October is a perfect time to engage with your audience through social media by sharing seasonal, educational, and fun content. Whether your clinic is in the Northern Hemisphere, embracing autumn and Halloween festivities, or in the Southern Hemisphere, welcoming the joys of spring, there are plenty of creative ways to connect with your clients.
Below are 10 social media post ideas for each hemisphere, along with universal ideas that all veterinary practices can use. Let me know if in the comments what other ideas you would add!
Northern Hemisphere: Embrace Autumn and Halloween
For clinics in the Northern Hemisphere, October brings cooler weather, colorful leaves, and the excitement of Halloween. Your clients will appreciate posts that reflect the cozy fall vibes and seasonal pet care tips. Here are 10 post ideas to help you create engaging content this month:
1. Pet Safety Tips for Halloween
Halloween is fun for humans, but it can be stressful or dangerous for pets. Share a list of 5 essential safety tips for pet owners to keep their furry friends safe during the holiday.
Tips could include:
Keep chocolate and candy out of reach.
Use pet-safe decorations (no small, chewable parts).
Keep pets secure when trick-or-treaters visit.
Make sure costumes are comfortable and non-restrictive.
Avoid candles and other fire hazards.
Bonus: Create an infographic for easy sharing! Like this one on the right.
2. Pumpkin-Themed Pet Recipes
Pumpkins are a popular fall ingredient, and they’re also safe for pets in moderation. Share easy, dog-friendly pumpkin recipes like:
Frozen pumpkin treats (blend pumpkin puree with plain yogurt, freeze in molds).
Pumpkin and peanut butter dog biscuits (with a simple recipe).
Tips on how pumpkin can help with pet digestion.
Include some cute photos of your clinic pets enjoying these homemade treats! FOR BONUS POINTS: For even more fun, record a team member making one of these recipes and turn it into a Reel or TikTok video!
3. Fall Pet Care Tips
Fall can bring specific pet care challenges that pet parents probably aren't considering yet. Share content about seasonal care to remind them, such as:
How to keep pets warm during colder walks.
Managing shedding as pets prepare for winter coats.
Treating or preventing seasonal allergies (both environmental and food-related).
This can be a series of posts spread throughout October to keep your audience informed. If you recommend certain grooming tools, general products, or prescription medications that go along with any of these tips, be sure to mention them.
4. Host a Halloween Pet Costume Contest
Halloween is the perfect time to engage your followers with a pet costume contest, and it can be a fun way to mix up the content you post.
Announce the contest at the beginning of October with clear rules, guidelines, and fun prizes (e.g., a pet treat basket or a free grooming session).
Never hosted a photo contest before? No worries. In my blog post here I share how you can do that and make it an engaging event.
5. World Animal Day (October 4)
World Animal Day is all about raising awareness for animal welfare. You can celebrate by:
Posting about the importance of animal rights and the well-being of pets.
Sharing stories of animals your clinic has helped.
Running a donation drive or partnering with a local shelter.
Include images or videos of your clinic’s team interacting with animals, showing your commitment to their care.
6. National Cat Day (October 29)
If you have some good cat content ready, this day may just be the excuse you're needing to whip it out. If you just want to pause and celebrate National Cat Day, here are some ideas:
Share funny or heartwarming cat videos (bonus if they involve your clinic cats or patients).
Share “Cattitude” moments from your clients’ cats.
Encourage clients to share photos of their cats and do a “Top 10 Cats” post featuring your team's favorites.
You can also create a poll asking cat owners fun questions about their cats’ quirks.
7. Autumn-Themed Pet Photos
Nothing says autumn like pets enjoying the fall foliage. Encourage your followers to submit photos of their pets in fall settings:
Pets jumping in leaves.
Pets wearing cute autumn sweaters or scarves.
Pets enjoying fall walks with their owners.
Feature a different pet each day and thank clients for submitting their photos, which will encourage your followers to comment and engage with your posts. If you plan to do the Halloween photo contest, mentioned above, I would hold off on this idea until November.
