Autumn Trail Safety: Hidden Hazards on Your Fall Walks
Autumn is one of the best seasons for walks: cooler air, quieter trails and plenty of new smells. It also brings a few hazards that are easy to miss. Here's what to watch for, and how to keep fall walks safe.
Wild mushrooms: treat every one as off-limits
Wet autumn weather brings mushrooms up on lawns, trails and park edges. A few are deadly to dogs, and even experts struggle to tell the dangerous ones from the harmless ones, so the safest rule is simple: leave all of them alone. Signs of poisoning can take hours to appear, so don't wait for symptoms.
If your dog eats a wild mushroom, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away (a fee may apply). If you can, take a photo of the mushroom or bring a piece of it in a paper bag; it helps identify it. Fall is a good time to practise "leave it" on every walk.
Acorns: small, but not harmless
Acorns contain tannins that can upset a dog's stomach, causing vomiting or diarrhea. Whole acorns can also be a choking hazard or cause a blockage in the gut, and smaller dogs are most at risk. Steer your dog away from oak trees when the ground is covered, and call your vet if your dog has eaten several or seems unwell.
Leaf piles: fun, but look before they leap
A deep pile of leaves is irresistible, but it can hide sharp sticks, broken glass and other litter. Damp piles can grow mold, and ticks don't stop in autumn: adult ticks stay active on any day above freezing. Let your dog play in leaves you can see through, and check them for ticks after walks, especially around the ears, neck, armpits and between the toes.
Shorter days, safer walks
With the sun setting earlier, more walks happen at dusk or after dark. A few things make you both easier to see:
• A reflective harness or collar, and a reflective leash.
• A clip-on LED light on your dog's harness or collar.
• Bright or reflective clothing for you, and a flashlight or headlamp.
• A shorter leash near roads, and routes you already know.
In BarkPark, Parks Near You lists "Lighting" when a park has it, and Trails shows each trail's surface, so you can pick paved paths for evening walks.
Check their food as the season changes
Some dogs are more active once the heat breaks, with longer walks and more play; others slow down as the evenings draw in. If your dog's activity changes, their food needs can change too. Use the calculator below as a starting point, keep an eye on their weight, and ask your vet what suits your dog.
Daily calories
Enjoy the season, and see you on the trails.