Autumn With Fido

Autumn holidays can be enjoyable for Man’s Best Friend, but they can also be harmful. Seasonal meals and trappings, weather, and even costumes can all be hazardous to your canine companion. Continue reading as a local Brampton, ON veterinarian discusses some of the intricacies of celebrating fall with your pet companion.

Is It Safe to Dress Your Dog?

Many dogs are more comfortable with sweaters or jackets when it’s cold out. That will eventually be determined by a variety of factors. The outfit is, obviously, the most important factor, but you should also consider your pet’s size, temperament, and health.

Here are a few points to consider:

Ensure A Good Fit: Make sure your canine companion’s attire fits him properly. If it’s too huge, he can tumble or become entangled in it, injuring himself. A too-small costume or sweater may limit his movements and respiration, and it may also create sores or blisters. And whether it’s too big or too little, it’ll most certainly be uncomfortable and stressful for your pooch.

Take your dog’s measurements before purchasing anything, whether you’re ordering an outfit for him online or going shopping in person. You should measure his torso, tummy, and neck circumferences, as well as his shoulder height and spine length. It’s probably a good idea to photograph the numbers and save them to your phone so you’ll always have them with you.

Fabric: Material is also an important consideration. You don’t want to place your pet in something excessively hot or irritating. Flammable fabrics are also a big no-no. Choose a breathable and comfy material. 

Safety: Keep in mind that dogs have a voracious hunger and may try to taste, chew, or consume, well, everything. This may be cute, but can also be deadly. This is something to think about while choosing décor, but it also plays a role when selecting your pup’s wardrobe. Avoid anything that has small parts, such as buttons. Your dog may try to eat them, which can be dangerous. We also advise against anything with zippers. Your pet’s fur could become entangled, which could potentially cause an injury.

Temperament: You will also need to think about your pet’s personality. Some of our canine buddies are pretty bombproof and will not blink an eye if you put a costume or sweater on them. Others are really tense and/or reactive, and they will be upset about wearing clothing. Don’t push your pet to wear an outfit if he is visibly unhappy with it.

You should also exercise caution with Fido if he is particularly active. If he is a bouncy ball of zoom, the chances of him getting stuck on something increase.

Coat: Consider your pet’s fur length and thickness. A dog with very thin fur may welcome the added warmth of an extra layer, but a dog with a thick coat, such as a husky, will quickly overheat. That doesn’t mean Fido can’t join in holiday festivities! He may be better off with something simple for Halloween, such as antlers or a nice tie or bandana.

Last but not least, have fun with your pet. Fido has donned a variety of adorable—and sometimes hilarious—Halloween outfits over the years. He’s portrayed a variety of characters, including spiders, bananas, goats, dinosaurs, Mario, Willie Nelson, and the Pope. The list is endless and grows funnier each year. He also looks pretty cute in Christmas sweaters and antlers! 

Having Visitors

That ultimately depends on the dog, but you’ll need to take a few steps to keep him comfortable. If your pet is aggressive, reactive, or afraid, keep the porch lights turned off.

Trick or treating can be stressful for dogs for a variety of reasons. For starters, many dogs are instinctively protective of their homes and humans, barking or growling when strangers approach. That is OK if you only have a few visitors, but a regular stream of dressed visitors may be a bit much. Of course, Halloween parties aren’t the only gathering that could upset your pet. There are also holiday parties, football game watch parties, and other festivities.

You could also look at some products that help with relaxing dogs. Pet-calming goods include shirts, treats, collars, and sprays.

Another alternative is to place Fido in a quiet back room. Give him comfortable bedding and a toy or chew to keep him occupied, and turn on the TV or radio to drown out the noise.

What Are The Other Autumn Safety Concerns?

Costumes and trick-or-treaters aren’t the only things to be mindful of. Our canine companions never run out of opportunities to get into mischief!

Here are a few more things to be cautious about:

Food

Those sweet goodies can be dangerous—and even fatal—to our canine companions. Many of these holiday candies include harmful chemicals for dogs. This contains chocolate, caffeine, raisins, and xylitol, sometimes known as birch sugar. Small hard candies and candy wrappers may also cause your dog to choke. Keep that candy dish away from paws!

Food will also be a concern as the holidays approach. It’s fine to give your canine pal a special treat, but take care to only offer things that you know are safe for him. Plain, boneless meat, fish, or chicken is usually fine, as long as you’ve removed the skin, bones, and fat. Many fruits and veggies are also safe. Green beans, spinach, sweet potato,  pumpkin, and apple slices are a few options. Just be sure to check with your vet before giving your pup anything. 

Decorations

When it comes to decorating, keep your dog in mind. Everything small and pointy is a potential hazard. Heavy chewers can also choke or hurt themselves on fragile items, such as a cardboard-and-plastic sign or a small nicnac Anything that requires a cord or batteries is likewise dangerous for Fido, as are long and stringy materials such as ropes or cords.

You should also exercise caution around flames and candles. They may make your home seem nice and cozy, but are definitely not pet-safe. Use grates before fireplaces and burn candles in high, secure spots, well out of paws’ reach. 

Traffic

Halloween provides an increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic. You’ll also just be walking your pet at night a lot more than usual. It’s important to make sure that you and Fido are easy to spot. Wear bright, reflective clothing while taking your pet out after dark.

If you have a yard for Fido to chase squirrels in, don’t leave him out there unaccompanied at night. There’s just too much potential for trouble.

Grooming

Fall is a peak shedding time. Your canine pal may make a bit of a mess as he is changing from his summer outfit into a winter coat. Get into the habit of brushing him daily. Don’t forget those pawdicures, either! Use paw balm or wax on those toe beans, and keep your furry friend’s claws trimmed.

For further information, ask your Brampton, ON veterinarian.

Make An Appointment At Our Brampton, ON Pet Clinic

Happy Halloween, everyone! Is your pet due for a check-up, immunizations, or parasite control? Please contact our nearest Brampton, ON pet hospital at any time. We are always happy to help!