Page 3 - easel newsletter fall 2021

EASEL News: Fall 2021

10 Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe This Fall

By Amanda Liebenberg

Accidents can happen any time of
year, but some may be more com-
mon seasonally. Fall is time for cooler
weather, back to school, and the start
of the Holidays. Here are ten tips to
keep your pets safe this fall are:

1. Even with cooler weather coming
in, it is still tick season! Be sure to keep
up with flea and tick preventatives and
avoid piles of leaves where ticks may be
hiding.

2. Holidays can be stressful for our pets,
so it is good to plan for how to keep
your pets safe and calm during events
like trick or treating and family get to-
gethers. On Halloween, try to exercise
your pets before trick-or-treaters are out;
costumes and crowds can be scary. It may mushroom, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
be helpful to set up a gated “safe” zone or quiet room away from Center at (888) 426-4435.
the front door to keep pets separate from trick-or-treaters and
unable to sneak out the door in a panic. A special chew toy with 7. The days are getting shorter and it is getting dark earlier, so
hidden treats or snuffle mat can keep pets occupied during the make sure to wear bright, reflective gear on early morning or
busy times of the holidays.
evening walks for you and your pet’s safety. You can also consider
light-up leashes, collars, or a head lamp during walks for added
3. Cooler weather outside means pests are trying to come inside! visibility.
Start with non-toxic pest control methods like closing holes
where rodents may gain entry to your home. Be careful when 8. As you prepare your car for cooler weather, be sure to clean up
choosing anti-rodent agents, as they can be extremely toxic to any anti-freeze or coolant spills in the garage or on the driveway.
pets. In situations where rodenticide chemicals must be used, it These can be ingested by pets and are extremely toxic, so make
is best to consult a professional exterminator to determine a pet- sure once you’re done, they are stored in a place inaccessible to
safe pest plan.
pets.
4. Halloween and Thanksgiving bring a variety of food and treats 9. Pets can get loose in any season, but more guests coming in
into the home. While human family members indulge, it is best to and out of the house may make it easier for them to slip past
maintain your pet on their usual diet. Keeping human food and someone and out the door. Make sure your pet’s tags and mi-
table scraps away from pets helps to avoid upset stomach or ex- crochip are updated, so they can be returned to you as quickly
posure to foods that may be harmful or toxic. Feeding pets their as possible! This is also a great time to reinforce commands like
normal diet also helps reinforce good behavior and keeps pets “place” “stay” and “wait.” ***
from learning to beg at the table. Make sure your guests know
not to feed leftovers to pets to avoid illness and learning new bad 10. Human family members are headed back to school. This year
behaviors!
in particular, some households have been working from home for
over a year, which can mean a big change for pets who are used
5. It is almost time for wildlife to hibernate! Skunks, bears, and to having you home. Crate training can be a great way to help
snakes are busy preparing for the winter, and need their space as your dog with separation anxiety and avoid destructive behavior
they get ready. To avoid run-ins with wildlife, keep your dog on while you are out. If possible, slowly increase the time you spend
leash (a good idea at all times!) especially in wooded areas. Keep away from your pet. If your pet is not adjusting to having family
in mind there are two species of venomous snakes in N.J., the members away during the day, consider reaching out to a trainer
Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake, so keep human to help address your specific situation.
and furry family members at least 5 feet away from snakes!
***If you’re not sure how to update your pet’s microchip, contact
6. Cool, damp evenings make for more mushrooms sprouting up. us at info@easelnj.org, and we will help.
Some species of mushrooms can be toxic to pets, so monitor pets
while they are outside and pull up mushrooms if they pop-up
in the yard. If you suspect your pet may have ingested a toxic
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