For many dogs, theAutumn it’s a welcome change from the hot summer. Swimming and sunbathing are obviously a lot of fun, but the heat can be very exhausting for our four-legged friends.
Now it’s time again for quiet evenings and long hikes, but beware: even in the slightly cooler seasonthere are dangers for your four-legged friend.
Things to keep in mind for the dog in November
Watch out for Fido’s paws!
Instead of running on hot asphalt, the sensitive paws now walk on spiky chestnut thorns, small branches, or solid pieces of foliage.
Therefore, look at the dog’s paws after each walk to remove any unsightly foreign bodies.
Change of … coat!
When it is cold, our dogs wear their typical “winter clothes”. Long-haired furry friends, in particular, have a thick winter undercoat that keeps them warm and dry on the outside, even on uncomfortable cold days.
It is possible to support the change of hair through a regular brushing and therefore also remove dead hair and promote blood circulation.
Help against the cold is indispensable for some!
Not all dogs have a long, thick coat that protects them from the cold outside. Most sickly and older dogs, in particular, need to wear a dog sweater or coat as early as the fall.
Even dogs with short hair and no undercoat (e.g. Greyhounds or Weimaraners), who often suffer from the cold, are kept warm this way.
The clothing chosen, in any case, it must fit well and must not restrict the animal in its movements.
Fleas, ticks and crop mites do not hibernate
No, the end of summer doesn’t mean the end of fleas and ticks. Because in autumn there is an even greater danger from falling leaves and dense foliage on the ground.
Therefore, you should always have tick tweezers on hand and make sure your pet is protected from fleas and ticks.
The crop mite also targets our animal companions during this time. The larvae of this mite mainly infest the thin skin between the dog’s toes and cause problems. It is often helpful to wash the dog’s paws after a walk in nature.
However, if you notice signs of frequent paw gnawing, you should immediately look for orange spots. If an autumn grass mite infection occurs, the dog should be taken to the vet.
It’s dark first, let me see you!
The days are getting shorter and shorter and the daily sunshine hours are decreasing. Walks in the dark are therefore not always avoidable. It is important to keep your four-legged friend on a leash, especially in places with traffic or dark areas such as woods and fields.
There are several solutions for your dog, ranging from rechargeable luminous collars to reflective leashes, through to luminous clothing. For your safety, you can also use a small flashlight when out and about.
Physical activity is decreasing
With darker days and cold weather, you may find that your dog may not get as much exercise as in the summer.
You should therefore keep an eye on your weight and diet of your four-legged friend to avoid obesity.
Beware of antifreeze
In the cooler months of the year there is a risk of serious chemical accidents with antifreeze leaking from the car radiator. Ingesting the ethylene glycol it contains is very dangerous. It tastes sweet and even a relatively small amount can cause severe kidney damage and be fatal.
The first sign of poisoning can make your dog look drunk. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you find him in this state.
Feeding in November: what can and cannot be put in the dog’s bowl?
As in October, the harvest is still rich in red berries, apples, pears and nuts. As well as potatoes and other root vegetables such as carrots, beets and squash.
But let’s see everything in detail.
Macadamia nuts
Make sure you keep nuts out of the reach of your favorite, because as little as 2 grams of macadamia nuts per kilogram of body weight can cause symptoms of poisoning.
For a dog weighing 15 kilograms, this equates to about 4 walnuts. In addition to allergic reactions and seizures, consumption can cause painful poisoning. If your dog accidentally eats one of the nuts, he will carefully observe these symptoms and consult a veterinarian if necessary.
Beet
Beetroot tastes extremely good and provides numerous vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on health. It ensures healthy skin, a shiny coat and a strong immune system.
Red root vegetables are also low in calories and are made up of nearly 90% water, so they are also suitable for overweight four-legged friends.
Grapes and raisins
Dogs cannot eat grapes under any circumstances. This applies to all varieties and types, regardless of whether they are green, red, white, blue, dried or seedless. Consumption leads to unpleasant symptoms and even just ten grams of fruit per ten kilograms of body weight can be fatal.
Raisins for four-legged friends are even more poisonous than grapes: three grams are enough for ten kilograms of body weight to be deadly.
If a four-legged friend has eaten grapes, symptoms such as:
- He retched;
- stomach cramps;
- tremors;
- diarrhea;
- kidney failure.
If this happens, go to the vet right away.
Chocolate
Chocolate is found in almost all households. It can happen that the dog eats something secretly. However, this one contains theobrominea toxic substance to dogs, which causes severe symptoms in the body and can lead to death, so consult a veterinarian if necessary!
gingerbread
The Christmas season brings with it a lot of goodies, including, of course, gingerbread. This definitely doesn’t have to go into the dog bowl! Not only is it difficult for dogs to digest, but in the worst case, consumption can even have fatal consequences. This is because most products contain cocoa or are covered in chocolate.
The cookies also contain sugar, fats and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, which are also poorly tolerated and harmful to the health of dogs.
Always keep in mind!
Most dogs tend to feel everything that comes under their nose. Pay attention to what it can consume, what it does not, and most importantly, what amount is suitable.
To protect your dog and prevent possible poisoning, you should always keep toxic food out of his reach.