Favorite Fall Activities With Your Pet

Apple Picking

Nothing says fall in Upstate New York like going to an orchard and loading up on fresh apples from the tree, grabbing some cider and donuts, and snapping several selfies for social media posting. Here are some dog-friendly orchards that can’t wait to meet you and your dog. Just make sure you keep them on a leash.

Bowman Orchards 147 Sugar Hill Rd. Rexford, NY
Windy Hill Orchard 1297 Brookview Station Rd. Castleton-on-Hudson, NY
Indian Ladder Farms 342 Altamont Rd. Altamont, NY (inside the Brewery and on Nature Trails only)
Riverview Orchard 660 Riverview Rd. Rexford, NY
Saratoga Apple 1174 Route 29, Schuylerville, NY

Don’t forget to bring plenty of poop bags for clean-up, treats to keep them in line, and wipes to clean any fertilizer off of the apples you may sample while picking.

Hiking and Leaf Peeping

Go just a few exits up the Northway/ 87N and you’ll see traffic start to slow down as the leaves change almost before your eyes. We have some beautiful varieties of hardwood trees whose leaves change color before falling off for the season. It’s a spectacular display by Mother Nature of the process of water conservation as the trees prepare for winter. Here are some pet-friendly hikes and nature trails that’ll give you a taste of what this area has to offer.

Packing for yourself and your pup is essential for making your day enjoyable and being prepared for anything that may come up. We recommend bringing along a first aid kit, dog boots, and Vetricyn spray for any scrapes that may happen along the way.

Pet Photo Shoot

Take advantage of the season and all of its fun decorations to have a little photo shoot with your pets! You don’t have to have a professional camera or studio, just use what you have! iPhones and apps work wonders when it comes to editing, and natural lighting is all you need. Grab some seasonal decorations, maybe a bedsheet for a backdrop, and plenty of noisemaking toys!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Front porch scene like the one shown above
In a costume like this
Amongst the pumpkin patch like this
Outside at a destination like this
Being adorable like this

Make sure you submit the best photo to our Pet of the Month Contest for a chance to win a $100 Benson’s Pet Center gift card! Team members at Benson’s choose the 10 finalists, that then get posted on Instagram to be voted on by followers.

Baking

Who needs to wash dishes when you have a plate cleaner ready to “clean” your baking pans and mixing bowls? (But seriously, do not let your pets consume raw eggs, chocolate, or sugar.) Baking with or for your pet can be fun! You can make them their very own treats or have them nearby to keep you company while you mix and bake the afternoon away.

Here are some dog-friendly recipes we love:

And, just in case things get out of hand and someone has a few too many treats, make sure you have some Firm Up! on hand to make clean-up a little easier.

Fall is a wonderful time for cozying up together and slowing down our increasingly busy lives to spend some quality time with each other. We know how much you love and value your pets, they’re like family, and family comes first for us around here. Since 1992 we have been working together as a family to bring you the best in pet supplies and nutrition, and we have been so fortunate to grow our family with so many beloved loyal customers and staff members over the last 32 years. From our family to yours, we hope you enjoy this change in season and all of the opportunities for snuggling it brings.

Favorite Fall Activities With Your Pet

Free Local Delivery & Curbside Pick-up