I have always loved the Fall, but I'll admit I took it for granted year after year. Only after living in Phoenix, Arizona for nearly 10 years did I really appreciate the joy of a majestic Fall season. In Phoenix they joke that there are only two seasons; Hot and Hotter! Although we loved living in Phoenix, we soon missed the blazing beauty of the Autumn leaves. Even driving on the highways you can't help but be struck by Fall's gorgeous hues. The bright yellows, fiery reds, and deep rust tones create a stunning landscape against cool, crisp, sunny skies. Dogs love Fall too, so I've compiled this Guide to Dog Friendly Fall Adventures!
Enjoying the beauty of Fall with my dogs
I love outdoor activities with my dogs in every season. Each season is special, with it's own brand of fun things to do with your dog unique to that season. Fall is one of the best times to embark on outdoor fun activities and adventures with dogs! The weather is cooler and the Summer crowds have thinned out. As October approaches we start thinking about Pumpkins, Hiking & Biking in cool weather, Fall Festivals & Costume Parades, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, Fall Foliage, and Hay Rides! So much FUN and bonding to be had with our dogs during the Fall season!
Great Fall activities to do with dogs
Plan Fall adventures now before the beauty of Autumn is gone!
My dogs love outdoor Fall activities and Halloween treats!
FUN FALL ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR DOG
Be ready for outdoor Fall activities with dogs by having the right gear! For all that outdoor fun with the dog, you want to make sure your dog is comfortable and safe!
Fall hike with my dog
The two activities I look forward to the most with our dogs are hiking and bike riding. We hike and bike in Summer, but heat and humidity often makes hiking and biking trips with the dogs short. Not so in the Fall, here's when we go all out!
BIKE RIDING WITH DOGS
Bicycle riding with your dog is a great activity, but you should do it safely. Dogs have a habit of getting too close to the wheels of the bicycle or crossing out in front of the bike. To avoid an accident I bought a Bicycle Leash for my Husky, Icy. A bike leash for dogs keeps your dog next to the bike and away from the wheels! I use the Walky Dog Plus bike leash, but there are others on the market. I couldn't find dog bike leashes in bicycle stores (weird, right?!), but a Google search pulled up several. Walmart, Chewy and Amazon have a couple of them online.
My dog Icy gets so excited when she see's my bicycle come out!
My Walky Dog Plus dog bike leash helps me bike ride safely with Icy
You can usually bike ride from early Fall until December in the Northern U.S. In this video you can see how the bike leash keeps her at a safe distance from the bicycle.
Bike riding with your dog is not only a total blast, it has health benefits for both of you! Need more reasons to bike ride with dogs? Here are 6 Reasons To Bike Ride With Your Dog!
My dogs are very different in size, strength and endurance. I can't bike ride with both of them together on bike leashes, but I could attach a Pet Basket for Bicycles to my bike for a smaller dog. That way both dogs could join in for bike rides and not feel left out. PetSmart, Chewy, and Amazon sell bicycle baskets for small dogs (or other small pets) online.
A bicycle basket made specifically for small dogs or other small pets!
HIKING WITH DOGS
We've done so much fantastic hiking with our dogs, from Sedona, Arizona to Montauk, Long Island with tons of places in between! I have to say, hiking is probably my favorite activity to do with dogs. I love to get out and explore nature with my dogs. It's a great activity for the 4 of us to do together. Although my dogs are active at different levels, hiking is something they can easily do together. If Icy and my husband forge ahead, it's no big deal to stop and wait for me to catch up with my smaller dog.
DOG CLOTHING AND OUTERWEAR
When I think about my dogs being safe and comfortable during outdoor Fall activities, the first thing I think about is clothing and outerwear. Being a Siberian Husky, Icy pretty much never needs dog apparel of any kind! As soon as Fall weather arrives however, some small dogs get chilly. I always had to break out a sweater or jacket for my dog Phoebe when the weather turned cool. They have the cutest clothing for dogs, especially for smaller dogs.
My dog Phoebe in her Cheeta print sweater - I love the pink bow!
