Don’t Get Tricked Out of a Treat This Winter with Your Pets

Running through leaves, enjoying the cool weather and meeting other people who share the same interests in animals—having a pet during the cooling fall months can truly be a treat. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of spooky frights out there ready to trick you this fall. Here are some ways to avoid the tricks, and simply enjoy the treats:

Vaccinate Regularly – If you have puppies or kittens, this is extremely important. Many viruses that cause serious problems in animals are highly commonplace. One example of this is the Parvo Virus, which spreads very quickly and lives outside of a dog’s body for a while. We have a good variety of vaccinations for you to choose from.

Know In Advance Where Ticks Lie – There are so many places where your pet’s health can be compromised over the fall and winter months. You should be aware of what these areas are and try your hardest to control where your pet gets access to. We understand that animals aren’t as easy to instruct as people, so you won’t be able to watch them all the time—here are just some spots to keep in mind.

1. Garbage – Garbage is not just dangerous because it harbors bacteria and decaying organic material, it’s also dangerous because it attracts other animals like rodents and raccoons, which can carry rabies, and also other potentially diseased insects, like biting flies.
2. Leaf Piles – Leaf piles are a notorious breeding ground for fleas and ticks, especially in the not-so-cold months where they get soggy and sit around. If your pet frolics in leaf piles, just make sure to wash them afterwards to avoid infestations.
3. Dirty Puddles/Stagnant Water – Dogs especially have very little shame and will drink water they shouldn’t. Stagnant and dirty water can harbor diseases and even chemicals, like ice melt or automotive fluids. Keep your animals away from questionable bodies of water this fall and save yourself a trick. 
4. Other Animals’ Feces – This is probably the biggest risk you can expose your dog or cat to. Dogs are attracted to foul smells that we’d normally find repulsive. Feces hold an insurmountable number of microbes and it’s extremely dangerous to allow your pet to be exposed to it.
5. Rodents and Birds  -- Rodents and birds carry some strange diseases, like Bird Flu, Tularemia, Lyme Disease and Rabies—and that’s just naming a few. If you catch your cat or dog having their way with a bird or rodent, try and get it away from them. If your cat is a regular mouser, just get them checked frequently, especially if they show any immediate change in their eating habits, demeanor or temperament.
6. Dog Parks – Dog parks are a great place to meet other dog owners and to let your dog loose to play with their furry friends. However, other dogs carry their own brand of diseases. You should always make sure your dog is fully vaccinated and with a healthy, strong immune system before you bring them to dog parks.

Want to learn more about protecting your animals this fall and winter? You can check out our other blog posts, which are chock-full of information. Make sure your fall season is a treat and nothing else. Have questions? Reach us nationwide by phone at 1.800.979.2869.