While the weather continues to fluctuate, cooler temps are right around the corner. Here are 5 steps you can take to help prepare your fur baby for the changing fall weather.
1. Check Tags and Microchips
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), only about 56% of microchipped pets were actually registered when animal shelters attempted to locate their owners. Just as popular custom suggests checking your smoke alarm batteries when we set our clocks back this November 6 in California, it’s also a good time to ensure that your pet’s microchip registry is up-to-date and has all your accurate information. And while you’re at it, make sure your animal’s tags are securely fastened and your phone number is legible.
2. Prepare for Changing of the Seasons
Cold weather can be hard, even deadly, on our fur babies. Like people, cats, dogs and horses are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia when the temps drop. Make sure to bring your animals in at night and avoid leaving pets outside longer than a few minutes when the thermostat plunges below 45 degrees F. Also, be aware that a warm car engine offers a tempting heat source for outdoor cats and rodents, so you might want to make some noise – bang on the hood or honk the horn – before starting your engine to warn any would-be “stowaways” that may be lurking under the hood.
3. Prepare for Tick Season
Ticks love to come out of hiding just after it rains so be on the lookout for these tiny pests while traversing the local trails with your pet. Ticks typically perch on the tips of tall grass and brush and can easily jump on a host animal brushing past. Check your dog or cat regularly for ticks and promptly remove any that you find. You might also try a DIY spray of essential oils, such as lemon, orange, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint and rose geranium, to keep the parasites at bay during the upcoming wet weather months.
4. Free the Fur!
Your pet’s fur helps keep them dry and warm in the chillier months, so it’s best to let their fur coats grow out, especially if you’ve been shaving them over the summer. Even mountain breeds with thick undercoats, like Great Pyrenees and Huskies, will need to acclimate to the colder weather. Consider the 45-degree F mark as a basic threshold to monitor your pet’s exposure to the elements. When temps fall below that level, keep a close eye out for cold-related issues, especially in smaller, thin-coated, extremely young and senior animals.
5. Book Early for the Holidays and Beyond
While it may seem like we just celebrated Fourth of July, the holidays will be here before you know it! If you’re planning a trip and haven’t already made pet-sitting arrangements for your pet, it’s time to book. Make sure to check the Services page on my website, for rates over the holidays and holiday weekends. I am now accepting bookings through the beginning of 2023!
Until we meet again, enjoy the cooler fall weather!
Thanks for your continued support, Kayle