In partnership with
Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog of the Day:
Butters!
Meme of the day: Accurate!
You’re invited to the world’s largest email marketing conference.
Become an email marketing guru at the GURU conference. It’s two days full of all things email marketing. Learn more about newsletters, deliverability, design trends, AI, and what NOT to do with email.
What you can expect:
Keynote Speakers: Nicole Kidman, Amy Porterfield & more!
The latest digital trends in email marketing & how to increase performance.
Networking opportunities - each day!
Dj’s, dance contests (judged by Lance Bass, yes for real), breaking world records & MORE!
Spots are limited. It’s VIRTUAL. It’s FREE. It’s time to become an email marketing GURU. Join 25,000+ marketers on November 6th & 7th. Don’t miss out!
YES! I want to register! (US attendees only!)
Cozy Concerns: Protecting Your Pup from Common Fall Illnesses 🍂
Fall is a magical time for you and your canine companion! The crisp air, the crunch of leaves, and longer walks through scenic parks make it a favorite season. However, as the weather changes, so do the potential health risks for our furry friends. Knowing what common illnesses and hazards dogs are prone to in the autumn can help you keep your dog happy, healthy, and full of that playful fall energy!
The Respiratory Ruckus: Kennel Cough and Colds
Just like humans, dogs are more susceptible to colds and respiratory infections as the weather cools and they spend more time indoors, often in close proximity to other dogs.
Kennel Cough (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease): This is one of the most common fall culprits, caused by various agents like Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and canine parainfluenza virus. It's highly contagious and often contracted in places where dogs gather, such as dog parks, boarding facilities, or training classes.
Symptoms: A persistent, dry, hacking cough (often described as a "honking" sound), gagging, sneezing, and nasal discharge.
Prevention: Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up-to-date, especially the Bordetella vaccine if they socialize frequently.
Creepy Crawlies: Parasites and Mites
Don't let the cooler weather fool you—many parasites, especially mites and fleas, remain active well into the fall, and some even thrive!
Harvest Mites (Trombiculidae): These tiny orange creatures are particularly active in late summer and autumn. They live in long grass and foliage and can cause severe itching and skin irritation by attaching to your dog's skin, often found in thin-skinned areas like between the toes, around the ears, or on the belly.
Other Parasites: Ticks are still a concern in many regions, and increased moisture can also lead to issues like lungworm, which is contracted by eating slugs or snails.
Symptoms: Excessive scratching, red spots, small bumps, itching, and visible skin irritation.
Prevention: Maintain your vet-recommended year-round parasite prevention regimen. After walks, especially through wooded or grassy areas, check your dog's fur, paying close attention to the ears, paws, and belly.
Gastrointestinal Grievances: Toxic Foraging
The great outdoors in autumn is full of fascinating (and potentially dangerous) things for a curious dog to sniff, chew, and swallow.
Mushrooms and Fungi: While most mushrooms are harmless, several varieties are highly toxic and can cause everything from digestive upset to liver failure. They often pop up after fall rains.
Acorns and Conkers (Horse Chestnuts): These fallen tree nuts contain toxins (tannin in acorns, aesculin in conkers) that can be poisonous if ingested in quantity, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially kidney or liver issues. They also pose a choking hazard or can cause an intestinal obstruction.
Rotten Leaves/Decaying Material: Leaf piles can hide hazards like sharp objects or, more dangerously, grow mold that produces harmful mycotoxins.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and sometimes tremors or seizures (in severe poisoning cases).
Prevention: Be vigilant on walks! Keep your dog on a leash in wooded areas, don't let them eat anything off the ground, and clear your yard of dangerous nuts, mushrooms, and large piles of decaying leaves.
The Ache of the Cold: Joint Pain and Arthritis
As temperatures drop, older dogs or those with pre-existing conditions like arthritis may experience increased joint pain and stiffness. The cold air can make joints feel less flexible and more achy.
Symptoms: Reluctance to move, difficulty standing up, limping, stiffness, slower pace on walks, or visible discomfort.
Prevention: Provide a warm, soft, orthopedic bed for your dog. Maintain gentle, regular exercise, and talk to your vet about joint supplements (like glucosamine or Omega-3 fatty acids) or pain management options to keep them comfortable through the colder months.
A Note on Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI)
While less understood and mainly reported in the UK, Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI) is a serious condition that appears between August and November, typically within 72 hours of walking in woodland. The cause is unknown, but theories often involve harvest mites. Symptoms are severe and include rapid-onset vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme lethargy. If you notice these signs, seek veterinary care immediately.
The Takeaway
Fall is a perfect time to embrace the outdoors, but it requires a little extra attention to keep your dog safe. Vigilance and prevention are your best tools. Keep up with parasite control, manage joint discomfort, ensure vaccinations are current, and, most importantly, know when to call your vet. With a little care, you and your furry best friend can enjoy the beauty and fun of the autumn season together!
Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Viva - Ground Beef for Dogs and Ground Chicken for Dogs and Cats for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination.
Savage Pet - Cat Food Chicken for potential bird flu exposure.
The Smile Section
Family Photo of the Day:
Bella Rose!
We want to feature your pup!
We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.
Share our newsletter with your friends!
Meme of the day: @coffilabdogs
