Fall in Washington means shorter days, steady rain, and trails covered in leaves. It is a beautiful season to have a dog, and a few small habits make it a safer one too.
Watch for wild mushrooms
Damp fall weather brings mushrooms up in yards, parks, and trails across western Washington. Some are harmless and some can be very dangerous to dogs, and they are hard to tell apart.
Check your yard after rainy stretches and remove anything that pops up. On walks, keep curious noses moving. If you think your dog ate a wild mushroom, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic right away and bring a photo or sample if you can.
Be seen on darker walks
Once the clocks change, many walks happen at dusk or in the dark. A reflective collar or harness, a clip-on light, and a reflective jacket for you make it much easier for drivers to see you both.
Stick to familiar, well-lit routes on rainy evenings, and keep a shorter leash near roads.
Mind the wet and the cold
Towel off after walks, especially between toes and under the collar, to help prevent irritated skin. Short-coated and small dogs may appreciate a raincoat or sweater.
Older dogs often feel stiffness more in cold, damp weather. Slip-resistant rugs, a warm bed away from drafts, and gentler, more frequent walks can help. Ask your veterinarian if you notice limping or reluctance to move.
Other seasonal hazards
Antifreeze tastes sweet and is highly toxic, so wipe up drips in garages and driveways. Keep Halloween candy, especially chocolate and anything with xylitol, well out of reach.
Piles of wet leaves can hide sticks, mold, and debris, so supervise digging and rolling.
Keep them busy indoors
When the rain will not quit, swap a long walk for sniffing games, puzzle feeders, and short training sessions. Our rainy-day enrichment guide has easy ideas to get started.
Give an animal a second chance
There are so many animals who still need a safe place to land. Whether you’re ready to adopt, open your home as a foster, or simply want to support our work, there’s a way to help.