Keeping Your Pets Safe During the Fall Months
We all love our pets and want to keep them safe. Common items that can harm your pets can be found on our Keep Your Pets Safe pages! But as the seasons change from summer to fall, there are some additional things to look out for.
Download the Fall Toxins Newsletter from the PetPoisonHelpline.com
More poison-related resources can be found on the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Website
Red Maple Leaves - Horse lovers, BEWARE!
As little as one pound of dried maple leaves blowing into your horse’s pasture can be toxic. When ingested, these leaves result in a severe hemolytic anemia which causes red blood cells to rupture, causing weakness, pale gums, elevated heart rate and SHOCK.
Halloween Candy
Chocolate related emergencies increase by over 70% during the Halloween season! Sugar in general isn't good for your pets, but some candies contain Xylitol which can be poisonous to your pet! Keep the trick-or-treat bags away from your pet.
Pesticides
As the weather turns cooler, mice and other critters may decide that your house would be a great place to stay cozy. To keep them out, close up any entry holes and choose ONLY NON-TOXIC anti-rodent products! Rodenticides are extremely toxic to dogs and cats, so make sure to discuss a safe pest control plan with a professional exterminator and your veterinarian.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms seem to pop up out of nowhere. Make sure your pets don't chew or eat mushrooms that appear on lawns, logs, under trees, etc. Some mushrooms are harmless, but some are extremely toxic and can cause serious harm very quickly. If your pet chews or eats a mushroom, take a photo (or take what's left of the mushroom itself) and either go to a veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435
Even if a certain food isn't toxic to pets, it doesn’t mean it's safe. Rich, high-fat foods can cause stomach problems such as diarrhea and gastroenteritis, and even more serious conditions like pancreatitis which can be deadly. Refrain from sharing those holiday dinners with your pets! Ask all guests not to feed from the table, no matter how adorable those big eyes are! Here are common foods that are known to be toxic to pets.
Ticks
They're ugly, and they're still lurking! Did you know that many species of ticks can survive the first frost? Don't let your guard down just because summer is over. Continue using tick control products year round! Clean up leaves and garden litter, and check your pets for ticks frequently. Ask your veterinarian to screen for tick-borne infections annually.
| Tick Borne Diseases (Canine) |
| 2020 Lyme Disease Infections (Dogs) in Suffolk County: 1,896 |
| 2020 Anaplasmosis Infections (Dogs) in Suffolk County: 1,090 |
| 2020 Ehrlichiosis Infections (Dogs) in Suffolk County: 1,291 |
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