For cold Fall mornings, or if there's a chance of rain, your pooch might need a waterproof dog coat like this one. I love the adorable wool hood on this jacket!
Phoebe was always cozy warm in her hot pink Winter dog jacket
When we go on longer hikes, I often use a dog backpack for Icy. It helps with carrying gear like water bottles, snacks, bowls, and waste bags. It also helps reduce her pulling on leash! Many dogs pull on their leash. Using a backpack is one way some trainers recommend to reduce the pulling. Be sure to check with a trainer or pet store staff on how much weight is appropriate for your dog to carry in the pack, if any. The rule I've heard is to never put more than 10% of a dogs weight in a dog's backpack.
We often used a backpack for Icy on hikes. It helped keep her from pulling like the sled dog that she is! She can carry her water bowl, water, and snacks!
Some dogs may require less weight or none at all in a backpack. Check with your Veterinarian before using a weighted backpack on your dog for the first time. Here are more tips to get your dog to Stop Pulling On Leash. This stylish Dog DayPak by Outward Hound is neon green with reflective accents so Icy is visible among the trees. You may not consider reflective safety strips when hiking, but more than once we've found ourselves still hiking after the sun has set. Sunset is often when wildlife start hunting - yikes!!
Make sure you bring plenty of water on any outing with your dogs! Remember to bring along portable bowls and a water bottle.
SAFETY FIRST!
Fall is actually prime season for Fleas and Ticks! Be sure to protect your dog with Flea & Tick control likeBravecto which provides up to 12 weeks protection from ticks and fleas in a tasty chew. Note: Always Consult your Vet before you begin using any flea/tick product.
Fall is prime Tick and Flea season! Make sure your dog is protected
If you plan to take your dog near beaches, lakes, ponds, pools, or out on a boat you should consider a Life Jacket for Dogs. A life jacket is a great safety option for dogs around water, especially if your dog is unfamiliar with the area, isn't a strong swimmer, or if she'll be out on a boat.
Icy wears this Outward Hound life jacket when we're near water
I also like the Kurgo Surf 'n Turf life vest which doubles as a life vest or rain coat. It has 2 handles to help get your dog in and out of the water, and reflective trim. The flotation layer can be removed so the waterproof shell can be used as a raincoat!
If your Fall adventure with your dog involves a car ride or a weekend getaway, consider a Dog Carrier or Pet Crate and a Dog Safety Harness for the car.
PET CARRIERS AND CRATES
There are SO many beautiful and versatile pet carriers to choose from these days. Pet carriers come in lots of shapes and sizes, some models even have wheels. A carrier or crate is a great way to keep your pet safe and secure while riding in the car or at the airport. If your Fall adventure involves taking your dog or cat on an airplane, here is some information you should know; Tips For Air Travel With Pets.
Phoebe loved her Sherpa pet carrier! I often left it open for her on the floor of my office so she could nap right next to me.
Outdoor Fall adventures with the dogs usually come with mud, sand, or dirt! For all those great outdoor Fall adventures with your pup, make sure you protect your car seats with a Car Seat Cover like this one from 4Knines! They come in all sizes to fit pretty much any vehicle you've got. 4Knines makes great car seats, I love our 4Knines back seat cover for our Honda CRV! Investing in a quality seat cover like the one we got from 4Knines is a great idea.
Outdoor adventures with dogs almost always involve mud, sand and dirt!
Even if you have a car seat cover don't forget to bring along Pet Wipes and a Towel or Paper Toweling. You'll probably wantto get the dirt off their paws before going back into the house after a day of outdoor fun & adventure! I always have pet wipes in the car and in my backpack, you just never know what your dog will roll in, step in, or swim in! If there's anything massively stinky to roll in, my dogs are sure to find it! One of the things I can't do without on any of our adventures with the dogs is a First Aid Kit. I can't tell you how many times we've traveled with our dogs or gone on long day trips and needed the First Aid Kit! It's essential to get a pet first aid kit, or assemble one yourself. I'll never forget the time my dog Icy cut her paw open on broken glass on her last potty break of the day. It was at a hotel in Albuquerque, around 11pm. No Veterinarian's were available and our first aid kit literally saved us! Paw pads bleed a lot more than I expected!
