Why Fall Can Affect Your Pet’s Skin and Coat

Atlantic Canadian fall weather can shift quickly from warm afternoons to chilly, rainy days. Pets may move between damp outdoor conditions and heated indoor spaces, while dogs are often exposed to wet grass, mud, leaves and debris during daily walks.

Seasonal allergens may also contribute to itchy skin, paw chewing, facial rubbing, red skin, excessive tearing or recurring ear discomfort. Fleas and ticks can remain active during cool fall weather, so parasite prevention should not automatically end when summer does.

Pay attention to changes in your pet’s normal habits. Frequent scratching, licking or head shaking is often one of the first signs that something is irritating them.

1. Brush Regularly and Check the Skin

Many cats and dogs shed as their coats adjust for the cooler months. Regular brushing removes loose hair, helps prevent mats and gives you an opportunity to look closely at the skin.

While brushing, check for:

• Redness, flakes, scabs or irritated patches
• New lumps or tender areas
• Fleas, flea dirt or attached ticks
• Burrs, seeds, twigs and other debris
• Excessive oiliness, odour or hair loss

Choose a brush suited to your pet’s coat type. Long-haired pets may need more frequent grooming to prevent mats, especially behind the ears, under the legs and around the tail. Mats can trap moisture close to the skin and make irritation more difficult to spot.

2. Protect and Clean Paws After Outdoor Time

Wet grass, mud, gravel and plant debris can collect between paw pads. After walks or outdoor play, wipe or rinse your dog’s paws and dry them thoroughly, including the spaces between the toes. Outdoor cats may also benefit from a gentle paw check when they come inside.

Keep the fur between the paw pads neat if it tends to trap dirt or form mats, and inspect nails regularly. A pet-safe paw balm can help protect dry or rough pads; use only products made for pets and follow the label directions.

Watch for persistent paw licking, chewing, swelling, redness, odour, bleeding or limping. These signs may point to an allergy, injury, infection or foreign object and should be discussed with your veterinarian.

3. Manage Watery Eyes Gently

Wind, dust and seasonal allergens may irritate the area around a pet’s eyes. Some cats and dogs also naturally produce more visible tears than others.

For mild buildup around the eye, use a clean, soft, damp cloth or a pet-safe eye wipe to gently clean the surrounding fur. Use a separate clean area of the cloth for each eye, and never place shampoo, soap or unapproved drops in the eye.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

• Redness, swelling or squinting
• A cloudy or injured-looking eye
• Thick, yellow, green or bloody discharge
• Sudden or excessive tearing
• Pawing at the eye or signs of pain

Eye problems can worsen quickly, so prompt veterinary advice is important when symptoms are persistent, painful or unusual for your pet.

4. Keep Ears Clean, Dry and Comfortable

Floppy-eared dogs, pets with allergies and animals that spend time in wet conditions may be more prone to ear trouble. Check the outer ear regularly for redness, excess wax, discharge, swelling or a strong odour.

If your veterinarian has recommended routine ear cleaning, use a pet-specific ear cleaner and follow the directions carefully. Do not push cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal. After rainy walks, bathing or swimming, gently dry the outer ear and surrounding fur.

Repeated head shaking, ear scratching, sensitivity, dark debris or a foul smell can signal mites, yeast, bacteria, allergies or another problem. An ear infection can be painful and usually needs a veterinary assessment rather than home treatment.

5. Bathe Without Drying Out the Skin

Fall adventures sometimes end with a muddy dog or dirty outdoor cat, but frequent bathing can strip natural oils from the coat. Bathe only as needed using a shampoo formulated for cats or dogs. Human shampoos may be too harsh for a pet’s skin.

Rinse thoroughly, because leftover shampoo can cause irritation, and dry the coat completely before your pet heads back outside. Pets with sensitive, itchy or flaky skin may benefit from a moisturizing or veterinarian-recommended formula.

Between baths, pet-safe grooming wipes can be useful for quick cleanups of paws, legs and coats.

6. Support Healthy Skin and Fur Through Nutrition

A complete and balanced diet provides the protein, fats, vitamins and minerals needed to support healthy skin and a strong coat. Some foods and supplements contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help support skin and coat condition.

Before adding oils or supplements, speak with your veterinarian—especially if your pet has a medical condition, follows a therapeutic diet or takes medication. Supplements are not a substitute for diagnosing ongoing itching, hair loss or inflammation.

Fresh water matters in every season. Indoor heating can create a drier environment, so make sure clean drinking water is always easy to access. Some cats may drink more readily from a pet fountain or when multiple water stations are available.

7. Continue Flea and Tick Protection

Cooler weather does not necessarily mean fleas and ticks have disappeared. Fleas can survive indoors, and ticks may remain active whenever conditions are suitable. Bites can cause skin irritation, and some pets are highly sensitive to flea saliva.

Continue the prevention plan recommended by your veterinarian, and check your pet after time in tall grass, brush, wooded areas or fallen leaves. Never use a dog-only flea or tick product on a cat; some canine ingredients can be dangerous to cats.

Build a Simple Fall Pet-Care Routine

A practical weekly routine can make seasonal care easier:

1. Brush the coat and inspect the skin.
2. Check paws, pads and nails after outdoor activity.
3. Wipe away mild eye-area buildup gently.
4. Look at the outer ears for redness, debris or odour.
5. Check for fleas and ticks.
6. Wash bedding and keep favourite resting areas clean and dry.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Seasonal grooming can support your pet’s comfort, but it cannot replace veterinary care. Book an appointment if your cat or dog develops persistent itching, open sores, hot spots, hair loss, strong odour, swollen paws, painful ears, unusual eye discharge or a sudden change in behaviour.

Prepare Your Pet for a Comfortable Fall

Every pet experiences seasonal changes differently. By watching for small changes and keeping up with regular grooming, paw care, ear checks, eye-area cleaning, good nutrition and parasite prevention, you can help your cat or dog stay comfortable from the first cool morning through the wettest fall days.

Visit your local Feeds’n Needs for grooming brushes, pet-safe shampoos and wipes, paw-care products, flea and tick solutions, nutritious cat and dog food, supplements, treats and seasonal supplies. Our knowledgeable team is here to help you find practical products that suit your pet and their routine.

When a concern goes beyond everyday grooming, your veterinarian is always the best source of diagnosis and treatment advice.