8. Cold Weather Pet Safety
As the days get shorter and colder, it’s important to remind pet parents how to keep their pets safe. Share tips such as:
Using pet jackets or sweaters for short-haired breeds.
Keeping pets indoors during extremely cold weather.
Checking paws for signs of cold damage after walks.
This could also tie into a reminder to keep up with regular vet visits to address cold-related health concerns. Be sure to tailor the advice to what your team generally recommends to clients.
9. Pumpkin Patch Visits with Pets
October is pumpkin patch season! Share photos of your staff visiting a local pumpkin patch with their pets and encourage your clients to do the same. Include a few tips for taking pets to a pumpkin patch, such as:
Checking for dog-friendly patches.
Keeping pets leashed and hydrated.
Making sure pets are comfortable around large groups and farm animals.
If you have a pumpkin patch local to you, perhaps consider partnering up with them and sponsoring a booth or pet-specific area to get the word out about your hospital or connect with the community better.
10. Tailgate with Your Pet
Football season is in full swing, so why not connect with sports fans? Share tips for hosting a pet-friendly tailgate:
Pet-safe snacks like dog-friendly dips or veggie treats.
How to create a comfortable space for pets at an outdoor gathering.
Sharing cute pet sports gear, like team bandanas or jerseys.
Encourage your clients to share photos of their pets enjoying tailgates or watching the game with them. BONUS POINTS if you can get your team to share pictures of their tailgate parties with their pets.
Are you looking for a community of other social media managers to brainstorm and share ideas with? Join my FREE Facebook group, Veterinary Social Media Managers, and become a member of our 2,000+ community today!
Southern Hemisphere: Celebrate Spring and New Beginnings
Spring in the Southern Hemisphere is a time for renewal, growth, and enjoying the outdoors with pets. As flowers bloom and temperatures rise, here are 10 post ideas to capture the spirit of spring in your practice’s social media content:
1. Spring Cleaning for Pet Owners
Spring is a great time to talk about cleaning tips for pet owners. Suggest tasks like:
Washing pet bedding, toys, and blankets.
Organizing and restocking pet supplies (food, treats, grooming tools).
Giving pets a thorough grooming session, including nail trimming and ear cleaning.
You can also remind clients about flea and tick prevention during the spring season. BONUS POINTS if you record a team member demonstrating some of these tasks in your practice and sharing it as a Reel or TikTok.
2. Gardening Safety Tips for Pet Owners
With spring gardening in full bloom, help pet owners create a pet-safe garden by sharing tips like:
Avoiding toxic plants (e.g., lilies, azaleas, daffodils or other plants native in your area).
Using pet-friendly fertilizers and pesticides.
Setting up pet-friendly outdoor spaces, like a safe play area or shaded retreat.
You can share a list of plants that are safe for pets and encourage your followers to share pictures of their pet-friendly gardens. For a Reel or TikTok idea, show a team member holding up each toxic plant and sharing a short statement on it.
3. Heartworm and Flea Prevention Reminder
Spring is the start of warmer weather, which means fleas, ticks, and mosquitos become more active. Remind pet owners of the importance of year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention with a detailed post:
Explain the risks of untreated infestations.
Share recommendations for the best treatments.
Encourage clients to schedule appointments for preventative care.
4. Spring Pet Grooming Tips
Pets often shed more during spring, making it the perfect time to post about grooming tips:
Suggest brushing routines to help with shedding.
Share information on grooming tools and products you trust and recommend.
Remind pet owners to check for matting, especially in long-haired breeds.
If you offer a grooming service, consider offering a special grooming promotion during the month to encourage bookings. If you don't provide these services, consider partnering up with a local groomer and offering a joint special.
5. Spring Pet Photography
With the beautiful spring weather, encourage pet owners to get outside and take photos of their pets enjoying nature. Ask followers to submit their best spring pet photos, like:
Pets playing in the park.
