We have all seen the funny videos of dogs jumping into piles of leaves. They are having so much fun! There are, however, some factors that could make a play session turn serious. The following are a few things to keep in mind before you allow your dog to launch into a pile of leaves. It is safest to use a pile of leaves you have just raked up. That way you know how deep the pile is, what the ground underneath is like, and what you have raked up.

Hopefully you have not raked up any reptiles, etc. that may harm your bestie! If it’s a new pile, you also know what kind of leaves are in the pile. Did you know that oak leaves, the ones with the best color, are potentially poisonous to dogs? Oak leaves contain a chemical called gallotannin, which can upset your pup’s gastrointestinal system, causing vomiting and diarrhea along with lethargy. Maple leaves also contain gallotannin. Pine needles can not only cause digestive issues, but they can also puncture your dogs paws or lips. Pine oil is not only hard to get off but could cause an allergic reaction. Of course, we should mention the ticks and fleas you may rake up while you are cleaning up the yard. No one needs those!

The best way to enjoy this activity with your dog is to rake up the leaves yourself and right away let him run through and jump in. Make sure he doesn’t ingest any foliage and wipe him down with a damp towel and check him for the usual bugs when the fun is over. These beautiful leaves indicate winter will be here soon, when it will be more challenging to play with your woof outside. Enjoy this activity with your bestie while you can! Just make sure you keep him as safe as possible.