You can find Pet First Aid Kits online, there are tons of them. You can also assemble one yourself. Make sure you have a bag or case fits well into a backpack or your overnight bag. We never leave home without a first aid kit for dogs!
In our Dog First Aid Kit we have antibiotic ointment, essential to prevent infection if our dogs cut themselves. I use Zymox Topical Cream with .5% Hydrocortisone. This cream is made specifically for pets and is used for wound care, hot spots, and skin infections. Anther fun Fall activity is to head for your favorite dog friendly cafe for a mug of steaming pumpkin spice latte, hot apple cider or hot chocolate. While you relax and enjoy a delicious Fall beverage, your dog can enjoy a special chew stick or her favorite toy, right beside you. Pumpkin picking is a perennial Fall favorite, so look for a dog friendly farm and take your dog pumpkin picking! I love taking pictures of my dogs out in the field among the bright orange pumpkins, the photos come out so pretty with all that Fall color. Rich Fall color brings so much warmth to a photo.
One thing we look forward to all year in our area are the Fall Festivals and Pet Costume Parades. It's so much fun to see all the dogs out and about, trotting alongside their family enjoying Fall festivities. A Pet Costume parade is always fun. Some people are really clever in the costumes they create for their pets! It's so inspiring.
Icy marched in our town's Pet Halloween Costume parade looking BOO-tiful in her Headless Horseman costume!
I'm sure this year's hottest Dog Halloween Costumes will be super heroes again, like Wonder Woman for the girls and Spider Man or Super Man for the boys. Do you dress your dog up for Halloween? What will your dog, cat, lizard, or other pet be for Halloween this year? Tell us in the comments!
I love the little skirt on this Wonder Woman costume, it's so cute!
You don't even have to leave your own yard to enjoy the beauty of Fall with your pet. Rake up the leaves in your yard and let your dog or cat play in them! Throw his favorite ball or toy into the pile and watch him have fun digging and jumping through the leaves to retrieve the prize. So what if you have to rake the leaves up again, it's worth it! Once again, I'll be searching for a dog friendly Hay Ride and Corn Maze! I was unsuccessful last year. I'm always excited to see Fall themed dog treats, like Greenies Pumpkin Spice flavored Dental Chews for Dogs! No reason why our pets shouldn't enjoy the flavors of the season, right? While you enjoy a mug of hot apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte at an outdoor cafe, give your dog a pumpkin spice flavored treat to enjoy and celebrate Fall together!
Pumpkin Spice flavor treats for dogs. Our pets should enjoy the flavors of the Fall season too!
If you have the time, you can make your own dog treats with Fall themed flavors like pumpkin, apple, or pear. Here's a simple, no bake Pumpkin Spice Dog Treat Recipe. I take advantage of all those freshly picked pumpkins of Fall. I add some pure pumpkin to my dogs' food each morning to give them the health benefits of pumpkin all year round.
In the Fall I make my own pumpkin mush for them from fresh pumpkins we bring home. I add around a tablespoon of it to their food each morning. If you've never made fresh pumpkin mush yourself, you'd be surprised at how much pumpkin mush even a very small pumpkin can yield!
My dog Phoebe, surrounded by pumpkins at our town's Fall Festival!
🐾 After removing the seeds inside, I cut a fresh pumpkin into large chunks and boil until the pieces are soft. 🐾 Then I peel off the outer skin (Skin comes off easily after boiling) and mash it all up in a bowl. You can puree it in a blender if you prefer. 🐾 Cooked pumpkin freezes well so it should last a couple of months in the freezer. Always check with your Veterinarian before introducing any new food into your pet's diet. Never feed raw pumpkin to your pet, raw pumpkin can make them sick.
Whatever you do to celebrate Fall with your dog, cat or other pet be safe and Have Fun!!
