Top Hazards Dog Owners Should be Aware of This Fall
For dog owners, the fall is a time for fun in the leaves and cozy cuddles on the couch. Knowing what hazards could potentially harm a dog’s health will help ensure that your fall season is a happy and festive one. Here are the top hazards that dog owners should be aware of this fall.
Haloween Candy
Haloween candy is delicious for humans, but it can potentially cause some serious problems for dogs. This is because ingredients like chocolate and the artificial sweetener xylitol are toxic to dogs.
Even if a candy does not contain chocolate or xylitol, it is not a good idea to give it to them. This is because high amounts of sugar can damage a dog’s health, especially when eaten in high amounts.
Thanksgiving Scraps
Though some thanksgiving scraps are fine for dogs to eat, foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt are unhealthy for pets. More importantly though, cooked turkey bones can cause choking or bowel obstruction.
Commonly used ingredients like onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins are also toxic to dogs. Therefore, it is a good idea to hold the table scraps until you know for sure that it is safe to feed your dog.
Glow Sticks
Glow sticks contain toxic chemicals on the inside that can be toxic for both pets and humans when ingested. This means that glow sticks can become a real hazard for dogs when they chew on them. If you have a dog that loves to chew, it is a good idea to keep glow sticks well out of their reach.
Candles
We all love a nice candle in the fall, but it can pose a hazard for dog owners. Dogs can easily knock candles over and accidentally burn themselves or cause a fire. Similarly, some ingredients included in candles can be toxic to dogs. Here are some candle ingredients that dog owners should steer clear of.
- Lead
- Paraffin
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Acrolein
- Acetaldehyde
- Toluene
The good news is that there are many candle companies that make pet-friendly candles out of natural ingredients. These candles are usually made out of beeswax or soy wax.
Essential Oils and Natural Scents
There are also natural scents that can be toxic for our dogs. These scents are made out of essential oils, and they can be in candles, air fresheners, and perfumes. Here is a list of essential oils that are toxic to dogs.
- Lavender
- Cinnamon
- Peppermint
- Lemon and Orange
- Pine
- Thyme
- Juniper
- Sweet Birch
- Clove
- Ylang Ylang
- Anise
- Yarrow
- Tea Tree
- Winter Green
- Pennyroyal
Outdoor Critters and Plants
There are some outdoor animals and plants that come out in the fall. When out on walks you should always be aware of animals like rodents and snakes. Even when dead these animals can pose harm to dogs. This is because rodenticides and other toxins could very well be in a dead rodent’s body.
Some plants can also be harmful to dogs. Here are some things to keep your dogs away from when outdoors this fall.
- Acorns
- Mold (Particularly moldy leaves)
- Mushrooms
- Chrysanthemums
- Autumn Crocuses