As the crisp air rolls in and the leaves start to fall, autumn brings fresh sights, smells, and plenty of outdoor adventures for pets. But with the changing weather comes a new set of challenges, from cooler temperatures to increased shedding and muddy walks. Whether you share your home with dogs, cats, or small animals, keeping them comfortable and healthy during the autumn months is easy with a few seasonal tweaks.
1. Keep them warm on cooler days
Shorter days and cooler temperatures can make pets feel the chill, especially short-haired breeds, kittens, seniors and small animals. Add cosy bedding in draught-free spots, and consider self-warming blankets or pads for cats and small furries. If your pet snoozes near the floor, elevate beds slightly to reduce cold seeping up from hard surfaces.
2. Refresh grooming for the autumn shed
Many pets blow their summer coat in autumn. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair before it mats and spreads around your home. For cats, consistent grooming also reduces hairball risk; you can support this with a hairball relief paste and a hydrating diet. Gentle grooming also keeps skin healthy as indoor heating starts to dry the air.
3. Make muddy walks low-stress
Rain and leaf mulch mean dirty paws and bellies. Keep a towel by the door, use a gentle pet-safe dry shampoo between baths, and wipe paws after every walk to protect floors and reduce the chance of skin irritation. A quick daily wipe keeps moisture from lingering between toes, where yeast and bacteria like to grow.
4. Boost visibility on darker evenings
Dusk arrives earlier, so visibility matters. Reflective collars, harnesses and ID tags help pets stand out to drivers and cyclists. If you walk beside roads or across fields at night, reflective leads and clip-on lights add another layer of safety. Always make sure your pet’s ID tag details are up to date before the darker months set in.
5. Stay ahead of fleas and ticks
Milder autumns mean parasites can persist longer than you think. Keep up monthly preventatives and treat bedding regularly. If your cat or ferret ranges outdoors, continue using a vet-approved spot-on and check fur after walks or garden time. Wash bedding and blankets on a hot cycle, and vacuum areas where pets rest to remove hidden eggs and larvae.
6. Support joints and senior comfort
Cool, damp weather can make stiff joints feel stiffer. Provide padded, non-slip resting areas, keep exercise consistent but gentle, and consider joint-support supplements if appropriate. Shorter, more frequent walks can be kinder than one long trek in chilly rain. Indoors, encourage light play to keep muscles warm and mobile.
7. Adjust feeding for energy and weight balance
Activity patterns often shift in autumn. If walks shorten or outdoor cats spend more time inside, watch body condition and adjust portions to maintain a healthy weight. For small animals, provide top-quality hay and roughage to balance richer seasonal treats. Remember that indoor pets often need less food when they’re less active, but some may need slightly more if they’re exposed to cooler air.
8. Calm fireworks and storm worries early
Autumn in the UK often brings fireworks and blustery weather. Begin desensitisation early by creating a quiet den, playing white noise during expected displays, and trialling gentle, pet-safe calming aids if your vet agrees. Keep windows closed, curtains drawn and music playing to soften loud bangs. Updating microchip and ID details ensures pets can be reunited quickly if they panic and escape.
9. Leaf-litter safety and yard checks
Piles of damp leaves look fun but can hide hazards like sharp sticks, fungus or discarded food. Keep explorations supervised and rinse paws after play. Check fences and gates after storms, as high winds loosen latches and topple panels. Survey gardens for toxic mushrooms and berries before pets head outside each morning.
10. Indoor enrichment on rainy days
When the weather turns, keep minds busy with puzzle feeders, scent games and short training sessions. Swap or rotate toys weekly to maintain interest. Even ten minutes of clicker work, hide-and-seek or foraging can satisfy energetic pets until the next dry spell. Enrichment reduces boredom and anxiety, which often rise as outdoor time drops.
Quick Checklist for an Easy Autumn
- Warm bedding away from draughts, plus self-warming pads for chill-prone pets
- Reflective collars and harnesses for evening safety; ID tags up to dat
- Flea and tick preventatives kept on schedule, bedding washed hot
- Daily paw wipes and periodic dry-shampoo tidy-ups after muddy walks
- Joint support: padded resting spots, non-slip mats, steady gentle exercise
- Feeding tweaks to match activity; plenty of fibre for small animals
- Firework prep: safe den, early practice, approved calming support
- Yard sweep after storms; supervise leaf-pile play
- Rainy-day enrichment: puzzle feeders, training bursts, toy rotation