Dogs at the beach.
Cats lounging in sunny garden spots.
Post these photos on your hospital’s social media with credit to your clients.
6. Outdoor Safety Tips for Pets
As pets start spending more time outside, it’s important to remind owners about outdoor pet safety:
Checking for ticks after outdoor activities.
Hydration tips for warmer weather.
Advice on keeping pets cool during outdoor adventures.
Pair this with reminders about spring vaccinations and check-ups to ensure pets stay healthy all season long. To help encourage pet owners to implement these tips, consider making a video or sharing photos on how to carry them out.
7. Adopt a Shelter Pet Month
October is Adopt a Shelter Pet Month, so why not highlight local shelters and encourage pet adoptions? You can do so by:
Sharing photos of adoptable pets from a nearby shelter.
Creating content about the benefits of adoption versus buying from breeders.
Running a donation drive for a local rescue.
You can also feature success stories from clients who have adopted pets.
8. Fun Spring Activities for Pets
Spring is the perfect time for pet-friendly outdoor activities. Share ideas for springtime fun, such as:
Playing fetch in the park or backyard.
Going on hikes or nature walks with dogs.
Setting up obstacle courses or games in the yard for exercise.
Pair these suggestions with tips for keeping pets safe, such as using flea and tick protection or bringing extra water on long walks.
9. Allergy Awareness for Pets
Just like humans, pets can suffer from seasonal allergies. Create a post explaining the signs of allergies in pets, such as:
Itchy skin, paw licking, or ear infections.
Watery eyes or sneezing.
Excessive scratching.
Offer suggestions for reducing allergens in the home and encourage clients to bring their pets in if they notice these symptoms. Perhaps share some pictures or video of what these signs could look like in person.
10. Feature Local Pet-Friendly Spots
Share a list of local parks or hiking trails perfect for outdoor adventures with pets. You can include a brief description of each location and what makes it great for pets. Be sure to include local beaches, lakes, pet-friendly cafes, and local businesses that would make a great outing for you and your pets. For some engagement, ask followers about other places they would add to your list or recommend.
Looking for a list of all the social media holidays on the calendar? Take a look at the list I have here.
Universal Ideas for Both Hemispheres
Regardless of where your veterinary hospital is located, these October post ideas can engage your audience:
1. Monthly Pet Health Checklist
Create a monthly pet health checklist that includes reminders for:
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
Dental care (brushing teeth, offering dental treats).
General wellness (checking coat condition, activity levels).
This can become a recurring monthly post that educates your audience on pet health maintenance. Just be sure to tailor it to your local area and practice's recommendations.
2. Clinic Updates and Behind-the-Scenes Content
Keep your followers in the loop by sharing clinic updates or giving them a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes work at your clinic:
Announce new services, special promotions, or upcoming events.
Introduce new staff members or celebrate anniversaries.
Share fun or funny moments between your team and patients.
Posting real-life moments from your clinic humanizes your brand and builds stronger connections with your clients.
3. Pet Costume Photo Contest
Encourage pet owners to submit photos of their pets in Halloween costumes (or spring costumes to match your season), and let your audience vote on their favorites. Announce winners with fun prizes and make it an annual tradition. See how I run my photo contests on social media here.
4. National Veterinary Technician Week (October 15-21, 2024)
This week is dedicated to celebrating the hard work of our veterinary technicians and perhaps even educating our clients on exactly what they do. I have a blog article full of ideas dedicated to this special week. Check it out here.
Want a quicker way to create posts for Vet Tech Week? We've got Canva templates to help do just that! Check them out below:
Thank you for reading the blog this far; I hope it boosts your creativity! What other post ideas would you add? Tell me in the comments below.
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About The Author
Cheyanne Flerx is the owner and founder of Hey Cheyanne, LLC.
She is a former Veterinary Assistant turned Veterinary Social Media Coach & Educator on a mission to use her experience and knowledge to help veterinary teams genuinely understand and use social media for marketing their practices.
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