Last Updated: 27/01/2026
Essential Autumn Pet Care Tips
Discover essential autumn pet care tips from Pet Circle vets. Learn how to manage seasonal parasites, avoid hidden Easter toxins like chocolate and lilies, and keep your best friend active and warm as the weather cools down across Australia.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 7 minutes - short read
The golden hues of autumn leaves and the crisp morning air make this one of the most enjoyable times of year for Australian pet parents. It’s finally cool enough for those long afternoon hikes or cosy couch snuggles without everyone overheating! However, the change in season also brings a unique set of challenges - from lingering paralysis ticks to the hidden dangers of the Easter basket. Understanding how to adapt your pet's routine for the cooler months is the best way to ensure they stay safe and healthy all season long.
Protecting your pet from autumn parasites
Just because Summer is over doesn't mean that fleas and ticks disappear. In fact, unprecedented weather conditions over the past few years have altered the patterns and lifecycles of seasonal parasites, meaning that they may be prevalent much later in the year than they would have been previously. The only way to prevent flea infestations is to keep on top of your flea treatment schedule year round, and continue to use a reliable, modern product like one of the products recommended below.
Similarly, paralysis ticks may be less of a risk at this time of year than in Spring and Summer but unfortunately do remain prevalent until later in autumn, particularly in many areas such as the East Coast of Australia. Because of this, it's important to continue using a reliable tick preventative and checking your pet for ticks every day.
Read more about the best and safest parasite preventatives in our article What is the Best Flea and Tick Product?
Top Autumn Flea & Tick Preventatives
Navigating Easter hazards
Along with Autumn time comes Easter! A time to enjoy a mega long weekend, fresh hot cross buns, and more chocolate than we intend to eat. But as harmless as Easter treats may be for us (except for your waistline!), the same can't be said for our pets. Some Easter treats can pose a risk to our dogs and cats and may even be fatal.
Chocolate
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats because it contains the chemicals methylxanthines, in particular, theobromine and caffeine. Unlike humans, cats and dogs are unable to metabolise these compounds and therefore become sensitive to the effects. The darker the chocolate, the higher the toxicity.
Be sure to keep your tasty chocolate eggs and bunnies well out of reach for your pets - and be extra careful with any easter egg hunts, taking care to collect any from your garden that weren't found.
For more information on chocolate toxicity, take a look at Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs.
Hot Cross Buns
The risk of toxicity from hot cross buns comes from the consumption of sultanas and raisins. Often found in traditional hot cross buns, ingestion of grapes and their dehydrated versions can cause irreversible kidney failure in cats and dogs. The exact mechanism of this is unknown, so it is impossible to calculate a universal toxic dose. For this reason, if your pet consumes any grapes, sultanas, or raisins it is recommended to see a veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian may induce vomiting to decrease the toxic effects, but hospitalisation, intravenous fluids and support care may be required to help protect your pets kidneys.
For more information, read our articles:
Easter Lillies
Easter Lilies (Lilium longiflorum) are a traditional symbol during the Easter holiday period as they represent purity and innocence. Easter lilies are often given as gifts around Easter, either as potted plants or in flower arrangements.
As with all lily species, Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats, with the consumption of any part of the plant, including the leaves, stem, flower, pollen or even the water from a vase, resulting in fatal kidney failure. If you have a cat at home, it is best to avoid lilies completely, but if your cat does come into contact with a lily flower they should see a veterinarian immediately!
Lilies are very common in flower arrangements, so if you are giving a gift to a friend with cats, ensure it does not contain any lilies.
For more information, read our veterinary written article Toxic Plants.
Refreshing your pet's autumn wardrobe
It's not quite winter, but the nights can still get pretty cold in Autumn - particularly in southern parts of the country like Melbourne, Adelaide, or Hobart. If your area is particularly cold, you might like to invest in some warm jumpers for your pet. Or perhaps a seasonal shirt made from cotton will add a little extra comfort without overheating your furbaby!
For more information, read through our Dog Coat Fitting Guide.
Staying active as the days get shorter
For most parts of Australia, Autumn brings a cool relief from the stinking hot temperatures that put our pets at risk of heatstroke. While many dog owners choose to walk their pets in the evening during the hotter months, Autumn allows a little more flexibility to get out and about while the sun is still shining.
For cats, (or on days that you really can't bear taking your dog outside in the cold!) an indoor daily playtime session is essential. Keep a range of fun toys on hand and alternate between fetch, teasers, and chase toys to keep things fun and fresh.
If the weather is still a little hot to take your dog out during the sunniest time of day, why not check out some glow-in-the-dark toys, or an LED light-up collar, lead, or dog tag? These luminescent products will keep your pet glowing and visible, no matter how dark the conditions.
Read more about our entire range of glowing fitness products in our article Must-Have Night Walk Products.
Grooming for the cooler months
Many pet owners choose to let their pet's fur grow longer for extra insulation in the cooler months. A long coat is no problem, provided that it is well-maintained and groomed. Long fur can become matted if brushing isn't maintained, which can lead to skin irritations and discomfort.
To help avoid skin irritations at knots, there are a number of easy things you can do at home.
Regular Coat Brushing
Keep your pet's coat well-groomed and brushed daily. If your pet has a thick fur or sheds excessively, you might like to try a de-shedding brush such as the Furminator.
Moisturise
If your pet gets dry or itchy skin, go for moisturising shampoos and conditioners to help keep them comfortable. Oatmeal conditioners such as Aloveen are incredibly soothing, and are a must-have if your pet suffers from dry skin.
Clean Ears
When your pet's coat gets longer or thicker, the hair around the ears can trap dirt and prevent airflow and lead to ear infections. This is particularly an issue in dogs with floppy ears (such as Cocker Spaniels), narrow ear canals (such as Pugs), or ear canals filled with fur (such as Poodles). Keep their ears clear of fur and use a veterinary ear cleaner such as Epiotic once per week.
FAQs
Autumn is a beautiful bridge between the extremes of summer and winter, offering a great chance to bond with your pet outdoors. By staying vigilant with parasite prevention, keeping holiday treats out of reach, and maintaining a solid grooming routine, you’ll set your pet up for a vibrant, healthy season.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 27 Jan 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
