Forecasting the Fall: Pet Edition

Happy first day of Fall, y’all! As Texans, it’s tough to take a lot of stock in any official start to a new season – and this autumn doesn’t look to be much different. Above-normal temperatures will continue to be the ‘normal’ for us around North Texas. What does this kind of weather mean for us though? And (even more importantly), how will it affect our furry four-legged family members? Let’s take a look! 

Heat-Related Illness 

This heat can’t last forever, right? While cooler days will come, there are still hot days ahead. Overall, the average temperatures for fall in DFW have increased 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit. There are still sure to be some scorchers ahead. On these days, please limit outdoor activities for your pet. Even with the best care possible, heat stroke in pets is very serious and the prognosis is often very poor.

Keep those pets (and especially your doggos) inside and hydrated! 

Insects 

With the increase of warmer temperatures and warmer weather lasting longer, the bugs are more numerous and stick around longer too! For your pets, the mosquitos and ticks become the biggest threat. These pests have the ability to pass along different diseases like heartworm disease and Lyme disease to you canines. While we can appreciate the recent rains in North Texas, this also means the mosquitos are in full force following the deluge – including the aptly named ‘flood water mosquito.’

For your dog, the best course of action is prevention! Contact AVC so your doggo is up to date on tick and heartworm prevention medications.  

Allergies 

But it’s always allergy season in DFW, right? No matter the time of the year, there’s always some kind of pollen to wreak havoc on our sinuses – and this season, ragweed is expected to be a major culprit of sneezing and wheezing. Again, the recent rainfall has exacerbated this season’s ragweed problem.

For your pets, they can be just as susceptible to the effects, but ragweed doesn’t present itself quite in the same way as our own sneezing and runny noses. More often, you’ll see your feline or canine itching more than normal along with dry, flaky skin and bumps or rash.

If you suspect your pet might be dealing with ragweed allergies, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help. 

Air Quality 

And finally, let’s not forget the effects of air pollutants on our fuzzy friends. When we live in such a densely populated area like the Metroplex, high temperatures plus air pollution can make for a deadly combination. Don’t forget to monitor the air quality index when checking the daily forecast. Your pets can be more prone to nose, throat, and lung diseases like asthma and bronchitis with poor air quality.

Besides keeping pets indoors on bad days, consider using an air purifier when they’re indoors, reduce chemical pesticides in your yard, and time outdoor activities when air quality is at its best (sometimes this is during the middle of the afternoon).
Simply put, be sure to check the forecast – perhaps even a couple of times a day to make sure you and your pets are set to tackle the most ‘Texas-y’ fall since, well… last year.  

Be sure to check out our other blogs for more tips, tricks, and education when it comes to you and your pet!