Autumn walks with your dog:
6 dangers to watch out for.
Autumn is perhaps one of the most enjoyable seasons to go out with your dog. No more scorching walks, the forest changes color, and suddenly you can walk for miles without first checking the asphalt temperature.
However, among all those autumn leaves, there are also things that you, as a dog owner, should not carelessly walk past. Acorns, mushrooms, and chestnuts reappear on the ground, and grapes are also plentiful during this period. For dogs who love to put everything they find outside to an extensive taste test, extra vigilance is required.
And believe us: no two dogs are alike.
River, in that regard, is our good boy; thankfully, he doesn't just eat anything outside. Charlie and Lewis? Sweet tooths. Strawberries, for example, are definitely approved. And Skyler belongs to category three: found on the ground = potentially edible. Twigs and acorns hold his particular interest.
That makes autumn a different game for every dog.
What dangers are there for dogs in autumn?
During an autumn walk, acorns, grapes, mushrooms, horse chestnuts, and things that can cause an obstruction are especially important to keep an eye on. Additionally, foxtails haven't completely disappeared at the end of summer, and days are getting shorter.
Not everything your dog finds outside is toxic, but some things can indeed cause poisoning, gastrointestinal issues, or obstructions.
These are six things we pay extra attention to in autumn, especially now that we still have three adolescent pups to deal with.
1. Acorns: not as innocent as they look
As soon as the first acorns fall, the annual game begins for some dog owners: "Drop it" - "Drop" - "DROP IT!"
Acorns and other parts of the oak tree contain tannins, also known as tannic acids. Eating them can cause gastrointestinal issues in dogs, among other things. Especially green, unripe acorns contain relatively high levels of tannins.
Additionally, swallowing a whole acorn can cause problems as it may get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract. This risk is, of course, greater for smaller dogs.
For Skyler, this is roughly the season when every walk turns into preventative acorn management. He's fixated on anything that crunches, rolls, or looks like it might fit in his mouth.
The fact that he recently managed to get stung by a bee on his lip will come as no great surprise to anyone who knows him.
My dog ate an acorn. What should I do?
If your dog has swallowed one or more acorns, you don't know how many he has eaten, or he develops symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or sluggishness? Then contact your vet for advice.
In case of possible poisoning, never try to make your dog vomit yourself with, for example, salt. Always follow the advice of a vet.
2. Grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs
We might find these to be the most treacherous. After all, grapes don't look dangerous at all. They are small, sweet, and healthy for humans. For dogs, it's a completely different story.
Grapes, raisins, and currants can cause severe poisoning symptoms in dogs and, in serious cases, lead to acute kidney failure.
Moreover, sensitivity varies from dog to dog. Therefore, there is no amount that you as a dog owner can simply assume is safe.
Possible symptoms after eating grapes or raisins include:
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vomiting;
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diarrhea;
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lethargy;
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loss of appetite;
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abdominal pain;
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abnormally high or low drinking and urination;
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and in severe cases, kidney problems.
My dog ate a grape. What now?
Contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not wait to see if your dog develops symptoms first.
Tell them how many grapes, raisins, or currants you think your dog has eaten and approximately when it happened. Also, be aware of products containing raisins or currants, such as currant bread, raisin bread, and certain muesli bars.
For us, this is one to be extra vigilant about in the coming period. Charlie and Lewis are quite fond of sweet fruits like strawberries, and with a wine trip to Italy planned, Charlie will soon be happily walking alongside us through the vineyards. We'll leave the grape tasting to the humans.
3. Mushrooms: okay to look, preferably not to eat
Autumn and mushrooms belong together. Unfortunately, not all mushrooms are safe for dogs.
The tricky part is that there are an enormous number of different species, and it is virtually impossible for the average hiker to reliably determine which species a dog has eaten during a walk.
Some mushrooms primarily cause gastrointestinal upset, while toxic varieties can have much more serious consequences.
