Pets and backyard birds in a South Texas fall

Fall in San Antonio doesn't arrive all at once. Mornings get crisp while afternoons still feel like summer, and the sky fills with birds heading south along the Central Flyway. A few small changes keep pets comfortable and make your yard a better rest stop for the travelers passing through.

For the dog: walk early, check the paws

• October afternoons can still be hot. Walk in the morning or after sunset, and press the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for paws.
• Check between toes after walks for grass burrs and stickers, which are everywhere in dry fall grass.
• Fresh water, always. Dogs often drink more in the dry fall air than they did in humid summer.

Cooler weather often brings a bigger appetite. If your dog seems bored with dinner, a spoonful of turkey wet food topper on top of their usual dry food goes a long way. Make any diet change slowly over about a week.

For the cat: indoor comfort

Indoor cats shed more as the seasons change. An indoor formula with fiber helps with hairballs, and a few minutes of brushing every other day keeps fur off the sofa.

For the birds: a fall feeder routine

Migrating birds need fuel, and resident cardinals and chickadees stock up before winter. A mix of feeds brings in more species:

• Regional blend wild bird food is picked for the birds that live in and pass through the South.
• Safflower seed is a cardinal favorite that many squirrels leave alone.
• A classic wild bird feed and seed blend keeps finches and sparrows coming all year.

Keep feeders clean

Wash feeders every two weeks with hot soapy water, rinse well and let them dry before refilling. Rake up old seed underneath, and place feeders either very close to windows or more than ten feet away to reduce collisions. A shallow birdbath with fresh water may attract even more visitors than the seed.

A few minutes a week is all it takes. Enjoy the cooler mornings and the show at the feeder.