Sharing is Caring! If you enjoyed this post, we would really appreciate a social media share! 😍
Please visit my ETSY store, Nature and Critters, where you'll find lots of products for Fall and all year round! Printable art prints, Pet Health Tracker, Pet Emergency Preparedness checklist, Holiday products, and more, all inspired by pets and nature.
One of the things Long Island, NY is well known for is it's "Gold Coast". From the 1890's until after World War II, Long Island was one of the places the super rich flocked to. Over several decades wealthy families built lavish, pretentious estates. Post WW II, many of those homes were sold off or taken over by local government. One such estate is Coindre Hall in Huntington, Long Island. The 34 acre estate was constructed in 1912 but the original owner lost it following the stock market crash of 1929. It lost most of it's glory and today is owned by the public parks department of Suffolk county. The good news is that the outside grounds are dog friendly!
Icy on the grounds of Coindre Hall. You can see the old mansion in the distance.
I'VE GOT A BLANK SPACE
This place looks like something out of Taylor Swift's music video Blank Space. Actually, that video was filmed at Oheka Castle which is also in Huntington just a few miles from Coindre Hall. It should come as no surprise that my favorite parts of her video are all the animals that appear in it! I especially loved the two beautiful black Doberman Pinschers walking with the couple across the grounds of the castle. Psst! Hey Taylor, Icy gives your Blank Space video 2 paws up! She would love to appear in one of your awesome music videos too - she's available any time you might have a need for a lovable Husky who loves to give sloppy kisses!! The moment we saw that video we recognized Oheka. They do weddings there and we were considering it for our wedding back in 2004... until we found out the price - Yikes!! We did, however, spend our wedding night there. We couldn't afford to have our actual wedding at Oheka, but we could afford one night's stay, LOL! Unlike Coindre Hall, Oheka Castle does not allow dogs.
DOGS AT THE BEACH
Coindre Hall overlooks the Long Island Sound. At the end of the grounds is a small beach area. Walking along this wall by the water is a bit precarious so we only let Icy get up there for a quick photo op. The wooden pier in the background was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. Sadly, it has never been rebuilt. John and I used to walk out on that pier to watch the sunset. It was very romantic, we really miss that.
Check out how high the water level is! Usually, Icy and I can step off this dilapidated dock and walk along sand into the water. The tide was so high, there was virtually no sand visible. One of my earlier posts showed the beach during low tide, with lots of dogs playing on the beach and in the water.
Icy was disappointed we couldn't walk along the beach into the water, the tide was so high.
There's a pond on the grounds as well. Icy loves to explore what creatures might be lurking in and around the pond!
There is some woodsy area to explore as well, Icy loves sticking her nose into everything! Thankfully, she didn't stick her snout into any poison ivy!
BORN TO RUN
Siberian Huskies love to RUN! The grounds are pretty large and there were only one or two other dogs there so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We let Icy run free without the leash, which we rarely do. She loved running through the field and up the hill! We ended our time on the grounds of Coindre Hall by taking a short video of her running up the hill one last time.
Long Island in general isn't very dog friendly, so I'm glad we have a place like Coindre Hall right here in our town. It was such a wonderful day, Icy was passed out in her doggie bed by 8pm!
Do you know of any dog friendly historic mansions? Leave us a comment & tell us, we LOVE hearing from you!
I was recently reminded that my dogs don't need to travel somewhere in order to have an Adventure. Sometimes you can find adventure right in your own backyard! A week or two ago we got a lot of snow here, nearly a foot of the white stuff. Being a Siberian Husky, Icy was loving all the snow in our yard. She was leaping through the snow like a Gazelle, trying to play fetch with a ball that kept getting lost in snow, and having herself a good time. I felt a little bad though. I felt like she should go somewhere and have some real fun in the snow with other dogs. But the dog park hadn't been plowed out and many of the roads were still in bad shape.
Icy loves playing in the snow, but it's lonely out there in the white stuff by yourself!
As I watched my neighbor take his Golden Retriever, Cooper, outside for a potty break it dawned on me. Why not invite Cooper over for a play date in our snow filled yard! Icy loves Cooper, they've been crushing on each other for a few years now.
