Healthy and happy with your dog through autumn

Opinions can be divided about autumn: Some love romantic walks in the colourful splendour of the falling leaves, others long for the warmer and drier days of summer. Dogs certainly feel the same way.

That's why we've put together the following tips on how to get through autumn in good health with your four-legged friend:

• Defy wet and cold autumn days with the right clothing: It gets wetter again in the third season. It rains more often and the lower temperatures mean that leaves and meadows dry out more slowly. This is clearly noticeable for pets on walks. If you don't want to miss out on going for a walk in the rain, you should opt for rainwear for animals. These protect most of the body and minimise the need to dry the fur. To make rubbing the dog dry as efficient as possible, it is best to have dry towels ready right behind the front door or in the car. Used towels should be replaced regularly, even when they are dry again, to prevent parasites from multiplying. If it gets significantly colder, warm clothing should also be available, depending on the breed of dog. Some dog breeds are happy when summer is over and feel really comfortable in the colder seasons thanks to their fur. Other breeds are dependent on warm clothing due to their shorter fur or lack of undercoat. There is a large selection in the specialised trade, so that something suitable can be found for every animal. But be careful: if your furry friend runs around a lot, it can get too warm. Although most dogs have no problems with clothing, if, for example, a puppy has not yet had any experience with it, it should be put on for a short period of time beforehand so that you are not standing in the rain in an emergency.

• Reflectors offer safety and protection in the dark: In autumn, it gradually gets light later and later, but it also gets dark much earlier. For many, the morning and evening hours are the only times when they can go out with their rascal. Due to the poor visibility, there is now a risk that other road users will not notice the animal and accidentally injure it. When buying dog clothing, you should therefore make sure that reflectors are sewn on to increase visibility in traffic. If your four-legged friend is "naked" or travelling in areas without light sources, a luminous collar can also help.

• Coat inspection and care are particularly important now: As already mentioned, you should rub your pet's coat dry if necessary. This prevents dirt in the home and diseases. If the dog does not come into the warm immediately but has to travel in a cold car, for example, this is particularly important. Even four-legged friends can catch a cold! In addition to drying, the coat must also be checked. In autumn there is also a risk of ticks, which feel very comfortable in fallen leaves at moderate temperatures. Autumn grass mites can also be found here. If the dog scratches itself frequently, look out for reddish-orange spots, which indicate the presence of mites. If an infestation is present, the vet should be consulted. The coat inspection also serves to remove leaves, beechnuts etc. which could otherwise lead to unpleasant matting in the coat or otherwise be lying around in the home. In general, a lot of attention should now be paid to the coat, as most breeds are now changing their coat. Regular combing and brushing is not only good for your dog, but also prevents the household from being completely covered in dog hair.

• Autumn is the time to play: Now is also the time to come up with new ideas to pass the time on walks. For example, you can hide toys or treats in piles of leaves and let your pet search for them. However, this is often not even necessary, as dogs usually find fallen leaves irresistible anyway and love to rummage around in them. The supply of broken branches is also significantly higher in autumn, so there are often enough sticks to throw. This ensures sufficient exercise so that both humans and animals don't get too cold. Sufficient exercise can also prevent possible depression. Just like humans, four-legged friends tend to become listless and lethargic when there are fewer hours of daylight. In addition, a fit dog that is outside in the fresh air more often has a much better immune system.

• Respect for wild animals and their habitat: However, make sure that your pet does not rummage through existing piles of leaves when playing. Hedgehogs may have set up their winter quarters in them, especially near woods. If your pet is romping through the woods, watch out for other animals too. Wild animals are much more active in autumn as they prepare for winter. The chance of a hare getting in front of your dog's snout is higher now and some hunters may use their firearms if a dog is poaching. If in doubt, keep your dog on a long lead.

• Lots of running around in autumn can help your dog lose weight: the cold weather can cause your dog's energy consumption to rise sharply. Now is the time to check your dog's weight regularly, as weight loss is sometimes not immediately visible. If your dog is losing weight, you should switch to a food with a higher protein and fat content. We recommend, for example, Junior BIO chicken with apple and buckwheat for puppies and BIO beef with courgette and rice flakes for adult dogs.

With this in mind, Liebesgut Tiernahrung wishes you a sunny and dry autumn!

Our recommendations for your four-legged friend:

Tasting packs for dogs

BIO dog food