Vine, harvest: the dangers for the dog

My dog ​​and I love walking in the vineyards. It's convenient, they're right behind our house. We live in a wine region, after all. Occitanie, formerly Languedoc-Roussillon, produces great wines such as Faugères, Costières de Nîmes, Crémant de Limoux, Minervois, all the Muscats, Saint-Chinan… to name just a few of the most famous. Languedoc wines are definitely worth trying if you haven't already, but in moderation. Woof, of course!

And then, in the vineyards, there are no fences, so no limits. And there is always a piece of wood, finally of oath, to play! There is enough to take for miles of walks and make turns and detours between the plots. However, this decor hides a few pitfalls that I have learned to identify during my walks. In this article, I would like to draw your attention to a few points so that walks in the vineyards with your dog go well. You will see that in each season, there are things to know for your dog. This is a precious little reminder for all those who live in a wine region and for those who are going or will go on vacation with their region in a wine country!

Spring is back. Vine leaves begin to form. The sun's rays are warmer. The flowers are already there. I love this season and Musher too I think.

However, it is also the season when winegrowers treat their vines against diseases of all kinds. Musher is a big gourmand and I always have to watch her during our walks between the vine plots because otherwise she rushes on the fertilizer granules. They are brown and smell of manure, a highly palatable smell for your dog. They are very dangerous if your dog ingests them. This constitutes a veterinary emergency. The dog's reactions can be very rapid or within hours: diarrhoea, vomiting, extreme salivation, etc. Depending on the nature of the fertilizer, it can be worse.

These fertilizers are normally buried in the ground but at the end of each vine alley, some granules may be in the open air as in the photo below...

In addition, if the winegrower is spraying his vines with a volatile treatment, take to their heels because the smell will quickly sting your nose, eyes and lungs...

But the walk in the vineyards is worth the detour. You will see the color differences in the foliage. On the same walk, there is diversity and the landscape can be very changeable. It's great, I did not know all its differences before living in a wine region.

Summer is coming, and with it, the intense heat. Generally, in the middle of the vineyards, water sources are scarce, and shade even more so. Plan your walk for early morning or late afternoon to avoid heatstroke for both you and your dog. Remember to always carry water with you to prevent heatstroke , which is extremely dangerous for dogs. To keep your dog cool, consider checking out or revisiting the article " 5 Coolness Tips for Your Dog ." Before every walk in the vineyards, I always wet Musher so she's practically soaked, and she wears her cooling vest . I once set off with only a half-empty bottle of water in the middle of the afternoon... a truly terrifying walk!

At the end of summer, it's harvest time. The winegrowers are busy and around the cellars and cooperatives a good smell of maceration suggests the next vintage.

This is a dangerous time for your dog!! In the plots, there are still bunches or grapes that have fallen to the ground, either fresh or already rotting. And again, foodies like Musher will love it. Except that grapes are toxic to dogs. The toxic dose is around 10 to 50 g/kg of fresh grapes. A bunch of fresh grapes can be fatal for a 10kg dog.

Clinical signs occur about 24 hours after ingestion and may persist for several weeks (lethargy, anorexia, hypothermia, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea). If your dog has ingested it, try to make him vomit as soon as possible, otherwise run to your veterinarian.

💬 I'll take 10 seconds off for some very useful information, I promise! 
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Autumn is here. The leaves change color and eventually fall. The plot is sparse. The landscape is strangely silent. Until then, you may not have noticed them, hidden between two rows of vines, but you were not alone: ​​wild boars, pheasants, hares...

And where there's game, there are hunters… whether you're for or against it, the vineyards become their hunting grounds as soon as autumn arrives. To learn more about the best way to behave with your dog during hunting season, read the article “ Hunting season is open! How can you continue to walk your dog safely? ”

During this season, I always equip my dog ​​with a fluorescent vest , a fluorescent collar , and even a light-up collar in the late afternoon so she can be spotted from a great distance. You never see a wild boar wearing a fluorescent vest… logically, there's no reason for confusion.

In winter, hunters still frequent the area, but not for much longer. The ground is damp, but the scenery remains beautiful. Much to the delight of dogs who love mud puddles, like Musher: it's paradise! In fact, to avoid a full shower after every walk, when it's really soaked, she wears a waterproof dog suit . She looks a bit silly in it, but when I get home, I just have to clean her paws, and she can spend her walk running through puddles without a care! In the car, I've put an absorbent dog mat that soaks up dirt and water.

The vine has fallen asleep. And with a little luck, you will be able to walk in the snow. The snow-covered vineyards are a nice setting that I love. Here in the Languedoc, it is very rare…

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