10/13/2026
Scary or Safe? Do You Know About These Fall Hazards for Pets?
Autumn has officially begun! Cooler weather, changing leaves and spooky season are upon us. But there are still some scary things we need to protect our pets from this fall. Let’s learn what’s safe and what’s not-so-safe for our four-legged friends in this week's blog.
Scary: Wild Mushrooms—While not all wild mushrooms are toxic, many look alike and it can be difficult to distinguish between a safe mushroom and one that’s poisonous. Pennsylvania has several poisonous mushrooms that can grow in the woods as well as in our backyards and can cause serious liver damage and even death if ingested. The most common toxic mushroom is the Death Cap mushroom, Amanita phalloides. Other types of mushrooms may cause vomiting or neurologic symptoms. If you suspect your pet has eaten a mushroom, seek veterinary care immediately. Mushroom ingestion poses a serious emergency and early medical intervention may save your pet.
Safe: Pumpkin/Squash, Sweet Potatoes, and Apples—while mushrooms are often toxic, some fall foods that pets can safely eat are pumpkins and apples. Pumpkin should preferably be of the canned variety, but you can feed cooked pumpkin or squash to reduce the chance of stomach upset. Also, make sure pumpkins are an edible and not decorative variety before feeding to your pet. Many pets also love apples. Remove stems, seeds and cores before feeding and don’t overdo it! Cooked yams or sweet potatoes are also a tasty form of fiber for pets.
Scary: Acorns, Mums, Corn Cobs
—Acorns are a clear favorite among squirrels and other wild animals. But acorns can lead to intestinal blockage or choking if swallowed, but they can actually be toxic due to compounds called tannins. Tannins are also found in oak leaves and bark and can cause stomach irritation with vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In high amounts, tannins can lead to liver or kidney damage.
--Mums look beautiful in many fall decorations; however, they can be toxic to dogs and cats. Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins and other compounds that can cause excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, and, if ingested in large amounts, incoordination and tremors. Prevent access to fall flowers such as mums if you have dogs or cats.
--Corn Cobs—corn cobs are also used in many fall decorations or left over in corn fields after the harvest. Corn cobs are especially dangerous to dogs if eaten as they are the perfect size and shape to lodge in the intestine causing a potentially life-threatening obstruction that usually needs surgical intervention to remove the blockage. Never give dogs corn cobs to play with, and make sure pets don’t have unsupervised access to corn fields or decorative corn cobs.
Safe: Leaf Piles or pet-friendly Corn Mazes—While oak leaves and corn cobs can be a threat if ingested, many dogs enjoy playing in piles of leaves or taking a stroll with their owners through a pet friendly corn maze. If you are raking a leaf pile for your pet to play in, be careful to remove any rocks or sticks and supervise your pet so he or she does not eat the leaves. And, if you take your pet to a corn maze, make sure he or she doesn’t snag any cobs!
Scary: Ticks—these eight-legged pests do not die off in the fall and winter and are often more active in the fall, especially species like the blacklegged or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis. Adult blacklegged ticks reach their peak activity in October and November and remain active to temperatures close to freezing. Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Continue to check pets for ticks throughout the fall, especially if you have outdoor cats or go hiking in the woods with your dog.
Safe: Flea and Tick Preventatives—a variety of safe and effective flea and tick products are available these days and should be used year-round to prevent pets from acquiring these parasites. There are topical and chewable options as well as options like Seresto Collars or Wondercide spray. Fleas and ticks carry diseases and can cause severe skin irritation in many pets. Protect your pet with a good, veterinary approved flea and tick preventative. Ask our staff for options to see what’s right for your pet!
As you can see, while there are some scary things out there that could harm your pet this fall, there are plenty of fun fall activities and treats as well. Have a happy and safe autumn!
This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital, serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/autumn-safety-tips
