The arrival of summer means something different to all of us: children start counting down the days until the school holidays, gardeners enjoy seeing flowers bloom, and we all look forward to evenings spent around the barbecue, afternoons in pub gardens and days out at the beach.
For pet owners, summer can be a fantastic time to spend quality time outdoors with our four-legged companions of all shapes and sizes. Our dogs can enjoy longer walks, trips to the coast and a splash in rivers or streams, while feline friends allowed outdoors can make the most of the warmer weather by exploring the garden, lounging in the sunshine and keeping birds, butterflies and grasshoppers on their toes.
But while summer brings plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure, it also comes with a few seasonal hazards that pet owners should be aware of. From heatstroke and dehydration to water safety, parasites and poisonous plants, a little knowledge can go a long way towards keeping dogs and cats healthy throughout the warmer months.
With that in mind, we’re sharing 10 ways to help keep your dog or cat safe this summer. We hope it helps you enjoy everything this season can offer and avoid a poorly animal or even worse, last-minute vet appointments!
1. Help keep them cool in hot weather
Unlike us, dogs and cats are not particularly efficient at regulating their body temperature. While we humans can cool ourselves by sweating when we get too hot, pets have far fewer sweat glands and can quickly become uncomfortable when temperatures rise. Making sure your pet always has access to fresh drinking water and a cool spot indoors (or shady place in the garden) to rest is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help them stay comfortable, while cooling mats, damp towels and frozen treats can be really handy and will also provide some relief during those heatwaves.
It's also important to recognise the signs of heatstroke, which can develop surprisingly quickly and should always be treated as an emergency. Excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, confusion and collapse all warrant immediate veterinary attention.
2. Avoid walks during the hottest part of the day
Most dogs are happiest exercising when temperatures are cooler, making early mornings and late evenings the ideal times for summer walks. Not only will your dog be more comfortable, but you'll also reduce the risk of overheating and dehydration during periods of warm weather.
This is particularly important for puppies, senior dogs, overweight pets and flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs and Boxers, which often find it more difficult to cool themselves effectively. Paying attention to how your dog is coping and adjusting their routine when temperatures rise can help prevent problems before they occur.
3. Protect paws from hot pavements
Many owners are surprised by just how hot pavements, roads and artificial surfaces (for example fake grass) can become on sunny days. While the air temperature may feel pleasant to us, surfaces exposed to direct sunlight can quickly reach temperatures capable of causing painful burns to sensitive paw pads.
The easiest way to check conditions is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for several seconds. If it feels uncomfortable for you, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on it. Choosing grassy routes, shaded woodland paths and those aforementioned cooler walking times can help protect paws throughout the summer months.
4. Take care around water
Swimming, paddling and splashing around can be a wonderful way for dogs to cool off, but there are a few things to know to keep your pet safe. Rivers can have strong currents; reservoirs can have steep or slippery edges and even confident canine swimmers can become tired if they spend too long in the water.
At the coast, remember that drinking seawater can lead to sickness and dehydration in dogs, while ponds and lakes may occasionally develop blue-green algae during periods of warm weather. Although it can look harmless, blue-green algae can produce potent neurotoxins that are extremely dangerous to pets, so dogs should be kept well away from affected water and prevented from drinking from it. If you’re not sure if algae in water is the dreaded blue-green variety or not, err on the side of caution.
5. Stay on top of fleas, ticks and other parasites
Warmer temperatures create the ideal conditions for many of the parasites that affect dogs and cats. Ticks are commonly found in long grass, woodland and heathland, while fleas thrive during the summer months and can quickly establish themselves on our pets and in our homes.
Regular oral or topical treatments, combined with routine checks after walks and outdoor adventures, remains one of the best ways to reduce the risk. If you find a tick attached to your pet, it should be removed carefully using a tick hook or similar tool, as prompt removal helps reduce the risk of disease transmission.
6. Check for grass seeds after walks
Grass seeds are everywhere in the warmer months, and they can cause big problems for dog owners during summer. Their small size makes them easy to overlook, but these sharp seeds can work their way into paws, ears, eyes and even beneath the skin, where they may cause irritation, infection and considerable discomfort.
Dogs that spend time in long grass are particularly vulnerable, making it worthwhile to check paws, ears and coats after every walk. Spotting a problem early is far easier than dealing with the complications that can develop if a grass seed is left undetected.
7. Keep barbecue treats out of reach
As we mentioned in the intro, summer and barbecues go hand in hand, but many of the foods we enjoy during outdoor gatherings could be harmful to our pets. Cooked chicken bones can splinter and cause internal injuries, corn cobs are a well-known cause of intestinal blockages and foods containing onions, garlic, grapes or raisins can all be toxic.
We don’t need to tell you that dogs are expert scavengers, so keeping leftovers, serving dishes and rubbish bags secured or out of reach is often just as important as supervising the barbecue itself!
8. Be aware of toxic plants in your garden
British gardens are full of colour during the summer months, but some of our most popular plants can pose a risk to curious pets. Foxgloves, lupins, laburnum, rhododendrons and azaleas are all potentially toxic if eaten, while cat owners should be particularly cautious around lilies, as even small amounts of pollen can cause severe illness.
Young pets and naturally inquisitive animals are often most at risk, especially if they enjoy chewing leaves, flowers or stems. Taking a little time to research new plants before adding them to your garden helps create a safer outdoor space for both dogs and cats in summer.
9. Use garden chemicals carefully
As gardening ramps up in late spring and summer, so does people’s use of fertilisers, weed killers, pesticides and other products designed to keep lawns and plants looking their best. Products like these should always be stored securely and used with care around pets. Read labels carefully and keep a close eye out for any signs that your dog or cat might have been exposed to them.
Compost heaps are another often-overlooked hazard, particularly if mould has developed within decomposing material. Some moulds can produce toxins that may cause serious illness if ingested, making it sensible to prevent dogs and cats from investigating compost piles or treated areas until they are completely safe.
10. Know when to call the vet
Perhaps the most valuable thing any of us can do is recognise when our beloved dog or cat needs professional help. Heatstroke, suspected poisoning, breathing difficulties, severe allergic reactions and adder bites all require prompt veterinary attention, while sudden lethargy, vomiting or unusual behaviour should never be ignored. Trusting your instincts is important, and it’s better to be overly cautious than to regret not taking your pet in if they seem unwell, uncomfortable or significantly different from normal.
And finally… we hope you enjoy a safe, fun summer with your pets!
