10+ Fall Activities to Do With Your Animals

Fall is one of our favorite times of the year! The cooler temperatures, festive holidays and of course all of the fun fall activities that you can do with friends, family, and of course, your animals! Did you know that you can do many of your favorite fall activities with your animals? In this post, we’re sharing 10+ fall activities to do with your animals this year!

1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

The first fall activity to do with your pet is to visit a dog friendly pumpkin patch! There are many pumpkin patches that allow dogs and have cute photo spots that are perfect for taking the cutest fall photos for your dog’s Instagram account!

Before you go, call or check the website for the pumpkin patch to confirm that it is a dog friendly pumpkin patch. Many have a general pet policy on their website or additional information about when not to bring your pet (sometimes for big events), but if they don’t, a quick phone call will give you all the information you need to know!

2. Go on a Fall Foliage Hike

The second fall activity idea is to go on a fall foliage hike with your dog! There’s nothing dogs love more than to be outside in the fresh air, sniffing all the smells! Plus, who could say no to the gorgeous scenery surrounding you during your dog friendly hike!

There are many state parks that allow dogs and have dog friendly hiking trails. To find one closest to you, simply search for dog friendly trails near me and/or dog friendly state parks near me or check out BringFido.com to find tons of dog-friendly locations near you!

Before you go, make sure to brush up on your trail etiquette! A few important things to know:

• Leave No Trace: Leave no trace means to clean up after your dog. Cleaning up after your pet keeps unwanted bacteria from spreading and it of course keeps the path clean. Do your part to keep the trail taken care of so that you and others can enjoy it again!
• Keep Your Dog Leashed (unless told otherwise): Most dog friendly hiking trails or dog friendly state parks will have signs that will say to keep your dog on their leash. This prepares you for running into another dog that might not be as friendly as yours, walking past another person on the trail and it protects your dog from engaging with any wildlife they might be interested in along the way.
• Come Prepared: Before embarking on your dog friendly hike, research the dog friendly hiking trail you want to visit. Knowing how long the trail is and the terrain will help you know if it’s the right one for you and plan the right amount of water (and food if needed), the appropriate clothing for both you and your dog and more.

3. Go to a Football Tailgate

Do you love to host football tailgates for your favorite team every year? Why not invite your pup! If you have a social dog that loves interacting with people, bring them to your next tailgate! Your dog will love all of the attention from your friends, and you can even dress them up in a matching dog football jersey to represent your team!

4. Enter a Pet Costume Contest

The next fall activity to do with your pet is to enter a pet costume contest! Many local pet stores and towns host annual pet costume contests where you get to dress up your dog or cat in a fun pet Halloween costume. Some even have cool prizes and we’ve also seen pet Halloween costume parades!

Reach out to your local pet store and/or city to learn about upcoming fall events!

5. Make Homemade Fall Dog Treats

The fifth and most tasty fall activity idea is to make homemade fall dog treats! One ingredient that you’ll see in many homemade dog treats in the fall is pumpkin. Canned puree pumpkin is great for dogs and is an great source of vitamins A, E, C and Iron and Potassium. Pumpkin is also known for helping with your dog’s upset stomach (always consult your veterinarian first!).

If you’re excited to make some pumpkin dog treats this fall, click here for an easy, fall recipe by Carlson Pet Products.

6. Visit an Apple Orchard

Have you ever been apple picking at a local apple orchard? Instead of going to the grocery store this year, head over to your local apple orchard for some dog friendly apple picking with your pup! There are many apple orchards that allow dogs, but like the dog friendly pumpkin patch, make sure to call before you bring your dog or look up their pet policy on their website!

7. Cuddle up for a Scary Movie Marathon

Cooler temperatures outside are perfect for cozying up with your cat or dog inside for a movie marathon! During the month of October, many channels and streaming services have a ton of great Halloween movies that range from silly all the way to downright scary!

Grab your popcorn, a cozy blanket and your pet and enjoy a night filled with spooktacular fun!

8. Go Camping

Fall is one of the best times of the year to go on a camping with your dog. There are many dog friendly campgrounds that welcome dogs as long as you follow their rules. Most standard rules are to keep your dog on a leash, pick up after your pet, do not leave your dog unattended and any other rules the dog friendly campgrounds might specify.

Before heading out on your first camping trip with your dog, below are a few things to note in addition to doing extra research:

• Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccines and bring their medical records. Most vets have digital copies now and can email a set to you. Request a copy and save to your phone in case of emergency.
• Make sure your dog is on flea/tick prevention and bring a pair of dog tick tweezers to remove any that could jump on throughout your trip.
• Confirm that your dog’s microchip is registered and that all of the information is up-to-date.
• Pack the essentials: food & water (bring extra in case of emergency), portable bowls, poop bags, ID tags, treats, medications, blankets and a dog first aid kit! If you’ve never made or used a dog first aid kit, here is a helpful article from The American Kennel Club with Dog First Aid Kit Essentials.

Are you a cat person? Many people bring their cats camping too! Research what campgrounds allow cats as well as dogs, and make sure you have all of your essentials, like a super popular item, a cat backpack!

9. Go Trick-Or-Treating With Your Pet

Remember the pet costume contest we mentioned earlier? Why not show off your pet’s fun Halloween costume while trick-or-treating!

Before taking your pet trick-or-treating, below are a few important things to know:

• Check that your pet’s Halloween costume is easy to move in and provides visibility. Do not block movement of their legs and never leave anything on their face that will hinder their eyesight.
• Make sure your dog is comfortable around people and crowds. Since Halloween is such a busy night, making sure that your dog is socialized and comfortable around many people (not just a few) is extremely important for keeping your dog calm, happy and stress free. If you have an anxious dog, this activity isn’t for you!
• Make sure your dog is leashed and has proper I.D. tags. Ensuring proper identification and security of your pet is always your number one priority during any outing!

10. Enjoy PupCups

While you enjoy your favorite pumpkin spice latte, treat your dog to a tasty PupCup! Fun fact, you can find these at multiple places besides Starbucks! If you’re out and about and don’t have a Starbucks near you, you can find a PupCup at many other retailers like:

• Dairy Queen
• Culvers
• Chick Fil A
• Shake Shack
• Dunkin Donuts

11. Jetset Away to an Off-Season Beach Getaway

Want to save money on a beach getaway while enjoying all of the benefits of a beach getaway? Booking a beach trip during the fall is a great way to save hundreds of dollars in travel and skip the crowds that are there during peak season. Before booking your dog friendly hotel or dog friendly AirBnb, look up their pet policy. Most charge a pet fee altogether or per night and a cleaning fee.

There are also tons of dog-friendly beaches throughout the United States that you can bring your dog to! Check the rules for your pup before going, since many have set times for where you dog can be during certain hours.

Which fall activity are you most excited to do with your pet this fall? We want to know your favorite! Share what you’re doing with your pet this fall on our Instagram. We can’t wait to hear!