There’s a special kind of magic in autumn walks. The trees blaze in shades of copper, amber and crimson, and the ground becomes a crunchy carpet of leaves.
Dogs, especially Prudence my 10-year-old mini bull terrier, delight in charging through drifts of gold, scattering them with every leap. For me, these walks are as much about soaking up the season as they are about watching her pure joy.
But as beautiful as autumn is, it comes with hidden challenges for dogs. Fallen leaves may look picturesque, but once they start to rot, they can become a breeding ground for moulds, and bacteria. Also, in urban areas piles of leaves can disguise nasties like litter which can be sharp and cut paws.
Woodland trails, with their damp soil, rotting leaves, and puddles are also where dogs are thought to be at higher risk of Alabama Rot. This is a rare but serious condition, that can be fatal, and continues to elude the vet profession.
It’s a reminder that while our dogs love to explore, we need to stay mindful. One simple but effective habit is to wash paws, legs and tummies after muddy walks, reducing the chance of infection and stopping them from bringing unwanted germs and mud indoors.
Then there are the mushrooms. Every autumn, they seem to appear overnight, sprouting on tree stumps, peeking out from leaf litter, or even popping up in the garden. Mushrooms are simply the fruiting bodies of fungi, releasing spores into the air. Some are harmless or even edible; others are highly toxic. Because it’s almost impossible to tell the difference without expertise, its best to opt for the precautionary principle, unless you’re a seasoned forager.
That doesn’t mean mushrooms are villains. Quite the opposite: in natural health, they’re enjoying a well-deserved revival. Functional or medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps, Tremella, Lion’s Mane, Shiitake and Chaga are known for their properties – from boosting the immune system to aiding memory, skin, and heart health. Even the everyday button mushroom deserves a spot on the wellness list, packed with fibre, B vitamins, antioxidants and vitamin D when exposed to light.
This fascination with fungi is something Prudence and I share in a more adventurous way too: she learnt to sniff out the British Truffle. Truffles are part of the mushroom family, though they grow underground rather than above it. They carry the same health-boosting compounds as their woodland cousins, from anti-inflammatory polyphenols to fibre and vitamin D.
For Prudence, truffle training is the ultimate scent game, tapping into her natural instincts and huge olfaction. For me, it’s a reminder of how easy it is to build fun scent work games into your training routine, and discover exactly how extraordinary their sense of smell really is! But it’s also a reminder about extraordinary the natural world can be , literally hiding treasures just beneath our feet.
As dog owners, autumn gives us plenty to think about. My advice is simple:
· Enjoy the season but keep an eye on where your dog is exploring.
· Don’t let them eat fungi outdoors, it’s never worth the risk.
· Rinse paws, legs and tummies after muddy walks.
· And if you’re curious, explore safe, pet-specific mushroom supplements to support your dog’s health. Orr better still consider opting for Paleo Ridge’s options that are uniquely infused with Reishi mushroom tincture. Available in their Senior and Puppy varieties as part of its Paleo Plus range.
Walking through autumn with Prudence and Mr Binks, I’m reminded that nature is full of contrasts: beauty and caution, danger and nourishment. Mushrooms capture that balance perfectly. With a little awareness and , maybe a truffle or two , they can be both a seasonal wonder and a surprising friend to our wellbeing and our dogs’ too!
Anna Webb – as a Canine Nutrition and Behaviour expert, Anna combines her psychology degree, with study at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and over 20 years of experience. Host of the award-nominated A DOG’S LIFE podcast, she lives in London and is owned by Prudence, a Miniature Bull Terrier, and Mr Binks, a re-homed English Toy Terrier.
