You may want to think twice before letting your dog jump in leaves this fall
The autumn air is turning crisp and cooler temperatures can make it easier for dogs to spend more time outside with their owners. But you might want to think twice about letting your dog jump into that big pile of leaves.
Fall brings some unexpected outdoor health hazards for dogs, veterinarians warn, including activities that appear fun on the surface. Every year, vets see dogs show up with injuries incurred after diving into piles of foliage that were obscuring dangerous items, like sharp sticks, metal fencing, rakes and other debris, said Joanna Woodnutt, a veterinary surgeon based in the United Kingdom. Around this time of year, Woodnutt sees more owners let their dogs off-leash, because the cooler weather allows dogs to run more without getting too tired.
"People go to the park, let them off the lead and they run," she said, adding, "it's surprisingly common for owners to even encourage them to jump through the leaves."
Acorns and fruit that fall from trees can also harm your dog if ingested, Woodnutt warned. During this colder part of the year, older dogs, especially those with arthritis need to be kept warm and comfortable as well, she said.
"It's a really picturesque time of year, we're able to get out a bit more more with our dogs, but there are a few important things to bear in mind when we do," Woodnutt said.
Inspect leaf piles for hazards
Woodnutt said she has seen dogs impaled by sharp objects after jumping into leaf piles. If a large, sharp stick goes through a dog's chest or stomach, it could be fatal, she said.
Similarly, veterinarian Dana Varble told USA TODAY she sees dogs come into clinics with more paw injuries and scratches. Autumn often brings more burrs and sticks that can get caught in a dog's fur, sometimes requiring emergency fur trims, she said.
If a dog is roaming off-leash, especially in the evening when the sun sets earlier, they could easily get into trouble, Woodnutt said.
Angela Laws runs the popular pet- and house-sitting online platform Trusted House Sitters, and has personally dog-sat for owners across Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the U.S. Laws said avoiding unknowns is key when walking dogs and letting them play outside.
"There are videos on social media about dogs jumping into leaves, and everybody thinks that's the best way for them to have fun" Laws said. "If you create your own pile of leaves, then you're going to have fun," she said, cautioning dog owners to make a leave pile themselves.
You can also inspect a pile of leaves before letting your dog jump in it, Woodnutt said.
"Walking through it yourself testing, and not just in your big boots so you can't feel any sharp bits," Woodnutt said. "Run your hands through it and check."
Walnuts, tree fruit can be harmful
Woodnutt said some acorns and chestnuts that fall on the ground can get stuck in a dog's gut, or even release toxins through their cracked shells.
Walnuts can also be bad, because the large kind on trees can grow a toxic mold that's poisonous to dogs, according to veterinarians. Look out for their large, round shape, and green, fuzzy outer casing, vets say.
"They are not the same walnuts we buy at the store," said Varble, chief veterinary officer for the North American Veterinary Community who said the mold that can grow on walnuts causes neurological problems in dogs if ingested.
Ripe and overripe tree fruit can also be harmful to dogs.
"Rotting fruit can be alcoholic, and it's possible for dogs to get drunk," Woodnutt said, adding she's also seen dogs need treatment for mold poisoning after eating spoiled fruit.
Young children need to be reminded not to throw large, ball-shaped acorns when playing with dogs, Laws said, because the animal might confuse it with an actual toy.
Once, Woodnutt said, she operated on a dog who had been "snuffling" through a pile of crab apples on the ground, eating them, and also accidentally swallowing a small green toy ball resembling an apple in the process.
Unfortunately, Varble said, "certain dogs can be quite indiscriminate eaters."
Like humans, older dogs ache in the cold
When pet-sitting in Manhattan over the Christmas holiday, Laws said she loves to take dogs for long walks in Central Park.
"Alfie, was my best tour guide, his walk was around Central Park, and it was picturesque and it was snowy, and he would enjoy playing in the snow," said Laws, who is based out of northwest Scotland, in a small hamlet called Cove.
Whether your dog is playing in the snow, or simply running around in the cold, make sure to help them dry off and warm up inside, Woodnutt said.
"Sore bones, sore joints seem to hurt more in the autumn and winter, in the colder weather," she said. "And with dogs, especially elderly dogs, a lot of them are arthritic."
Wherever you are − in the countryside or in a city − "when you walk in with a dog, it's so much more fun than walking on your own," Laws said.
To keep you dogs happy and healthy throughout their autumn adventures, it's key to realize some idyllic activities in the colder weather "are not as nice and comfortable as they look."