notice that older dogs or pets with mobility concerns seem stiffer when temperatures drop. Pay attention to your individual pet rather than assuming every dog or cat will be comfortable outside for the same amount of time.

If you notice new stiffness, limping, difficulty getting up, reluctance to exercise or other changes in mobility, talk with your veterinarian. Changes that seem like “just getting older” can sometimes be signs that your pet would benefit from an exam or additional support.

When Should I Call My Veterinarian?

Some fall pet hazards require immediate veterinary attention.

Contact your veterinarian promptly if your pet:

• Eats a wild mushroom
• May have been exposed to antifreeze
• Ingests or may have ingested rodent poison
• Is bitten by a snake or injured by wildlife
• Develops sudden vomiting, tremors, weakness or unusual behavior
• Has difficulty breathing
• Collapses or experiences a seizure
• Shows a sudden, significant change in mobility or behavior

When you are unsure whether something is an emergency, call your veterinary team. They can help you determine what your pet needs next.

A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way

Fall should mean longer walks, crisp mornings, leaves to chase and more time enjoying the outdoors together. It should not mean spending the season worrying about everything your pet might get into. Knowing the most common seasonal risks can help you prevent many problems before they happen.

Take a few minutes this fall to check your yard for mushrooms, safely store seasonal chemicals and rodenticides, keep parasite prevention current and make sure your pet’s identification information is up to date. And if something about your pet just doesn’t seem right, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Your veterinarian is one of your best resources for understanding what is normal, what deserves attention and how to keep your pet healthy through every season.

Need to check in on your pet’s health this fall?

Whether you have a question, noticed a change or simply want to make sure your pet is ready for the season ahead, your CareVet veterinary team is here to help.

Find a CareVet hospital near you and schedule an appointment.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Pet Safety

What are the biggest fall dangers for dogs?

Common fall dangers for dogs include wild mushrooms, antifreeze, rodenticides, fleas and ticks, wildlife encounters and reduced visibility during early-morning or evening walks.

Are ticks still active in the fall?

Yes. Tick activity depends on the species, location and weather, and exposure can occur beyond the summer months. Veterinary parasite experts recommend year-round tick prevention for pets.

Are mushrooms in my yard poisonous to dogs?

Some wild mushrooms are toxic while many others are not. Because identifying mushroom species can be difficult, pet parents should prevent dogs from eating unidentified wild mushrooms and contact a veterinarian if ingestion occurs.

What should I do if my dog drinks antifreeze?

Treat potential antifreeze exposure as an emergency. Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource immediately rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.

Should I stop flea and tick prevention in the fall?

Do not stop your pet’s parasite prevention simply because temperatures are getting cooler. Parasite risk varies by location and lifestyle, and year-round prevention is commonly recommended. Talk with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s prevention plan.

Why does my older dog seem stiffer when the weather gets cooler?

Some pet parents notice mobility changes as temperatures change. However, limping, stiffness, difficulty rising or reluctance to exercise can also be associated with pain or orthopedic conditions. If you notice a change in your pet’s mobility, schedule an examination with your veterinarian.