As the weather turns, it's not just humans who feel the shift — cats and dogs experience their own version of the seasonal change, from shedding coats to muddier walks to drier indoor air once the heating goes on. A few small adjustments to their routine now can make the transition into autumn a lot more comfortable for both of you.
How Dogs Respond to the Changing Season
Shedding their summer coat Many dog breeds shed their lighter summer coat around this time of year, making way for a thicker winter one. This can temporarily leave skin more exposed underneath, which is exactly when a consistent grooming routine matters most.
Muddier, wetter walks Autumn weather means more rain, more mud, and more paws that need attention after every walk. A quick post-walk paw check and clean becomes a much bigger part of the daily routine than it was in summer.
Drier skin from indoor heating Once the heating comes on, indoor air dries out — affecting your dog's skin much the same way it affects yours. Dogs who spend more time indoors as the weather cools may show this more than those who are outside most of the day.
Beards, muzzles and facial hair For bearded and long-coated breeds especially, wetter walks mean more moisture and mud collecting around the muzzle and beard — an area that's easy to overlook compared to the rest of the coat.
How Cats Respond to the Changing Season
Increased shedding Cats, like dogs, often shed more heavily as they transition into a thicker winter coat — and indoor cats can be particularly affected, since central heating can disrupt their natural seasonal shedding patterns.
More time spent indoors As the weather turns, cats typically spend more time inside, which means more exposure to dry, heated air and less of the natural humidity they'd get from time outdoors.
Grooming changes Some cats groom themselves less effectively during coat transitions, which can leave more loose fur and a coat that benefits from a little extra owner attention.
Sensitive ears and eyes Cats prone to tear staining or ear sensitivity may show this more noticeably as indoor heating and drier air set in.
Building an Autumn Routine for Your Pets
A few simple additions make a genuine difference for both cats and dogs as the season changes:
- Increase brushing frequency — helps manage seasonal shedding and keeps the coat comfortable underneath as it thickens
- Post-walk paw and coat checks — especially important for dogs during muddier months
- A gentle facial or beard wash — useful for bearded and long-coated dog breeds picking up more moisture and debris on walks
- Gentle ear care — both cats and dogs can benefit from a regular, gentle ear care routine as the season changes, particularly breeds already prone to sensitivity
- A little extra skin support — coconut oil-based creams can help keep paws and skin comfortable as indoor air dries out
A Few Products Worth Adding to the Routine
For dogs: our Beard & Tear Stain Wash is a gentle option for facial hair and skin folds that pick up extra moisture and debris on wetter walks, while our All Natural Gentle Shampoo suits more frequent bathing needs as coats get muddier.
For cats: our Ear Drops for Cats with Botanicals offer a gentle way to support ear cleanliness as part of a seasonal grooming routine.
For both: our Colloidal Silver Petcare Cream with Coconut Oil is a simple, versatile option for paws and skin that need a little extra moisture as the weather turns, and our 10ppm and 20ppm Solutions range (sprays, droppers and refill bottles) offer a flexible, minimal-ingredient option to fit into either cat or dog grooming routines.
Small Adjustments, Big Difference
Neither cats nor dogs need a completely new routine for autumn — just a few thoughtful additions to what you're already doing. A bit more brushing, a bit more attention to paws and beards, and a gentle top-up of skin and ear care will help keep both comfortable as the season shifts.
Shop our full Pet Care range →
