Crunchy leaves, cooler walks, cosy evenings and pumpkin everything — there is a lot to love about autumn with our dogs.
But the change in season also changes some of the things our dogs are exposed to. Damp weather brings out mushrooms, slugs and harvest mites, fallen conkers become irresistible toys and, back at home, candles, seasonal drinks and Halloween treats start appearing.
That doesn’t mean autumn needs to become a season of worry. Most risks can be easily reduced simply by knowing what to look out for.
Here are some of the most common autumn dangers for dogs — including a few you might not have thought about.
1. Conkers and acorns aren't dog toys
For some dogs, autumn walks become one enormous game of “what can I pick up next?”
Unfortunately, conkers are better left on the ground.
Conkers contain aesculin, which can cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten. Their size and shape also mean they can present a choking risk or cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed.
Acorns can cause similar problems, including digestive upset, and larger amounts may be more concerning. Like conkers, they can also become a physical obstruction if swallowed.
If your dog loves carrying things on walks, take a favourite toy or some small treats with you so you can encourage them to swap their woodland treasure for something safer.
2. Mushrooms start popping up everywhere
Cooler, wetter weather creates ideal conditions for fungi, which is why mushrooms and toadstools can suddenly seem to appear overnight in gardens, parks and woodland.
Many are harmless, but some mushrooms are highly toxic — and identifying individual species isn't always straightforward.
The safest rule is simply don't let your dog eat wild mushrooms
If your dog does eat an unknown mushroom, take a photograph or safely collect a sample if possible and contact your vet rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
3. Your pumpkin spice latte is not for them
It might be pumpkin season, but your pumpkin spice latte needs to remain firmly in your cup.
The main concern isn't necessarily pumpkin itself. Coffee-based drinks contain caffeine, which dogs are much more sensitive to than humans. Depending on the amount consumed, caffeine can affect the nervous system and heart and may cause restlessness, vomiting, changes in heart rate, tremors or seizures.
Pumpkin spice products may also contain ingredients such as nutmeg, chocolate or sugar-free sweeteners such as xylitol, depending on the recipe. Xylitol is particularly dangerous to dogs and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and potentially liver failure.
So let your dog enjoy autumn — just with their own seasonal treats.
Soopa's Pumpkin Spiced Latte Healthy Bites and Pumpkin Spiced Latte Dental Sticks give dogs their own pumpkin-inspired option, made specifically for them rather than sharing your coffee-shop order.
Much more fun — and nobody has to guard their latte.
4. Be sensible with scented candles
Autumn is officially scented-candle season.
Candles don't need to be banned from a dog-friendly home, but they do need a little common sense.
Firstly, there's the obvious risk of burns or a wagging tail knocking over a flame. Keep candles well above dog height and never leave them unattended.
Strong fragrances may also irritate some dogs, particularly those with existing respiratory sensitivities. Essential oils and highly concentrated fragranced products require extra care; exposure to some essential oils can cause problems through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation. Strong scents can cause signs such as coughing, watery eyes, nausea or breathing irritation in susceptible pets.
Keep rooms ventilated, don't allow your dog to lick melted wax or fragrance oils, and consider unscented or gently scented products if your dog seems bothered by strong fragrances.
And the same caution applies to autumn reed diffusers and essential-oil diffusers.
5. Autumn is not parasite-free
It's easy to associate fleas and ticks with spring and summer, but autumn doesn't mean parasite season has finished.
In fact, some parasites can become particularly noticeable at this time of year.
Harvest mites are most active between around July and November. These tiny orange mites live in grassy and woodland areas and can cause extremely itchy, inflamed skin, particularly around the feet, legs, tummy and ears.
Ticks can also have a second peak in activity during autumn in the UK, according to ESCCAP UK & Ireland, so checking your dog's coat after walks remains important.
Then there are fleas. Turning the central heating on can create exactly the warm indoor environment they enjoy. PDSA notes that flea cases can increase again in late autumn as homes warm up.
Keep parasite prevention appropriate for your individual dog's lifestyle and speak to your vet about which products and frequency are suitable.
6. Damp weather means more slugs and snails
More rain usually means more slugs and snails — and that matters because they can carry lungworm.
Dogs don't necessarily deliberately eat them. Exposure can happen when a dog eats grass or potentially comes into contact with slugs and snails while exploring outdoors.
Lungworm can cause serious illness including breathing problems, bleeding disorders and neurological symptoms, and it is now a risk across much of the UK.
It's worth checking with your vet that your dog's parasite plan specifically covers lungworm where appropriate, because not every worming product does.
Outdoor bowls and toys are worth checking too, particularly after wet weather. If you spot slug or snail trails, wash them thoroughly before your dog uses them again.
7. Watch what is hiding underneath the leaves
A huge pile of leaves might look like the perfect place for a dog to charge through — and usually it is great fun.
The problem is what you can't see.
Broken glass, cans, sharp sticks and other rubbish can disappear underneath fallen leaves or mud and cause paw injuries
Once darker mornings and evenings arrive, visibility becomes important too.
For low-light walks, consider a reflective lead, collar or harness and a small dog-safe light, particularly if you're walking near roads or cycle paths.
8. Keep dogs away from compost and mouldy windfalls
Autumn gardens can be full of fallen fruit, decomposing plants and overflowing compost heaps.
Unfortunately, mouldy food can contain mycotoxins, which can cause serious neurological symptoms including tremors and seizures. Compost can contain moulds, bacteria and decomposing food, so it needs to be somewhere your dog can't raid.
If you have fruit trees, regularly clear up fallen fruit rather than allowing it to rot on the ground.
This is especially important if your dog considers eating absolutely anything they find to be a perfectly reasonable hobby.
9. Antifreeze needs to be treated as an emergency
As temperatures drop, antifreeze and other car products start appearing more frequently.
Products containing ethylene glycol are extremely toxic to dogs (and cats) and can cause severe kidney damage even in relatively small amounts. Dogs may be exposed by drinking a spill or walking through it and licking their paws afterwards.
Keep containers securely stored, clean spillages immediately and don't allow dogs to investigate puddles around garages, driveways or parked vehicles.
Suspected exposure to antifreeze is an emergency. Contact your vet immediately rather than waiting to see whether symptoms appear.
10. Halloween brings its own hazards
Autumn also means Halloween — which can result in bowls of sweets appearing at conveniently dog-height locations.
Chocolate is toxic to dogs, while sweets and baked goods may contain xylitol, raisins, macadamia nuts or other unsuitable ingredients.
Wrappers can also become a foreign-body risk if swallowed.
Keep the human treat bowl out of reach and give your dog their own treats instead. Soopa's bite-sized Healthy Bites can be a handy way to make sure they're included in the fun without raiding the Halloween stash.
A little autumn awareness goes a long way
There are plenty of potential autumn hazards for dogs, but the aim isn't to make every muddy walk or cosy evening feel dangerous.
A few simple habits make a big difference:
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Keep coffee, chocolate and Halloween sweets out of reach.
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Prevent dogs from eating conkers, acorns and wild mushrooms.
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Continue appropriate flea, tick and worm protection through autumn ass advised by your vet.
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Check paws and coats after muddy woodland walks.
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Keep compost, rodenticides, garden chemicals and antifreeze securely stored.
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Use candles and fragranced products sensibly and keep naked flames away from curious noses and wagging tails.
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Carry some dog-friendly treats on walks so you have something much better to swap for whatever “treasure” your dog finds.
If you think your dog has eaten something poisonous you can call the Animal Poison Line.
And when the rest of the family is enjoying their pumpkin spice season?
You keep the latte.
Your dog can have the Soopa version instead .
Everybody wins.
