Fall Hazards for Pets: What Changes When Summer Ends

As temperatures drop and the leaves start turning, the hazards facing your pet shift along with the season. Many pet owners stay vigilant through summer’s heat stroke and tick risks, then relax once cooler weather arrives — but fall hazards for pets are just as real, they’re simply different.

Here’s what changes as summer turns to fall in New Brunswick, and what to watch for.

Mushroom Season Intensifies

Cooler, damper fall weather is actually peak mushroom season in New Brunswick — more so than summer. Wild mushrooms emerge rapidly after fall rains, and the same toxic species that pose a risk in summer (including deadly Amanita species) are even more abundant in September and October. This deserves its own deeper look, which we’ll cover next week.

Antifreeze Becomes a Real Risk

As people winterize vehicles and equipment in early fall, antifreeze becomes more accessible in driveways and garages. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that attracts pets, and even small amounts are highly toxic, causing acute kidney failure. Clean up spills immediately and store containers securely.

Hunting Season Begins

Hunting season in New Brunswick brings more dogs and more people into the woods, along with increased risk of dogs getting lost, encountering hunting equipment, or being mistaken for game in areas with overlapping foot traffic. If you have an outdoor or hunting dog, fall is the time to update their visibility gear and microchip information.

Temperature Swings Are Harder on Aging Joints

Cooler, damper weather often makes arthritis and joint pain more noticeable in older pets. If your senior dog or cat seems stiffer getting up in the morning as fall arrives, this is worth mentioning at their next vet visit — there are effective management options.

Shorter Days Change Behaviour and Routine

As daylight decreases, walk schedules often shift earlier or later, which can affect visibility (both for you and drivers) and your pet’s exposure to wildlife that’s more active at dawn and dusk, including increased deer and other animal activity on roads.

Acorns and Fall Foliage

Acorns, while not as immediately dangerous as some other fall hazards, can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in large quantities, more serious blockages or tannin toxicity in dogs who eat them compulsively. Raking and disposing of fallen acorns in yards frequented by pets reduces this risk.

Conclusion

Fall hazards for pets are different from summer’s — less about heat, more about mushrooms, antifreeze, and the general busyness of the season. A little awareness as the seasons shift keeps your pet safe through the transition.