Keeping Pets Safe as the Darker Nights Creep In
By Nikki Roberts Registered Veterinary Nurse
There’s something rather lovely about the first signs of autumn. Cooler walks, changing leaves and cosy evenings at home all start to return.
But September also brings one change that always seems to creep up on us: suddenly, it’s getting dark much earlier.
For our dogs and cats, darker mornings and evenings can bring a few extra risks. Dogs can be harder for drivers and cyclists to see, outdoor cats are less visible around roads, and even a familiar evening walk can look and feel surprisingly different once daylight begins to fade.
The good news is that keeping our pets safe during the darker months doesn’t need to be complicated. A few simple changes now can help everyone adjust and allow us to continue enjoying those lovely autumn walks and evenings together.
Here are my practical tips for keeping dogs and cats safe as the darker nights creep in across North West London.
Contents
Keeping Dogs Visible and Safe on Darker Walks
One of the easiest things we can do is help our dogs, and ourselves, to be seen.
Reflective leads, harnesses and coats can all be useful, while a suitable collar light can provide a little extra visibility.
And don’t forget the person at the other end of the lead!
We sometimes see beautifully illuminated dogs out on their evening walks while their owners are dressed from head to toe in black. Remember, you both need to be seen.
A reflective jacket, bright outer layer, reflective band or light can make you much easier for motorists and cyclists to spot.
Of course, lights and reflective accessories don’t replace sensible road safety. When you’re walking alongside a road, keeping your dog on a secure lead gives you much more control if something unexpected happens.
And unexpected things do happen.
A cyclist approaching from behind, another dog suddenly appearing around a corner or a loud noise can startle even a normally sensible dog.
Here in North West London, where pedestrians, buses, cars, bikes and dogs can all be sharing relatively small spaces, making yourself visible and predictable is particularly important.
Choosing an Extending Lead for Darker Walks
If you like using an extending lead, have a look at the type you’re using as the evenings become darker.
I much prefer a wide, reflective ribbon-style extending lead rather than one of the very thin cord or string versions.
Those thin cords can be incredibly difficult for cyclists, runners and other pedestrians to see, particularly when stretched across a pavement or shared path. A wider reflective ribbon is much more visible.
Whichever type of lead you use, shorten it well before reaching a road or approaching another person, dog or cyclist.
It’s a very small change, but choosing a lead that other people can actually see can make evening walks safer for everyone.
Leads, Recall and Road Safety After Dark
Even if your dog has wonderful recall during the day, it’s worth thinking about whether the same freedom is appropriate once it’s dark.
Your dog can often see, hear or smell something interesting long before you know it’s there.
A fox disappearing into the bushes can suddenly become far more exciting than you!
You may also find it much harder to see another dog, person, cyclist or potential hazard in time to call your dog back.
In poorly lit areas, keeping your dog on a lead or an appropriate long line may therefore be the safer option, even if they would normally be allowed more freedom during daylight hours.
Near roads, keep dogs securely on a lead and try to cross in well-lit places where motorists have a good chance of seeing you.
Take particular care around driveways and entrances too. Drivers reversing out may have limited visibility, especially on dark, rainy evenings.
Take a Torch
A small torch or head torch is one of the most useful additions to an autumn dog-walking kit.
It can help you spot:
Uneven pavements
Broken glass
Discarded food
Puddles and slippery areas
Things your dog is particularly interested in sniffing!
And, of course, it makes finding and picking up your dog’s poo considerably easier.
Just be considerate with powerful torches and head lamps. Avoid shining them directly into another person’s eyes or towards an approaching dog.
Have a Quick Look at Those Paws
When you arrive home, get into the habit of giving your dog’s paws a quick check.
In daylight, you might immediately notice that your dog has walked across broken glass, stepped on something sharp or picked up a thorn. In darkness, these things are much easier to miss.
Look between the toes and around the pads and watch for excessive licking, redness, swelling or discomfort.
If your dog suddenly becomes lame or seems painful after a walk, please contact your vet for advice.
Check Microchips, Collars and Identification
None of us likes to imagine our pet going missing, but autumn is a very sensible time to check their identification.
Dogs must be microchipped and registered on an approved database, and pet cats in England must also be microchipped once they reach the required age.
For dogs, check their collar and identification tag too.
Ask yourself:
Is the tag securely attached?
Can you still read the information clearly?
Is the collar in good condition?
Are the details registered against the microchip correct?
If you’ve moved house or changed your telephone number, make sure you update your pet’s microchip record.
A microchip can make an enormous difference when a lost pet is found, but only if the information linked to it leads back to you.
And remember that a flashing collar light or reflective accessory is there for visibility. It doesn’t replace your dog’s normal identification.
Keeping Outdoor Cats Safer on Darker Nights
Our cats deserve a special mention as the evenings draw in.
Cats are naturally active around dawn and dusk, unfortunately coinciding with times when visibility on our roads may be poor.
If your cat normally spends a lot of time outdoors, autumn is a good time to start encouraging them to come home before the evening rush hour and before it gets dark, when they are easier for drivers and cyclists to see.
You don’t need to change their routine suddenly. As the evenings gradually draw in, try bringing their dinner time forward a little too. Calling them home slightly earlier each evening and rewarding their return with dinner can help them adjust naturally to a new autumn routine.
Cats tend to appreciate predictability, so once you’ve found a routine that works, try to keep it fairly consistent. Ideally, encourage them to settle indoors for the evening and stay in overnight.
And if your cat looks at you as though 5pm is a completely unreasonable time for dinner, don’t worry. A little patience, consistency and the promise of food can be surprisingly persuasive!
