Keep Your Pet Healthy This Fall

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, fall is one of the best times of year to get outside with your pets. But just like people, dogs and cats face seasonal health concerns that are important to keep in mind. At Allendale Veterinary Hospital, our team is here to help your companions stay safe, healthy, and comfortable in every season.

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Here are our top fall pet health tips to guide you this autumn:

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Halloween Safety for Pets

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Halloween is an annual event that many children and adults look forward to enthusiastically, anticipating a day and evening filled with masks ,candy, and pranks. But this holiday can be particularly spooky for the furry children in your family. To make Halloween fun for all your family members, take note of these Halloween safety tips for your pet:

• Keep candy and chocolate away from your pet: Those tempting bowls of candy are seemingly everywhere and can be dangerous for your pets. If your pet sneaks away with candy and ingests the wrapper, it could lead to severe problems in its digestive tract. While all candies and treats are off-limits to pets, two types of candies are especially dangerous:
  
  • Sugar-Free Candies containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol
  • Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate. Chocolates contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs and cats.‍
• Pet costumes: As cute as Halloween costumes are, not all pets are comfortable in costumes. Costumes need to fit properly without restricting movement, causing trouble breathing, or rubbing anywhere, which may cause skin irritation. Make sure to supervise pets the entire time they wear the costume. Leave it on for a short period of time, then remove the costume if it makes your pet uncomfortable or if they are trying to chew any part of their costume. 

• Keep Halloween decorations out of reach: Before you hang up any seasonal decor, make sure it is safe for your pet to be around. Dangerous Halloween decorations include:
  
  • Electrical cords and wires
  • Open flame
  • Rotting pumpkins
  • Glow sticks
  • Fog machines
  • Fake cobwebs‍
• Ensure your pet's ID and microchip are up to date: The constant opening and closing of the door can provide an opportunity for a frightened animal to run out into the dark night. 

• Keep anxious pets calm: One of the most common worries for both dogs and cats is the stress caused by Halloween. The doorbell may ring constantly as trick-or-treaters arrive, and this type of activity can be confusing and frightening to your pets. 
  
  • Provide a quiet, safe zone for your pet.
  • Put on the TV or calming background music.
  • Try a thunder shirt.
  • Ask your veterinarian about anxiolytics such as Trazadone or Gabapentin.

Stay Up to Date on Vaccines

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Fall often brings travel, boarding, and gatherings, making dog and cat vaccines essential. Core and lifestyle vaccines help protect against illnesses like:

• Rabies
• Bordetella (kennel cough)
• Canine influenza
• Feline leukemia (FeLV)

If you’re unsure which vaccines your pet needs, our veterinarians can make personalized recommendations during a wellness exam.

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Tip: If your pet hasn’t had their annual exam yet, now’s a great time to schedule one.

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Schedule a Fall Wellness Exam

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A seasonal check-up at our veterinary hospital is one of the best ways to prevent problems before they become serious. Cooler months can reveal or worsen conditions such as:

• Arthritis and joint stiffness
• Dry, itchy skin
• Weight gain from less activity
• Hidden dental disease

During your pet’s wellness exam, we’ll perform a full physical, run diagnostics in our in-house pet lab if needed, and provide guidance for nutrition, exercise, and preventive care.

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Maintain a Healthy Weight

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With less daylight and cooler weather, pets often get less exercise while still enjoying plenty of fall treats. Even a few extra pounds can lead to diabetes, heart disease, or joint pain. Our veterinarians can create a customized diet and fitness plan to keep your pet healthy year-round.

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Flea and Tick Prevention Doesn't Stop in the Fall

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Fleas and ticks don’t disappear with summer. In New Jersey, ticks remain active year-round, even through the late Fall and well into Winter, and fleas can live indoors year-round. Year-round protection is the best defense against conditions like Lyme disease, tapeworms, and flea dermatitis. If you’re unsure which product is best, our veterinary team will help you choose a safe, effective option.

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Fall Safety Around the Home

• Decor: Keep candles, essential oils, and plants like chrysanthemums out of reach.
• Warmth: Provide cozy bedding away from cold floors and drafts.
• Senior pets: Older pets may benefit from orthopedic beds, joint supplements, or extra mobility support.

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Fall Pet Health Checklist

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✔️ Schedule a wellness exam.

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✔️Update vaccines and parasite prevention.

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✔️Ask about supplements for joint support.

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✔️ Watch for weight gain.

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✔️ Keep festive decor and candy out of reach.

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Fall Into Better Health with Allendale Veterinary Hospital

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Every season brings new joys and new ways we can support your pet’s well-being. From vaccines to parasite prevention to senior support, our veterinary team is here to keep tails wagging and whiskers twitching all autumn long.