My dog ate a mushroom. What should I do?
Did you see your dog eat a mushroom? Contact your veterinarian.
If it's safe to do so, take a clear photo of the mushroom and the location where it grew. If there's a similar mushroom still present, also photograph the top, bottom, and stem.
Do not try to determine through Google that a mushroom is "probably safe" and then do nothing. When in doubt, a veterinarian is the better search engine.
4. Horse chestnuts can be dangerous for dogs
Not all chestnuts are the same.
Sweet chestnuts are different from horse chestnuts. Horse chestnuts contain substances that can be harmful to dogs if they eat them. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sluggishness.
In addition, whole chestnuts, due to their size, can cause an obstruction if a dog swallows them. The latter also applies to other objects that dogs may find interesting during an autumn walk, such as large pieces of wood or pine cones. A chestnut rolling across the path can, of course, look like a toy to some dogs.
If your dog has eaten or swallowed a horse chestnut, contact your veterinarian.
5. Foxtails are not immediately gone in early autumn
We mainly associate foxtails with summer, but at the end of summer and beginning of autumn, they can still be present in verges and dry grassy areas.
The sharp seeds have tiny barbs and can get stuck between the toes, in the ears, nose, eyes, or skin of a dog. Due to their shape, they can move further and further into the body.
Therefore, check your dog after a walk through tall or dry grass at:
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the toes and paw pads;
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the armpits;
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the ears;
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the eyes;
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and the coat.
Especially for dogs with long or thick fur, such a quick check is not an unnecessary luxury.
6. It gets dark earlier: make sure your dog is visible
The danger in autumn, of course, doesn't just fall from trees.
The days are getting shorter quickly. A walk that in August still took place entirely in daylight can suddenly end in the dark a few weeks later.
Therefore, ensure that you and your dog are clearly visible to cyclists, motorists, and other road users. Think, for example, of lighting or reflective accessories and, where possible, choose well-lit routes during darker hours.
A good leash also helps to keep your dog close when visibility decreases.
Are you unsure which type of leash best suits your walks? Then also read Choosing the best dog leash: which one suits you and your dog?
What should you do if your dog has eaten something toxic outside?
Do you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic during a walk? Then contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. For some poisonings, quick action can be important.
If possible, try to find out:
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what your dog ate;
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approximately how much;
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when this happened;
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how much your dog weighs;
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and whether your dog is already showing symptoms.
If possible, take a photo of what your dog has eaten or, if safe, bring a sample.
Never try to make your dog vomit yourself with salt or other home remedies. This can actually be dangerous. Follow your veterinarian's advice.
Every dog requires a different walk
Perhaps that is ultimately the most important autumn tip: know your dog.
With River, we don't have to constantly monitor what goes into her mouth during a walk. With Charlie, we pay extra attention when there's food or fruit within reach. And with Skyler, you know that even an innocent pile of acorns can turn into an all-you-can-eat buffet in three seconds if no one is watching.
Fortunately, that doesn't mean you have to avoid the forest in the coming months. On the contrary. Autumn is a wonderful season to spend a lot of time outdoors together.
Curious about how much exercise a dog actually needs? Then also read How often and how long should you walk a dog?
A little extra attention to what lies between those beautiful autumn leaves can prevent a lot of misery.
Sources and further reading
For the health and safety information in this article, we have used reliable veterinary sources. If you want to read more or are unsure about something your dog has eaten, always consult your own veterinarian.
Please note: this article is intended as general information and does not replace veterinary advice. If your dog may have eaten something toxic or is showing symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
About the author
Elroy Bosman is co-founder of Punq and owner of Eurasian River and Charlie. Together with the rest of the Punq family, he develops dog accessories based on one rather simple conviction: products for dogs should be practical without looking like they came from the bottom shelf of the pet store.
Much of what you read on the Punq blog originates from daily life with our own dogs. Including mud, dog hair, and dogs who sometimes have different ideas about what is and isn't edible.
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