Ready for autumn?

Autumn is upon us once again in all its golden and orange glory.

The perfect time to take your favourite four-legged friend(s) out and enjoy it.
And with the right preparations, you can enjoy it more than once.

Looking is allowed, touching (and eating) is not.

Autumn brings not only the most beautiful colours, but also acorns, pine cones and mushrooms. And these are the ones that can throw a spanner in the works.

* Mushrooms can be very poisonous, just like humans.
* Too many young, green acorns can cause problems: the high tannin content can make your dog vomit, cause stomach pains and diarrhoea, and even lead to kidney failure.
* Wild chestnuts are also a no-no: eating them can cause neurological problems such as confusion and epilepsy.
* Also beware of beechnuts: they can cause digestive problems such as nausea and vomiting.
* Finally, don't let your dog play with pine cones and twigs as they can splinter and damage the gastrointestinal tract.

If you have a curious dog who finds it difficult to stay away from everything, take a toy with you so he can fetch it.

Finally, do not forget to feed the inner dog: your dog could use a pick-me-up during and/or after a brisk walk. Provide nutritious snacks and take water with you when you go for a long walk.

The dark months

As the days get shorter and darker, make sure you and your furry friend are visible at all times. Provide lights, reflective bands, vests, etc.


A winter coat in top condition

Unfortunately, autumn brings with it not only the most beautiful colours, but also unpleasant, wet weather and drizzly days.
Again, a prepared man/woman is worth 2.

* Keep your dog nice and warm, with a jacket if necessary. And dry him well after a walk in wet weather, slow drying is not good for the coat. Tip: Never leave a wet dog out in the cold. Wet coats no longer insulate, so your dog will cool down more quickly.
* Rolling in the mud, digging, sprinting through piles of leaves... super fun, but super dirty afterwards. Buy a good dog shampoo to help clean up and prevent tangles. 
* If your dog is also moulting, his coat could use a boost. Try Frama Evening Primrose Oil and/or horse fat.

Even in autumn, ticks and fleas can still be around. Talk to your vet about this and take the necessary precautions. Also, after a nice autumn walk, check your favourite pet's coat for ticks to avoid bringing these pesky critters home with you.

Building winter resistance

During the winter months, resistance decreases, not only in humans but also in dogs. So now is the ideal time to boost your dog's resistance and get him through the winter in good health.

* Feed your dog a healthy diet tailored to his needs. This will ensure a well-functioning digestive system and healthy gut flora, which is essential for a healthy immune system.
* Sometimes your dog just needs a little extra, give him probiotics. Your dog can also use these after a course of antibiotics. Echinacea also gives a boost.
* Take him outside several times a day for fresh air. And keep your house well ventilated to give viruses less of a chance.
* Find a good balance between rest and exercise: most dogs need up to 16 hours of rest a day.
* Make a healthy broth from organic bones, which will boost the immune system due to the amount of minerals and amino acids.

Gathering winter pounds?

Is your dog a real couch potato who spends the winter lazing around the stove? If so, make sure you do not feed him more food to prevent him from putting on extra winter pounds. On the other hand, does your dog play outside a lot in the winter? If so, consider giving him a little more food, as the cold will make him use more energy to keep warm and keep his insulating layer of fat in place.