Many of us are excited for the cosy evenings and seasonal treats that this time of year brings... but though autumn can be great fun for us humans, it can bring hidden risks for your pet, especially when it comes to food. 

From Halloween chocolate to cinnamon and nutmeg toasted foods, seasonal nuts and berries, as well as conkers and acorns found whilst out for walks, we’ve put together an autumn food guide, letting you know what to watch out for and ways to enjoy the season, without putting your pet at risk.

Keep your Halloween treats out of your pets’ reach 

Let Halloween be all treats and no tricks by keeping your chocolate and sweets out of reach of pets. Chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs, and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, increased thirst, lethargy, an elevated heart rate, or even seizures. Other sweet treats given around this time of year may also include ingredients like caffeine, Xylitol (found in low-calorie or low-sugar sweets or chewing gum) or raisins, which are extremely toxic to both cats and dogs.  

With this in mind, if you do head out Trick or Treating this year, look to keep your treats in sealed containers, high above pets' reach, or in cupboards, and watch out for dropped wrappers around the house, as these can be choking hazards.  

If you suspect your pet may have eaten something that they shouldn’t have, call your vet, or Insure Your Paws customers can get in touch with our Assist Your Paws careline, who can advise you on where to take them to be seen as quickly as possible.

Hearty or harmful? The toxic-to-pets ingredients in a Sunday roast 

A traditional Sunday roast can smell irresistible to dogs (and humans!), but many of the ingredients are unsafe for them to ingest. Common parts of this hearty meal, like onions and leeks, as well as garlic (sometimes found in gravy) and chives (which can be found in stuffing), come from the same plant family, and are all toxic to cats and dogs. If ingested, they can cause vomiting and diarrhea, stomach pain and dehydration, symptoms which can appear anywhere between 6 and 24 hours after they've eaten them. 

As with all the toxic foods mentioned in this guide, if you suspect your pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t have, call your vet for guidance, or Insure Your Paws customers can get in touch with our Assist Your Paws careline, who can advise on the nearest Emergency Vet to take them to.

Keep cinnamon and spiced bakes out of reach 

Cinnamon buns, pumpkin-spiced treats and mulled beverages might be some of our autumn favourites, but they may include ingredients like nutmeg, cinnamon or cloves, which are harmful to your furry friend. These popular autumnal spices can pose digestive risks to dogs and cats, cause mouth and stomach irritation or even tremors, in the case of larger amounts of nutmeg. 

Though small amounts of cinnamon in baked goods can be low risk, larger amounts can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Nutmeg can affect the nervous system, and cloves can cause lethargy, irritate the gut and stress the liver, so it’s safest to keep these spiced cakes and drinks, well out of pets' reach. 

If you think your pet may have eaten some of your spiced treats, call your vet for advice straight away, letting them know what and how much was eaten and when, and approximately how much your pet weighs.

Outdoor autumn hazards - What to watch out for on walks 

It's not just foods that humans eat that you need to watch out for in autumn. Whilst out on walks with your dog, many inedible seasonal nuts, like conkers and acorns, may be lying in reach and they may try to eat them.  

Acorns contain tannins, which can irritate dogs' stomachs and intestines, and conkers similarly contain irritants which could lead to digestive problems. Both can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, and depending on the size of your dog, if swallowed whole, they could cause them to choke. Make sure to guide your dog away from these if you're in areas with oak or horse chestnut trees. 

Holly, commonly used for decoration in our homes in autumn and winter, also contains berries which can be toxic to dogs and cats, so steer clear of using this and try a non-toxic foliage wreath instead!

Need tips on keeping pets calm during fireworks this time of year? Check out our guide. 

Insure Your Paws customers can get pet care advice, including help with concerns that pets may have eaten something potentially harmful, by speaking with one of our registered vet nurses, anytime via our Assist Your Paws careline.