Icy invited Cooper over the play in the snow with her, but he kept hogging the ball!
I knew Icy and Cooper would have a blast playing together in the snow so I walked over to them and issued the invitation. "Sure!" Cooper's Dad said and we walked back to our house together.
Icy gives Cooper the Play Bow signal, saying she's ready to PLAY!
I must say, it was a brilliant idea! The dogs had a blast running and playing in the snow together for over an hour. My husband and our neighbor would throw the ball and Cooper, being an excellent Retriever, would find it lodged deep in the snow right away. Icy never seemed to get to the ball first, but she didn't mind. She had her canine bestie with her, and that's all that mattered.
Catch me if you can, Cooper! Wooo! Wooo!
Here's a 26 second video of some of their Doggie Play Date fun:
Needless to say, Cooper tired her out pretty good and Icy slept really soundly that night. It just goes to show you that you don't always have to get in the car to have an adventure, sometimes it's waiting for you right in your own backyard!
We often don't think much about keeping our dogs safe from the Winter cold. They have a fur coat, don't they? True, but different dogs have different types of coats so it's important to keep cold weather safety for dogs in mind. Some dogs, like my Siberian Husky, Icy, have a thick double undercoat. Some dogs, like Boxers and Boston Terriers have super short coats. Then there are dogs who fall somewhere in between.
No matter what breed of dog you have, what size they are, or what type of fur they have it's important to be mindful of the cold and how cold temperatures, snow and ice can effect your dog. Keep your dog safe from Old Man Winter with these Dog Safety Tips for Winter.
WINTER SAFETY TIPS FOR DOGS
You may think I don't worry about Icy being in cold weather since she's a Siberian Husky, but I do. Not nearly as much as my little thin haired dog Phoebe of course, but I'm always mindful of dog safety in the Winter for my dogs.
PIN THIS!
I'm mindful of Dog Safety in Winter. My dogs love snow!
ICE MELTS
One of things I worry about most with my dogs is rock salt, or ice melts on sidewalks and in the road. Ice melting products can contain chemicals that are toxic to your pet. Pets can be harmed either by eating it or getting it on their paws or body. If it gets on their paws it can irritate, or "burn" your pet's paws and skin. If they lick it off paws or skin they'll ingest the harmful chemicals.
Ice melting products are harmful to dogs because they contain:
These Salt and Chloride substances can be found in the majority of ice melting products. If your dog is exposed to these it can lead to skin irritation ("burns"), vomiting, diarrhea or worse.
There are Pet Friendly ice melting products designed not to irritate pet paws or skin, however they are all a bit different and don't appear to be very well regulated. Most pet safe ice melt products are both salt free and chloride free. Several are Urea (a.k.a. carbamide) based. Although safer for pets, urea based ice melting products can still be harmful if large quantities are ingested. If your dog finds the bag in the garage, sticks his nose in it and ends up eating it he is likely to get very sick.
I wish "pet safe" ice melting products were better regulated and had more standardization in terms of ingredients. When you shop for dog safe ice melts read the ingredients list carefully. If you're not sure whether it's safe for dogs, call the manufacturer or go online and find out. Either way, keep it out of reach to avoid your dog getting into it.
We got this dog towel from Petsafe at a pet bloggers conference. I use it to wipe the dogs' paws each time they go out.
Although ice melt that is safe for dogs and other pets is widely available, not everyone uses it. Even if it makes your walkway safe for dogs, other sidewalks, driveways, parks and public places may not use a pet safe ice melt. It tends to be more expensive than regular ice melts. I dampen a dog towel to wipe my dog's paws off when we return from walks in snowy or icy weather. This prevents them from possibly licking ice melt off their paws, ingesting the chemicals.
Learn more about why ice melting products are hazardous to pets in this article I found on the Pet Poison Hotline's web site.
You can use dog booties or paw wax to help protect your dog's feet from dangerous chemicals on the pavement as well. This also helps prevent ice balls from forming on their feet, and booties can offer some protection against sharp objects under the snow that may not be visible. Be sure to wipe the paw wax off once back inside so it doesn't end up being a dirt collector all around the house!
