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With warmer temperatures and more time outdoors, summer can be a wonderful season for pets. Longer walks, garden adventures and holidays create plenty of opportunities for enrichment and exercise. However, summer also brings a unique set of health risks that many owners underestimate.
While most pet owners are aware of common warnings about hot cars and sunburn, some of the most serious seasonal dangers are less obvious. Heatstroke can develop surprisingly quickly, parasites thrive in warmer conditions, and species such as cats, rabbits and guinea pigs face risks that are often overlooked.
Understanding why these dangers occur can help owners protect their pets and recognise problems before they become emergencies. Remember to follow our social media pages for plenty of free seasonal pet advice.
Heatstroke is one of the most serious veterinary emergencies we see during warmer weather. Unlike humans, dogs and cats are relatively poor at regulating their body temperature.
Humans cool themselves primarily by sweating across large areas of skin. Dogs, however, only sweat through a small number of glands in their paw pads and rely mainly on panting to release heat. Cats are slightly more efficient at seeking cool areas and reducing activity during hot weather, but they can still overheat when environmental temperatures become excessive.
When a pet’s body temperature rises beyond its ability to cool itself, a dangerous chain reaction begins. High temperatures can damage cells throughout the body, trigger widespread inflammation, affect blood clotting mechanisms and place enormous strain on vital organs including the brain, heart, liver and kidneys. Once heatstroke develops, the condition can rapidly become life-threatening.
While any pet can suffer from heatstroke, certain animals are particularly vulnerable:
One common misconception is that heatstroke only occurs during extreme temperatures. In reality, many cases occur during what owners would consider “pleasant” summer weather. Exercise, excitement, humidity and poor airflow can significantly increase risk even when temperatures seem manageable. This is why cars are so dangerous. Whilst temperatures may be pleasant outside, dogs can begin to overheat at only 19°C. Cars behave like conservatories, rapidly warming, and so parking in the shade, opening windows and leaving pets for only “a few minutes” is still extremely dangerous.
Warning signs of heatstroke
Early recognition is critical. Signs may include:
If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cool environment immediately and contact your veterinary practice without delay. Prompt treatment can dramatically improve outcomes. Pour cool, not cold, water on them (do not drape them with wet towels as this can trap heat), and if possible create air movement with a fan. You may like to offer them small sips of fresh water too.
Warmer temperatures create ideal conditions for many parasites, leading to a significant increase in cases during spring and summer. While parasites can be present year-round, their populations often increase rapidly during periods of mild, humid weather, which is exactly what we have been experiencing in the UK!
Ticks are more than just an irritation
Ticks are becoming increasingly common across the UK and are frequently encountered in woodland, grassland and even urban parks.
Many owners view ticks as a nuisance, which, whilst this is true, they can be more dangerous. These parasites can transmit potentially serious diseases. As a tick feeds, it can pass infectious organisms into its host’s bloodstream, pets and humans alike.
Regular tick checks are particularly important after walks through long grass or areas frequented by wildlife.
Owners should pay close attention to:
Effective preventative treatments can significantly reduce the risk of infestation. Want all your pets’ preventative care taken care of? Join our Pet Health Plan!
Fleas don’t just affect pets
Fleas remain one of the most common parasite problems seen in veterinary practice.
Many owners are surprised to learn that only a small proportion of a flea infestation actually lives on their pet. The majority exists in the home environment as eggs, larvae and pupae hidden in carpets, soft furnishings and cracks in flooring.
Summer warmth accelerates the flea life cycle, allowing infestations to develop much more rapidly. The same can happen during winter, when our central heating is turned on, which is one of many reasons we recommend year-round protection.
Common signs include:
Some pets develop flea allergy dermatitis, where even a single flea bite can trigger intense itching and skin inflammation.
Lungworm: a quieter but highly dangerous infestation
Summer also increases exposure to slugs and snails, which can carry lungworm larvae.
Dogs may become infected through direct contact with slugs and snails or by ingesting contaminated grass, water bowls, toys or outdoor surfaces. Contamination can happen very easily, such as by your pet drinking from a water bowl that a slug or snail has moved across and left a trail.
Symptoms can vary considerably and may include:
Routine parasite prevention plays a vital role in protecting against these potentially serious infections. The only way to protect your dog from Lungworm is through a prescription-only-medication (POM) parasite treatment.
Cats are often perceived as being more independent and resilient than dogs, but they face several seasonal hazards of their own.
Dehydration and heat stress
Cats naturally have a lower thirst drive than many other species. During hot weather, some cats may not increase their water intake sufficiently, particularly if they are fed mainly dry food. Encouraging hydration can help reduce the risk of dehydration and may support urinary tract health.
Simple measures include:
Increased trauma during summer
Longer daylight hours often mean cats spend more time outdoors. This increases their risk of coming into contact with other cats and also sadly, cars.
During the summer, we see an increase in:
Regularly checking your cat for wounds, swelling, or changes in behaviour can help identify problems early. Also, ensuring your pet’s microchip details are up to date is so important – we see a huge rise in strays at this time of year, and pets brought in who sadly have been involved in road traffic accidents. We often scan cats to find they have a microchip but out-of-date contact information, so we are unable to reach the owner.
Toxic summer plants
Many gardens look their best during summer, but some seasonal plants can pose a significant danger to cats. Lilies deserve particular mention. Even small amounts of pollen, leaves or vase water from lily plants can cause severe kidney failure in cats.
If there is any possibility that a cat has been exposed to lilies, seek veterinary help without hesitation, as time is often of the essence.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals are particularly susceptible to heat-related illness. Unlike dogs, they cannot pant effectively to cool themselves, making them highly vulnerable during periods of hot weather.
Outdoor hutches and runs can become dangerously warm surprisingly quickly, especially if exposed to direct sunlight. It may seem like an obvious reminder, but as the sun moves throughout the day, so does shade!
Keeping rabbits and guinea pigs safe
Owners should ensure:
Signs of overheating may include:
These symptoms should always be treated as an emergency.
One of the most serious seasonal risks for rabbits is flystrike. During warm weather, flies can lay eggs on a rabbit’s fur, particularly around the rear end. The eggs hatch into maggots, which rapidly burrow into the skin and underlying tissues. They tend to be attracted to pets who are unable to clean themselves, or dirty hutches, for example, where faeces or leftover food are lying around.
Flystrike can develop within hours and is often fatal without urgent treatment. Daily checks are essential during warmer months, particularly for older, overweight or mobility-impaired rabbits. Keep an eye open for actual flies and also small white sticky dots on your pet’s fur – these are eggs. Our team will happily advise on preventative products which you may like to consider.
If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, parasite prevention programme or ability to cope with warmer weather, our team is always happy to provide advice and support. Should you have any concerns whilst we are closed, our clients have complimentary access to VidiVet – providing pet owners with access to free veterinary advice, 24/7. Any concerns raised will be passed to us for continuity of care during business hours. We’re here to help your pets stay healthy, comfortable and safe throughout the summer months and all year round.
