Autumn is a busy time for many families, the kids go back to school, schedules change, and it’s time to put away some of the summer stuff and pull out the blankets and long-sleeve shirts. It’s also an important time of year for maintenance on your house and cars. However, don’t forget to make sure your pet is safe and happy as the seasonal transitions begin.

Here are 5 Fall pet tips to keep them safe and happy:

1: Be careful with any insecticides and rodenticides. Using toxic poison to repel unwanted critters from making a home in your home can put your pet in danger. If your dog or cat ingests any of the poisons it can be fatal. Instead try using humane mousetraps but if you must use some rodenticides, keep the carton out of reach of your pet and use it in areas that are inaccessible to your pet.

2: Keep your pet warm. If your pet has had a shorter cut for the warmer months, it is time to let it start growing in. If your pet has little or no hair, it’s time to pull out the pet sweaters. Also, make sure there are no drafts near your four-footed friend’s bed and and dry your dog well during cooler days after a bath to prevent chills.

3: Car maintenance and coolants can be dangerous to your pet. Cooler weather means it is time to weatherize the car and change the coolant. Instead of using a ethylene glycol based one try switching to a propylene glycol based one. The propylene one is less toxic to pets. Your dog or cat may walk through a small puddle in the garage so make sure to clean up after you’re done. Also, now is the time when you check under the car before starting it as cats may snuggle up to sleep near a warm engine on cold days.

4: Watch out for snakes! Snakes are starting to look for places to hibernate for the winter and they can be pretty hostile about being disturbed. If your dog and you are on a hike, be careful of letting him dig around and run through bushes. Snake bites can be harmful to your pet and some snakes are venomous. Keep your pets away from areas where snakes tend to hang out.

5: Keep cats inside! Cooler weather seems to bring out more critters at night. If your cat does go outside, make sure he’s in by evening. Coyotes, raccoons, and possums can get into scuffles with your cat and it can end badly.

Courtesy: petswelcome.com