Once they’re inside, remember that an active outdoor cat may still have plenty of energy.
A cat who has spent summer evenings exploring gardens and climbing fences may not immediately agree that their new autumn hobby should be sitting quietly beside us watching television.
Try providing opportunities for:
Interactive play
Climbing
Scratching
Exploring boxes and hiding places
Puzzle feeding
Watching the outside world from a secure window
Comfortable elevated resting places
Making indoor evenings interesting can make the transition much easier.
And, just as with dogs, make sure your cat’s microchip details are current.
Older Pets May Find Darkness More Difficult
This is something I think is particularly important to remember.
An older dog who confidently walked the same route last autumn may find it more difficult this year.
Changes in eyesight, hearing, mobility or cognitive function can make darker environments more challenging.
You might notice your older dog:
Hesitating at steps or kerbs
Becoming reluctant to walk after dark
Seeming startled more easily
Bumping into objects
Walking more slowly in poorly lit areas
Suddenly appearing nervous somewhere they previously felt confident
Try not to assume that these changes are simply because your pet is “getting old”.
A change in confidence or behaviour can sometimes tell us that something else is going on, so it’s worth mentioning it to your veterinary team.
Older cats deserve the same consideration.
A cat with reduced vision, hearing or mobility may be less able to avoid hazards outdoors than they once were. If you’ve noticed changes in your older cat’s behaviour, confidence or ability to navigate their surroundings, please speak to us.
Some Dogs Find Dark Walks a Little Scary
It isn’t only older dogs who can find the change unsettling.
Some dogs are completely unfazed by darkness. Others suddenly become suspicious of objects they’ve happily walked past all summer.
A wheelie bin, person wearing a hood or parked motorbike can look remarkably different in poor light.
If your dog stops or seems frightened, avoid dragging them towards whatever is worrying them.
Give them a little space and allow them time to look. Calm encouragement and rewards can help them build confidence.
You could also start evening walks slightly earlier while there’s still some daylight. As the weeks pass, your dog can gradually become accustomed to walking as the light fades.
For a nervous dog, a familiar, well-lit route may be much more enjoyable than exploring somewhere new in complete darkness.
If their anxiety becomes significant or you notice a sudden change in behaviour, please speak to your vet.
Wet Autumn Evenings Need Extra Care
We’re in North West London, so we can probably assume that some of those darker walks will also be rather wet!
Rain can make visibility particularly poor. Headlights reflect from wet roads, pavements become slippery and both drivers and cyclists may find it more difficult to see clearly.
On a particularly dark, miserable evening, there’s nothing wrong with choosing a shorter, familiar and well-lit walk.
Your dog doesn’t measure the success of every day by miles walked.
You can always add some enrichment at home with a game, training session, puzzle feeder or a little scent work.
Sometimes the sensible choice really is the shorter walk followed by a warm, dry evening indoors.
Autumn Walks Bring Autumn Temptations
As well as darkness, remember to keep an eye on what’s appearing on the ground.
September and autumn bring fallen leaves, conkers, acorns and fungi, all of which can be irresistible to curious dogs.
Conkers and acorns can cause problems if eaten and may also present an obstruction risk if swallowed.
Some wild mushrooms can be toxic, and identifying them accurately can be extremely difficult.
If you think your dog has swallowed something potentially harmful, contact your veterinary practice promptly for advice rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.
This is one of those occasions when knowing what your dog was sniffing with the help of your torch can be very useful!
Start Preparing for Fireworks Season
Those darker evenings are also our reminder that fireworks season isn’t far away.
Although we associate fireworks with Bonfire Night in November, they can begin well before 5 November and continue afterwards.
If you already know that your dog or cat finds fireworks frightening, September and early autumn are a much better time to start preparing.
Begin by making sure your pet has a comfortable, secure place at home where they can retreat and relax.
You can also gradually establish earlier dog walks and encourage outdoor cats to come home before evening. By the time fireworks become more frequent, that routine will already feel familiar.
If your pet has previously been extremely distressed by fireworks, please speak to your veterinary team early.
There may be ways we can help, and planning ahead is much easier than trying to manage a terrified pet once fireworks have already begun.
We’ll be going into fireworks and how you can help your dog or cat cope in much more detail in next week’s blog, with plenty of practical tips to help you prepare before firework season really gets underway.
A Few Simple Changes Can Make a Big Difference
The darker nights creeping in doesn’t mean we need to worry every time our pets go outside.
Most autumn pet safety comes down to a handful of simple habits.
Make yourself and your dog visible. Choose a lead that other people can see. Keep dogs closer around roads and in poorly lit areas. Carry a torch. Check paws when you get home. Make sure microchip details are current, and consider encouraging outdoor cats home earlier.
Most importantly, pay attention to your individual pet.
If your normally confident dog suddenly seems worried about walking after dark, or your older cat isn’t navigating the outside world quite as easily as they used to, don’t simply dismiss it as part of getting older or the changing season.
You know what’s normal for your pet.
Autumn can be one of the loveliest times of year to have a dog or cat. There are cooler walks, crunchy leaves, fascinating smells and, of course, plenty of opportunities for cosy evenings together afterwards.
A little preparation simply helps us enjoy it more safely.
At Roundwood Vets, we’re always happy to support our pet-owning community in North West London. If you’ve noticed a change in your pet, have questions about keeping them safe this autumn or know that they struggle during fireworks season, please get in touch with us for individual advice.
Here’s to safe walks, happy pets and plenty of cosy autumn evenings together.
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