Pacific Northwest Dog Safety: Essential Fall Hazards and Prevention Tips

Living in the Pacific Northwest means we have some pretty amazing places to explore with our dogs—trails, beaches, parks, forests, and our own backyards. It also means rain, mushrooms, salmon, wildlife, and dogs who seem to believe that anything sufficiently disgusting deserves further investigation. 

After many years as a veterinary technician, I tend to look at outdoor adventures through two lenses: enjoy the adventure…and know what you really don’t want your dog putting in their mouth—or on their feet.

Salmon Poisoning Disease

This is a big one in the Pacific Northwest.

Dogs can become seriously ill after eating raw or undercooked salmon, trout, or steelhead that may carry an infected parasite. Even the Pacific giant salamander can carry this parasite. Dead or decomposing fish and fish parts along rivers, streams, and beaches can be especially tempting to dogs. Unfortunately, salmon poisoning disease can be fatal without treatment.

Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes. Signs don't necessarily appear right after your dog eats the fish, so the connection may not be obvious.

If you know or suspect your dog ate raw salmon, trout, or a fish carcass, call your veterinarian instead of waiting for symptoms to appear. Early treatment is important.

Fall Mushrooms

Fall rain brings mushrooms—and lots of them!

Many mushrooms cause little more than stomach upset, but others can cause serious illness, including liver or neurologic damage. And our dogs don't necessarily need to sit down and eat a mushroom for us to think about exposure.

Your pup may race through a patch of mushrooms and lick their feet later. A favorite ball can roll through a patch and go right back into their mouth. Sometimes it's the less obvious exposure that's easy to miss.

A little prevention can go a long way. Before playing fetch or letting your dog race around the yard, take a quick look around. If mushrooms are popping up where your dog spends time, take some clear photos and try to identify what you're seeing. Knowing which mushrooms are growing in your yard or favorite play areas can help you know what actually warrants concern rather than treating every mushroom like an emergency. When in doubt, the safe course is to keep your dog away from them.

Remove mushrooms from areas your dog uses when you can, and after walks or playing in areas where mushrooms are growing, give those feet a quick wipe before coming back inside.

If your dog does eat a wild mushroom, take photos of the mushroom, including the cap, stem, underside, and surrounding area if you can safely do so. If possible, collect a sample and contact your veterinarian or a pet poison resource for guidance.

Standing Water & Leptospirosis

To us: muddy puddle.

To a dog: artisanal outdoor drinking water.

Unfortunately, standing water can carry bacteria and other contaminants. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals and can contaminate water and soil. Dogs can be exposed through puddles, ponds, wet soil, and other contaminated environments.

Leptospirosis can cause serious kidney and liver disease, and it can also infect people. Talk with your veterinarian about whether the leptospirosis vaccine is appropriate for your dog, bring fresh water on outings, and do your best to discourage drinking from questionable water sources.

Halloween: Keep an Eye on the Sidewalk!

Halloween adds another little adventure to our walks—candy!

With excited kids, overflowing treat bags, and lots going on, a few treats are bound to escape along the way. And naturally, our dogs are excellent at spotting these treasures long before we do.

Chocolate is one to watch for, and darker chocolate is generally more concerning. How much your dog eats, the type of chocolate, and your dog's size all matter.

Be especially mindful of sugar-free gum and candy. Xylitol is commonly used in sugar-free products and is extremely toxic to dogs, so check the ingredients if your dog manages to snag something. If xylitol is listed—or you aren't sure what they ate—give your veterinarian a call.

And then there are the wrappers. Apparently, to some dogs, the packaging is simply part of the snack. 

Around Halloween and for a few days afterward, keep a lookout on the ground during walks.

Leave It & Drop It: Practice Before You Need Them

Leave It and Drop It are two pretty important safety cues! You don't want to wait until you really need them to find out how reliable they are!

Be proactive! Get lots of practice with safe items, gradually adding different environments and distractions. You never know when your dog might come across something potentially dangerous!

Think of it this way…Use Leave It BEFORE something ends up in your dog's mouth, and use Drop It AFTER they've managed to get their mouth on it! 😊

Be sure you’ve established a trusting relationship with your dog around resources and be mindful of your body language! Rushing toward your dog in a panic may encourage them to run off with their newfound treasure…or worse, swallow it.

Utilize your management tools! A leash, a little extra distance, and keeping an eye on what's ahead can prevent a lot of trouble.

At the end of the day, dogs are dogs—and we wouldn’t want it any other way. A little training, preparation, and awareness help us give them the freedom to enjoy their world safely. 😊 Jill Kudera CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer

 Licensed and Insured

 Licensed Veterinary Technician

 Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified