Fall, the season of crisp air and changing leaves, and here in Arizona, the season we all wait for. The triple digits finally break, the mornings turn cool, and your dog can smell adventure the moment you pick up the leash. Here are our favorite ways to enjoy fall with your pets, plus a few Arizona-specific tips to make the most of it.
7 Fall Activities to Enjoy With Your Pets
1. Go apple picking
Fall means apple picking time! Many orchards allow you to bring your pets, just call and double-check before you head out. It is a great activity for the whole family, and most Arizona orchards are a scenic day-trip drive from the Valley.
2. Visit a pumpkin patch
Many pumpkin patches have farm animals on site, and plenty also welcome leashed pets. Confirm the rules before you go, then enjoy a full day of hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin picking with your pup in tow.
3. Celebrate Halloween together
What is Halloween without dressing up our pets and including them in the shenanigans? Pick a fun costume, let your pet help pass out candy, or bring them along trick-or-treating. Two safety notes: make sure they cannot get into the candy (chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol are toxic to dogs), and skip any costume that restricts breathing or movement.
4. Find a pet-friendly Oktoberfest
Just because your pets cannot drink beer with you does not mean they cannot enjoy a polka or a costume parade. Many fall festivals around the Valley are dog-friendly, check the event’s pet policy before heading out.
5. Take a mini vacation or road trip
Fall tends to be low season for travel, so pet-friendly hotels are easier to book and often cheaper. Look up a weekender somewhere fun, northern Arizona delivers real fall color within a couple hours’ drive.
6. Hit the trails again
This is the season Phoenix-area hikers and their dogs live for. The trails that were off-limits all summer are finally safe again, though early in the fall, afternoons can still run hot, so keep morning hikes and water bottles in the routine a few weeks longer, and stay alert on the trail: snakes are still active on warm fall days.
7. Play in a giant pile of leaves
Who doesn’t love this? Your pups, and cats, and piglets, will love a good dive into a leaf pile. If your own yard doesn’t produce one, a trip up north in October will.
One More Fall Tip: Book Your Holiday Pet Care Early
Fall is also when the holiday calendar starts filling up, and holiday weeks are the busiest of the year for pet sitters. If you are traveling for Thanksgiving or December holidays, now is the time to line up your pet sitting or dog walking so your pup keeps their routine while you are away. New to us? Meet our sitters or reach out to schedule a meet & greet before the rush.
Fall Pet FAQ
When does it cool down enough for midday dog walks in Phoenix?
Usually mid-to-late October. Until then, keep walks to early morning or evening and use the seven-second pavement test: if the back of your hand cannot rest on the asphalt for seven seconds, it is too hot for paws.
Is Halloween candy really dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and sugar-free candy or gum containing xylitol is even more dangerous. Keep the candy bowl out of reach and call your vet immediately if your dog gets into it.
How early should I book a pet sitter for the holidays?
As early as you can, holiday dates fill up weeks in advance. Booking in October for Thanksgiving and November for the December holidays is a safe rule of thumb.
Fall weather is perfect for enjoying the outdoors with your pets, it is finally not scorching hot, and they know it. Get out there and enjoy it together!
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