The first cold morning of autumn is a real turning point in any dog household. The leads come out a little later, the walks come back a little muddier, and at least one member of the family (usually the one with four legs) decides that the sofa is now a year-round residence. Seasonal changes affect dogs far more than most of us realise – from their coats and skin to their routines, their paws and even what they find on a walk.
So, with the clocks going back on Sunday 25 October and the heating about to go on, here's our guide to how the changing seasons affect your dog, and what's actually worth doing about it.
Their coat is on a different calendar to you
Many dogs, especially double-coated breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies and Pomeranians, shed more heavily as the seasons turn. Changing daylight is thought to be a big part of what tells the coat it's time to swap summer fur for something warmer. The result: tumbleweeds of fur in every corner and a dog who looks faintly smug about it.
A good brush a few times a week helps get the loose undercoat out before it ends up on your cushions. If you're currently hoovering up a second dog every morning, our guide to why your dog is shedding so much right now explains what's normal and when to look closer.
Central heating and dry, itchy skin
Once the radiators go on, the air indoors gets drier – and so can your dog's skin. You might notice more scratching, a bit of dandruff, or a coat that's lost its shine. Dogs who love to lie with their back pressed against a radiator are the usual suspects.
A few simple things help:
- Give them a bed away from direct heat
- Keep fresh water available at all times
- Avoid bathing too often, which can strip natural oils
- Choose gentle, skin-friendly products that support the skin's natural balance rather than stripping it
If the itching is constant, the skin looks red or sore, or the coat starts thinning, that's one for your vet rather than your bathroom cabinet.
Mud, wet leaves and the great paw problem
Autumn walks are glorious, and they come home with you. Wet paws that stay damp between the toes are a perfect spot for bacteria and yeast to thrive, which is why that toasty, biscuity paw smell can get a lot stronger in the wetter months. Our very British guide to unsavoury dog smells explains which smells are normal and which aren't.
The simple fix is to towel-dry paws properly after every wet walk, and to keep the fur between the toes neatly trimmed so it doesn't hold on to moisture and muck.
Not every muddy walk needs a full bath, either. For everyday grime between proper washes, a waterless foam does a surprisingly civilised job – there's more on that in our piece on dry shampoo for dogs between baths.
Darker evenings and shifting routines
Dogs are creatures of habit, and they have no idea the clocks have gone back. Overnight, breakfast is "late", the evening walk is suddenly in the dark, and you've got a very confused dog staring at you at 5am.
- Ease into the clock change. Shift mealtimes and walks by 10–15 minutes a day in the week before, rather than all at once.
- Be seen. Darker evenings mean more accidents. A reflective or light-up collar, harness or lead makes a real difference, and a torch helps you spot what they're about to eat.
- Make up for shorter walks. If walks get shorter, add some indoor games, sniffing puzzles or training sessions to keep bored dogs out of mischief.
Cold weather and older joints
Small, short-coated, very young and older dogs feel the cold the most. Many owners notice older dogs seem stiffer on cold, damp mornings. A warm, draught-free bed, a coat for those who genuinely need one (Frenchies and Whippets, we're looking at you), and a gentle warm-up at the start of a walk all help. If your dog seems stiff, sore or reluctant to move, it's worth a chat with your vet – it's not "just old age" until they've ruled out anything treatable.
The autumn hazards worth knowing
This is the genuinely useful bit. Autumn brings a few seasonal dangers that don't exist the rest of the year.
Conkers, acorns and mushrooms
Conkers contain a toxin called aesculin and can also cause blockages. Acorns are toxic to dogs too, and some wild mushrooms can be very dangerous – even experts struggle to tell the safe ones from the harmful ones. Keep a close eye on scavengers in the woods, and bring a better distraction than whatever they've just found.
Fallen fruit and leaf piles
Rotting leaves and fermenting windfall fruit can upset stomachs. Tempting as a leaf pile is for a good roll, it's best not to let them eat from it.
Harvest mites and ticks
Tiny orange-red harvest mites love the belly, paws, ears and eyes, and can cause intense itching. Ticks are also still around after woodland walks. Check your dog over when you get home, and ask your vet about suitable parasite protection.
Seasonal Canine Illness
Seasonal Canine Illness is a rare condition seen in autumn, especially in September, after dogs have walked in woodland. Its cause still isn't known. Signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, tiredness, stomach pain, muscle tremors and a high temperature, usually within 72 hours of a woodland walk. If you see these, contact your vet straight away – with early treatment, most dogs recover.
Antifreeze and road salt
Antifreeze tastes sweet to dogs and is extremely toxic, even in small amounts, so store it securely and clean up any drips on drives straight away. Once the gritters are out, rock salt can irritate paws and make dogs ill if they lick it off, so rinse or wipe paws after walks on gritted roads.
If you ever suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, call your vet immediately rather than waiting to see.
Fireworks season
And of course, autumn brings Bonfire Night, plus several increasingly lawless weeks of fireworks either side of it. If your dog takes it personally, it's worth planning ahead now rather than improvising on the night. We've put together a whole guide to Bonfire Night, anxiety and how hemp and valerian can help.
The bottom line
Seasonal changes affect dogs in all sorts of small ways: thicker coats, drier skin, muddier paws, confused body clocks and a few genuine hazards on the woodland floor. None of it needs to be dramatic. A good brush, properly dried paws, a sensible routine and a watchful eye on what goes in their mouth will see most dogs through to spring looking – and smelling – considerably more fabulous than the weather would suggest.
If you fancy giving your dog's coat a little extra love this autumn, our Prebiotic Leave-In Coat Spray is a lovely finishing touch after a good brush.
