🍂 Getting Your Pup Ready for Fall: Essential Transition Tips for Health and Happiness

We've officially moved past "fourth summer" and are settling into the real fall season, heading toward Thanksgiving! This seasonal shift provides a perfect opportunity to adjust routines and focus on the health and wellness of your beloved pup. Being proactive now sets your dog up for a healthy and happy transition into the colder months.

🩺 Proactive Health and Wellness:

Expert pet owners know that autumn is the best time to address health needs.

• Vet Visits Now, Not Later: Fall is typically a low-traffic period for veterinarians, as most people wait until spring. Take advantage of this quieter time to easily schedule necessary checkups and vaccinations. Doing this now ensures you won't be delayed in the spring when you need items like heartwormer products, or if your pup needs grooming but lacks required vaccinations.

• Fight the Fleas and Ticks: Many owners ease up on prevention during the summer, but spring and fall are prime seasons when flea and tick activity is at its highest. Put flea and tick products on right now. As outside temperatures drop, these parasites seek warmth and can easily be brought inside your house, where they may propagate in the 70° interior throughout the winter. Remember that ticks are often transferred by deer and are found underneath broad, leafy things along paths—they feel vibrations from walking and jump on!

🍎 Grooming and Nutrition:

As routines change, so should how you manage your dog's coat and diet.

• Fall Grooming: Catch up on grooming to prepare for the season. When a dog's hair is shorter, it is much easier to manage, as leaves and grass cling less to their fur during outside walks, making clean-up a breeze.

• Pumpkin—The Great Neutralizer: As you notice more fall treats in pet stores, be mindful of changes to your dog’s nutrition. Pumpkin is highly recommended because it is a fantastic regulator: it stiffens loose stool and loosens stiff stool. Incorporating pureed or high-fiber canned pumpkin (even a small teaspoon every morning) can help regulate bowel movements and aid digestion.

• Adjusting for Activity: Dogs often slow down as we slow down, which means they might eat less in the winter. If you continue feeding the same amount, they could gain weight. If cold or snow keeps you indoors, ensure your dog remains active and stimulated by using indoor solutions, such as balls or active treat bowls where they have to work to get the kibble out. This prevents boredom, which can often lead to destructive behavior.

🎃 Training and Holiday Safety: Preparing for Guests and Treats

The upcoming holiday season brings joy, but also new hazards and social challenges.

• Holiday Hazards: The holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) mean more chocolates and candies in the house. Be vigilant about harmful products like chocolate and the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs. Safer sweet alternatives for dogs include blueberries (which have almost no sugar) and carrots, as well as green beans.

• Guest Training: As the holiday season approaches, you’ll likely have guests. To prevent "pandemonium" and stress, train your dog to accept strangers calmly. First, exercise your dog until they are worn out before guests arrive (make them run!). Then, slowly work on training with strangers so they learn that guests are a positive, calm experience.

Ready to make these essential fall transitions?

If you're ready to stock up on supplies, flea prevention, or get some expert grooming done, Petland Iowa City, located in the Marketplace Mall, 1851 Lower Muscatine Road in Iowa City, has all the supplies and services you need—from nail clippings to tracking your pet food purchases. Visit petlandiacity.com or call 319-351-9451 to explore how to keep your pet happy and healthy this fall.