ANTI-FREEZE
Needless to say, anti-freeze is extremely dangerous to dogs. Just a few licks can kill a dog or cat. Even if you don't have anti-freeze in the house or garage, a neighbor might. Keep anti-freeze out of site & well out of reach.
Don't let your dog run loose in the neighborhood, he might get into someone's garage or shed where anti-freeze is stored. Be mindful of possible anti-freeze spills near roads or driveways as you walk your dog as well. This should go without saying, really, but no Dog Winter Safety Tips article would be complete without mentioning the dangers of anti-freeze.
Ethylene glycol is the main ingredient in most antifreeze products, and it's poisonous. It smells good and tastes sweet, making it appealing to dogs but it's deadly. Some manufacturers have added a bitter taste to their anti-freeze products, but you must still be on guard and keep your dog away from it.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, it only takes a few tablespoons of highly toxic anti-freeze to put an animal's life in peril. They recommend switching to an anti-freeze that contains propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol, but although it's less poisonous it is still toxic. Even if you make that switch, a neighbor or neighboring commercial facility might still be using anti-freeze with ethylene glycol.
Paint may also contain ethylene glycol, so if you store paint outside in a shed or garage keep the containers well sealed and out of reach. If you suspect your dog may have ingested anti-freeze or paint call your Veterinarian immediately. Symptoms of anti-freeze poisoning include lethargy, disorientation, loss of coordination and vomiting.
PREVENT HYPOTHERMIA IN DOGS
Some dogs can tolerate the cold better than others. Icy, my Husky can stay outdoors in a blizzard and be happy as a clam. We have to make her come inside! Phoebe, on the other hand often had to be coaxed just to go out in the yard to potty if it's snowing.
Shorter hair dogs such as Boxers, Pugs, and French Bulldogs are more prone to freezing than dogs with thicker, heavier fur. They can't keep the heat in their bodies the way double coated dogs like Huskies, Collies, or German Shepherds can.
Hypothermia is a real danger to dogs in the cold. Dogs and cats freeze to death every Winter in cold climates. Leaving a dog outside in freezing temperatures for a long period of time can be disastrous. Of course, leaving a dog in a parked car in freezing temperatures can be just as dangerous. It's like leaving your dog in the freezer!
Hypothermia has varying symptoms depending on the severity of it. Strong shivering, rapid heart rate and breathing, muscle stiffness, body temperature below 98 degrees F, and loss of mental alertness are some of the symptoms. If you think your dog is suffering from hypothermia, get him wrapped in warm blankets (dry him off as best you can first if he's wet), give him some warm liquid to drink, or wrap a hot water bottle in something like a towel and place it against the dog's abdomen. Contact a Veterinarian as soon as possible.
KEEP DOGS AWAY FROM FREEZING OR ICY WATER
If you're like me you love taking your dog to the beach or to parks that have a lake or pond your dog can romp in. In the dead of Winter however, lakes and ponds can freeze, and the ocean is downright frigid. Be sure to keep your dog on a leash and steer him away from frigid water and any bodies of water that have iced over.
It's easy for a dog to fall through thin ice. If that happens it won't take long for hypothermia to set in. When hypothermia sets in, the dog's body temperature eventually gets too low for normal organ functioning. If a dog doesn't get treated for hypothermia in time, it could be fatal. I came across an interesting article on What To Do If Your Dog Falls Through Ice in a post shared by one of my favorite pet supply brands, Outward Hound.
A dog doesn't have to fall into icy water to get hypothermia, staying out in extremely cold weather for longer than the dog can handle can also lead to hypothermia. Keep your eye on your dog and watch for behavior that may indicate the cold is getting to be too much for him.
When we bring the dogs out in the cold for one of our adventures, I keep a very close eye on Phoebe and an alert an eye on Icy. I know how high Icy's tolerance for the cold is and how low Phoebe's is. We often head to New Hampshire for some fun and adventure with the dogs, and I'm acutely aware of how cold the weather will be. I make sure we're prepared for the cold and am very mindful of how much time we spend outdoors.. Learn more about Hypothermia in Dogs in this article from PetMd.
