Autumn Dog Walking: The Seasonal Hazards Worth Knowing About

There is a particular morning in September when you step outside and it smells like autumn. The air has gone cool and slightly damp, there are leaves on the pavement, and the whole walk feels different. Autumn dog walking is genuinely lovely, and after a summer of dodging hot pavements and grass seeds it is a relief. But the season swaps one set of hazards for another, and a few of them catch owners out every year.

Here is what our walkers keep an eye out for on autumn dog walking routes once September arrives.

Conkers and Acorns: The Classic Autumn Dog Walking Hazards

These are the big two, mostly because they land everywhere and they are exactly the right size for a curious dog to pick up.

Conkers contain aesculin, which is toxic to dogs. Most dogs will not eat enough to cause serious poisoning, but even one can cause vomiting, drooling and a very unhappy stomach. The bigger risk is actually mechanical, because a whole conker is the right shape and size to lodge in a dog’s throat or cause an intestinal blockage. That is a surgical problem, not a wait and see one.

Acorns are similar. They contain tannins that irritate the gut and, in larger quantities, can affect the liver and kidneys. Puppies and small dogs are most at risk, simply because it takes less to do damage.

If your dog is a hoover on legs, plan your autumn dog walking route around the horse chestnut and oak stretches for a few weeks. A basket muzzle is not a punishment, and for a committed scavenger it is often the kindest solution.

Fungi and Mushrooms

Autumn dog walking coincides with peak mushroom season, and this is the hazard that worries us most, because identification is genuinely difficult. Some UK fungi are harmless. A handful are lethal, and the difference is not obvious to anyone who is not an expert.

The rule we work to is simple. Do not let your dog eat any wild mushroom. If they do, and you cannot rule out what it was, take a photo of the mushroom and ring your vet straight away rather than waiting for symptoms. Some of the worst cases look fine for a day or two before things go wrong.

Fallen Fruit and Blue Green Algae

Windfall apples and plums ferment on the ground, and a dog who eats a bellyful can end up genuinely drunk. Plum and damson stones are a choking and blockage risk too.

Blue green algae is not just a summer problem either. It can bloom well into autumn on still water, so autumn dog walking near ponds and lakes needs the same caution as summer. If the surface looks like pea soup or has paint spilled across it, keep your dog out of the water and away from the edge. 

Autumn Dog Walking in the Dark

By the end of September the evenings are noticeably drawing in, and by the clocks changing in October the after work walk is happening in the dark. This changes things.

Be Visible

A reflective or light up collar for your dog and something high visibility for you is the bare minimum on any road. Drivers are not expecting a black Labrador at the kerb on an unlit lane.

The autumn dog walking kit worth having in the hallway:

• A reflective or LED collar
• A clip on light for the harness
• A high visibility gilet or armband for you
• A torch, for checking what your dog has found

Watch the Recall

Dogs behave differently in the dark. Wildlife is more active at dusk, scents carry differently in damp air, and a dog who normally has flawless recall can suddenly find something far more interesting than you. If you are not completely confident, use a long line until you are.

Mind Your Footing

Autumn dog walking means wet leaves, and wet leaves are slippery. They also hide everything from broken glass to potholes. Check paws after muddy walks, and dry between the toes to head off sore skin.

Fleas Are Not Finished Yet

A common assumption is that flea season ends with the summer. It does not. Central heating coming on in September wakes up flea eggs that have been sitting dormant in carpets and soft furnishings, and a lot of households get an unwelcome surprise in early autumn. Keep treatments going year round.

Fitting Autumn Dog Walking Around Short Days

The real autumn dog walking problem for a lot of owners is not hazards at all. It is that you leave for work in the dark and get home in the dark, and the dog is stuck indoors for nine hours in between.

That is what our dog walking service is for. A midday walk in daylight breaks up the day, burns off energy, and means the evening walk can be a short and sensible one rather than the only exercise your dog gets. If your dog would rather have company than a walk, our dog visits do the same job at a gentler pace, and our dog day care covers the longer days.

We Love Pets Is Here to Help

Autumn dog walking is one of the best parts of the year once you know what to look out for. If you would like a hand with the daylight walks, find your local We Love Pets branch and see who covers your area.

And if you would love to spend your autumns walking dogs for a living, take a look at our franchise opportunities.