After a long, hot summer, it is easy to feel excited about the arrival of fall. People aren’t the only ones who eagerly anticipate cooler, dryer weather; canines get just as excited for many of the same reasons. Learn about autumn through your pooch’s eyes and discover a magical season that you both can enjoy together.
1. It’s Cooler Out
Your body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. However, your dog’s body temperature ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees, that is 2.4 to 3.9 degrees higher than your own body temperature. The cooler weather makes it more fun and enjoyable for your dog to run around, play and enjoy being outside without the risk of overheating.
2. Leaf Piles
Who doesn’t love jumping into the middle of a pile of dry fall leaves? Kids, dogs, even adults enjoy this time-honored autumn pastime. One thing that man’s best friend simply adores is having your undivided attention and jumping into a pile of leaves is a great way to do it. Dogs love the feeling of dry leaves crunching under their paws, the crackling sound of the leaves make and the scents that emanate from the leaves. Playing in a pile of leaves is a sensory wonderland for your pup.
3. No More Fleas
Fleas like warm weather, especially temperatures that range from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when fall time approaches, the temperatures begin to drop below the 70’s and fleas head to warmer pastures. Life starts to become fun again for your canine; no more baths, sprays or shaving for flea control.
4. Allergy Season Eases Up
Yes, it is true the start of the fall season can bring on a spate of seasonal allergies.
Luckily, that only lasts until the first cold front blows in. After that time, the sniffling, sneezing, scratching, itching and licking finally abates and the great outdoors start to feel good again.
5. More Frequent, Longer Walks
Dogs like to stay inside when the weather gets too hot. When the fall season begins to roll in, the number of daily walks increase. Instead of a 7-minute trot around the block with whispered exhortations to “hurry up!,” there are long, leisurely strolls full of sniffing, marking, meeting and greeting and plenty of canine photo ops interspersed throughout.
6. More Personal Attention
Did you know that 39 percent of all American households include at least one human and at least one canine? Since most of those households contain several humans and only one canine, the family pup has a lot of competing to do to win their owner’s undivided attention. At least, that is, until fall arrives and practically everyone leaves the house for hours each day at least five days a week. Now there is time for a leisurely pet or scratch or grooming session, not to mention the extended, uninterrupted nap. There are more treats and cuddles and kisses on top of a certain furry head. It is just you and your furred best friend and life is wonderful again.
7. No More Scorched Paws
It is easy to assume that dogs are pre-adapted to the most extreme weather conditions (such as scorching hot asphalt) since they don’t wear shoes. However, that is not true; dogs can get serious burns from walking on hot surfaces just like people can. Some owners compensate for this by walking the dog during cooler parts of the warm weather season. Some cope by fitting the family pup with booties. Some just opt for no walks until the weather cools down. But in fall, the scorching hot days are finally gone and it is safe to walk anywhere your dog wants to go again.
8. The Smells of Fall
Did you know that dogs are a million times more sensitive to smell than humans? Olfaction (smelling) is the primary sense that dogs use to interpret the world. The autumn air smells crisp, cold, earthy and damp. When you head out for another outdoor excursion, the air is saturated with the best smells. Dogs are drawn to the smells of rotting leaves, rich dirt and decomposing vegetation. Humans may be more drawn to the falling leave while canines focus on the fall smells.
These are just eight of the many reasons why dogs love the fall season. Fall is wonderful in so many ways; make sure that you and your pup take full advantage of this great time of year.
