Author: Alena Thielert
Proofreader: Veronika Hajek
Dull, grey, dark - autumn has a bad reputation. But every season has its own special charm and autumn also has a lot of beauty to discover with your four-legged friend. Colourful trees, golden rays of sunshine, long walks. We have a few tips for you on how you and your furry friend can get through autumn well.
Autumn grass mites are particularly common at the beginning of autumn and can cause unpleasant itching on our dogs' paws. Autumn grass mites feed on blood and skin components. They are full after 24-72 hours and leave the host on their own. Unlike fleas, they do not infest the environment, so they are not transmitted to humans.
Nevertheless, we should free our furry friends from the annoying mites if they are infected. Not only does it itch, but biting and licking the paws can also lead to bacterial infections.
You can recognize the autumn grass mites by their orange-red color. If you have an infestation, you should wash your dog's paws thoroughly and cool itchy areas if necessary, as the dog should not lick them. In the case of an infection (recognizable by weeping, red areas), you should see your vet.
To prevent autumn grass mites, you can keep the grass in your garden as short as possible. Tick and flea treatments from the vet can also prevent an infestation.
Some dogs like to play with chestnuts. This can be dangerous if the dog swallows the chestnut. It can get stuck in the esophagus or intestines, leading to intestinal obstruction. A chestnut can only be removed surgically, which is a stressful procedure. Dogs should therefore not play with chestnuts. In addition, when unripe, they contain poisonous substances - just like acorns.
If your walk takes you past a lot of chestnut and oak trees and your dog tends to play with them, it's better to keep him on a leash.
The days are getting shorter and walks are more often taking place at dusk or even in the dark. It is therefore even more important that the dogs can be recognized and are visible. Luminous applications on collars or harnesses as well as reflective materials are very helpful here.
In autumn, our dogs slowly develop their "winter jacket" and their fur begins to grow. You can support this by brushing your four-legged friend regularly. During this time, short-haired and small dogs can get cold. You can therefore put a warm coat on them that protects them from the wet.
And if you spend a long time outside and the dog lies or sits in one place for a long time, you should provide him with an insulating mat.
After a nice autumn walk, you should examine your furry friend's paws carefully. Not just because of the autumn grass mites mentioned above. Also watch out for small branches or chestnut thorns, which can be found on the paths, especially in autumn, and can be uncomfortable for your four-legged friend.
In autumn, there can be significant temperature fluctuations: anything from just over 20 degrees to single-digit values. This can also put a strain on our dogs' immune systems. Respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases are not uncommon in autumn. So be careful when coming into contact with unfamiliar dogs.
You can support your and your pet's immune system by making our Golden Paste . Another immune booster - and the perfect companion for autumn walks - is our VEGGIES immune with sea buckthorn and turmeric!
You can find the recipe for the Golden Paste on our blog or on YouTube:
Have fun making it and enjoy!
We wish you a wonderful autumn with bright colors, golden autumn sun and many exciting discoveries!
Alena Thielert