KEEP DOG GROOMING TO A MINIMUM
Phoebe got groomed two or three times a year, but I never shaved her down in the Winter. Shaving her would remove some of her natural protection against the cold. I also made sure to put a sweater and/or a coat on her when we went for walks or played outside in the snow. Needless to say, my Husky doesn't need any apparel to keep her warm!
Phoebe enjoyed playing in the snow. I always put a warm sweater or coat on her
FROSTBITE IN DOGS
One of the dangers for dogs staying out in the cold for long periods of time is Frostbite. According to Doctors Fosters and Smith, frostbite is: "...the injury or death of tissue from prolonged exposure to freezing or subfreezing temperatures..."
Frostbite is a real concern for dogs in the Winter. Frostbite is most common on the ears, paws & toes, tail, and scrotum. As the body becomes colder and colder, blood vessels constrict, depriving tissue of the blood supply needed to warm them. Eventually the tissue freezes and dies.
Symptoms of frostbite include a gray or bluish discoloration of the effected area. It may feel cold to the touch and may be painful to your dog when touched. It may also feel dry or brittle. Be mindful of how much time your dog is spending out in the cold and watch for signs of frostbite. If you suspect your dog has frostbite, contact your Veterinarian immediately.
Being a Husky, Icy would stay outside in the snow all day if I let her!
Please, don't leave your dog outside all day in freezing temperatures! If you absolutely must leave your dog outdoors, if it's totally unavoidable, at least make sure there is a shelter to block the wind and blankets or straw to help him stay warm. Check his water to ensure it doesn't freeze, or install a small bird feeder heater to keep it from freezing. Having clean water available all day is essential! Snow in the yard is not enough, leaving your dog to just lick some snow thinking it will be enough hydration is a big mistake! Consider investing in a dog coat as well.
Follow these cold weather safety tips to keep pets safe when arctic winds blow. Safely enjoy the beauty and fun of Winter with your dog!
How do you keep your pets safe in Winter? Share your favorite tip in the comments below, we always love hearing from you!
NOTE: I am not a Veterinarian or a Vet Tech, nor do I play one online! This information is based on my own personal experiences and research.
Not long ago, I found something on my dog that freaked me out. Although I regularly use flea and tick prevention for my dogs, I must have missed a month or been a few days late in giving them their monthly dose of topical flea and tick protection.
My Siberian Husky, Icy, communing with nature in the backyard, but she could be communing with fleas and ticks too!
I was rubbing Icy's belly and she was in heaven. I started massaging her neck when suddenly I felt something. Something that shouldn't be there. A round, smooth thing that was stuck to her neck. Panic set in, I knew immediately what it was. A tick! My poor, sweet dog had a tick on her neck! I frantically dug into her thick Husky fur to get to The Disgusting Thing. It was a tick all right. A fat, full tick that had attached itself to Icy's neck, and had obviously been feasting on her blood!
This post is sponsored by BRAVECTO® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share information about BRAVECTO. But we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Neither Intervet Inc., nor Merck & Co Inc., are responsible for the content of this article and have not written, reviewed, or edited it in any fashion. For more information about BRAVECTO please click here.
Here's a photo of the hateful tick I pulled out of Icy's neck. You can see stains from the blood that came out of the tick when I squished it, YUK!
The ugly tick I pulled out of Icy's neck
I felt so guilty, how could I have been negligent with her flea and tick protection? After I thought about it for awhile, I remembered that we spent a month packing up our house and moving across the country from Phoenix to New York. Then we had a family crisis and that month was kind of a blur. Well, life happens and stuff falls through the cracks, right? The scary thing is, Fleas and ticks carry diseases that can be harmful to you and your pet so effective flea and tick control is a must!
