Things to Do With Your Pet This Autumn: Fun & Safe Activities for 2026

Go pumpkin picking/pumpkin carving with your pet

With the spookiest day of the year just around the corner, it won’t be long before you’re searching for the perfect pumpkin to celebrate Halloween. Why not make it even more memorable by taking your furbaby along for the adventure? Many dog-friendly pumpkin patches across the UK now welcome pets, giving your four-legged friend the chance to explore the fields and enjoy the fresh autumn air. It’s a great way to combine seasonal fun with a long walk, creating plenty of photo opportunities for Instagram-worthy autumn shots. Once you’ve found the perfect pumpkin, head home for some carving fun. The bonus? Pumpkin isn’t just a seasonal decoration, it’s also a healthy and tasty treat for pets when offered in moderation. Fresh or cooked pumpkin and even pumpkin seeds (unsalted) are packed with fibre, beta-carotene, and vitamins that support digestion and overall wellbeing in both dogs and cats. If you’d like to make the most of your pumpkin haul, check out our blog on homemade pumpkin and peanut butter dog treats for a simple, pet-friendly recipe your pup will love. Just remember to keep the carved pumpkin decorations out of reach, as mouldy or spoiled pumpkin can be harmful.

If you’ve got a cat rather than a dog, you can still join in from home. Let them sniff and investigate an uncarved pumpkin safely, or save a little cooked, plain pumpkin flesh as an occasional treat, it’s just as good for feline digestion as it is for dogs.

Spend Halloween together…

Of course, what’s a Halloween pumpkin without the big night itself? Halloween can be full of loud noises, flashing lights, and busy streets, which can affect pets in very different ways. While some furry friends might be eager to join in the spooky fun, others may become anxious or stressed by the commotion. If your pet falls into the latter category, it’s a good idea to create a cozy, calm space at home where you can snuggle up together on the sofa and enjoy a relaxed evening away from the noise. Consider adding some comforting touches like their favorite blanket, a chew toy, or even some treats to make the evening extra special. Plus, capturing a cute, calm Halloween moment with your pet can make for the perfect Instagram post, keeping your followers in the festive spirit without stressing your furry companion.

For more ways to help an anxious pet feel settled during noisy celebrations, take a look at our guide on 6 ways to relieve your pet’s stress.

And Bonfire Night too!

Bonfire Night might be a fun occasion for us humans, but it’s not always so enjoyable for our furry friends. The loud bangs, flashing lights, and crowds of noisy people can make it a very stressful evening for pets. To help them feel safe and calm, create a cozy retreat where they can relax away from the commotion—think their favourite blanket, a comfy bed, or even a crate if they’re used to it. Cuddling up with your furbaby, turning the TV or radio up a little to help muffle the sound of the fireworks, and offering some calming treats can all make a big difference. You can even leave some interactive toys or chews to keep them distracted and comfortable while the celebrations continue outside.

Make a leaf pile for your pet to play in

Falling leaves in autumn make for a very scenic sight, but also leads to a lot of colourful litter in your garden. This means you’ll be piling up your foliage, ready to throw them away. But before you do, why not let your furbaby have fun jumping through leaf piles. After all, there’s a lot of fun to be had for your cat or dog leaping into a big pile of crunchy leaves. However, you should always make sure to check any piles for hedgehogs who may be hibernating. Your spiky garden visitors won’t be pleased to have a curious cat or canine waking them up from their long sleep.

Autumn also brings a few hazards worth knowing about. Fallen acorns and conkers can cause stomach upset or blockages if swallowed, and some hedgerow berries are toxic to dogs, so it’s worth keeping an eye on what they’re sniffing out on walks and steering them away from anything you’re not sure of.

Go for a nature walk

Autumn is arguably the most beautiful time of year. The striking colours of leaves, the new smells in the air, the varied and changing environments. All of this makes for the perfect opportunity to get your walking boots on, get your comfiest coat and take your furbaby out to for a good long walk. Autumn is also the most ideal time for you to take your pet for a stroll. Summer walks can be cut short by your pet feeling tired and dehydrated from the heat, while the winter weather will be too cold for your pet on long walks. Autumn is the right mid-point of cool weather and dry landscape to give your pet a good, fun walk in the outdoors.

Cats can enjoy the season too, even without a lead-walk. A safe, supervised garden explore, extra time at a favourite window perch to watch the changing leaves, or a bit of extra playtime with crinkly, leaf-like toys can bring a little autumn enrichment indoors.

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