I knew it was time for longer lasting prescription flea and tick control! When I heard about BRAVECTO® (Fluralaner) it sounded like just what I needed to make flea and tick protection a whole lot easier, so I asked my Veterinarian about it (see 5 Key Questions to ask your Vet about flea and tick control below). We talked for awhile and decided that BRAVECTOwas a good fit for my lifestyle and for my dogs, so I got a prescription and started both my dogs on it. I already knew that: > BRAVECTO is a tasty chew that provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks* > BRAVECTO starts killing fleas within 2 hours and kills 100% of fleas in 12 hours > BRAVECTO is easy and convenient to use. 1 tasty chew provides up to 12 weeks of flea and tick protection* > BRAVECTO is FDA approved and only available by prescription. BRAVECTO is only approved for dogs 6 months and older since it's prescribed based on weight and puppies under 6 months grow so quickly their weights change too much over the 12 week treatment period.
Visit your Veterinarian and ask about flea and tick control. It's a good idea to bring a list of questions with you to ask about what flea and tick control is best for your lifestyle and your pet. Here are 5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR VET to get your conversation started:
1. What's new in flea and tick control?
This is important because many products currently being used have been around for 10 to 20 years or more and you may not know the differences or benefits of some of the newer products. For instance, there are now oral products that kill both fleas and ticks. One such product, BRAVECTO® (Fluralaner) lasts for up to 12 weeks* with just one tasty chew!
2. What product is best for my dog and my lifestyle?
There are many products available and your veterinarian is the right person to ask which product is best for your specific pet. Some products are easier to administer, dosed more or less frequently, have different types of side effects and even different expectations for effectiveness. You should feel comfortable asking your veterinarian to explain some of these differences.
3. Should I use a prescription product or just get a product over-the-counter?
Your Veterinarian can explain some of the differences so you can make an educated decision. For instance, prescription products have more in depth safety and effectiveness study requirements for approval.
4. What should I expect from my flea and tick control?
You may think your current product is not working because you see fleas and ticks on occasion, but should that be expected with the product you are using? On the flip side, you may think your current product is doing a great job because you don't see ticks and fleas that often. But can you expect more?
5. Lastly, ask to get more information on BRAVECTO if you are interested in treating less often with a tasty chew without compromising on safety or effectiveness.
BRAVECTO® is so easy and convenient. Icy and Phoebe think it's a treat, they love the taste!I feel more confident using a prescription flea and tick product because of the increased requirements around safety and effectiveness for prescription products needed for FDA approval.
Boxes of BRAVECTO, which I now give to both my dogs, Icy and Phoebe.
BRAVECTO tablet in it's individual packet
A BRAVECTO chew, in the size for dogs 44 - 88 lbs. One tasty chew provides 12 week protection against fleas and ticks*.
Don't let FLEAS & TICKS make a meal out of your precious dog, ask your Veterinarian about BRAVECTOtoday! Click here to find a Veterinarian near you that can provide BRAVECTO .
*BRAVECTO kills fleas, prevents flea infestations, and kills ticks (black-legged tick or "deer tick", American dog tick and brown dog tick) for 12 weeks. It also kills lone star ticks for 8 weeks. FOLLOW BRAVECTO on Facebook and Twitter
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:The most common adverse reactions recorded in clinical trials of BRAVECTOwere vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, polydipsia, and flatulence. BRAVECTO has not been shown to be effective for 12 weeks' duration in puppies less than 6 months of age. BRAVECTO is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks after dosing.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you may also like these two posts on BRAVECTO: Learn more about the 4 stages of the Flea lifecycle and see why just a few fleas on your dog can mean there are many more are hiding!
In my first BRAVECTO blog post, you'll find a link for $50 Cash Back when you purchase BRAVECTOfrom your Veterinarian!
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published. However, it remains the responsibility of the readers to familiarize themselves with the product information contained on the USA product label or package. More product information is available here: https://intervetus.naccvp.com/product/view/1047512?e=d97b22ed63e734e84c1a5910a9c8f531z1688
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published. However, it remains the responsibility of the readers to familiarize themselves with the product information contained on the USA product label or package. More product information is available here: https://intervetus.naccvp.com/product/view/1047512?e=d97b22ed63e734e84c1a5910a9c8f531z1688
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