I’m a vet – watch out for the summer hazard that poses life-threatening risk to your dog… & four other crucial warnings
IT hasn't felt much like summer recently, but some much sought-after warm weather is rumoured to be making a return this weekend.
Dog owners will be looking forward to taking their pooches for a stroll in the sunshine.
But there are a few summer hazards to be aware of when you're out and about.
To avoid putting your pet in harm's way, our team of vets reveal the worst offenders to watch out for - and some can be life-threatening.
'Arrowhead' seeds
One big pest for canines in summer is foxtail grass seeds, which have spiky tips that can pierce skin and often get stuck in paw pads, causing infections.
They start appearing in late July and stick around for up to six weeks, causing issues for almost all dog breeds.
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The pale yellow-coloured seeds are shaped like little arrowheads and are hard to spot among your pet's fur when they lodge themselves in coats, feet and eyes.
The infections and abscesses they cause can be life-threatening if left untreated.
TV vet Rory Cowlam told The Sun: "We had one dog recently in the clinic that we had to do surgery on because he had managed to get one inside his penis and it was migrating through into his leg and it was causing a real issue.
"They're horrible things and any owner needs to be aware of them.
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"They should always check their dog's coat for the seeds whenever they get home from a walk."
Another risk is the grass seeds getting lodged in your dog's ear canals.
Breeds with droopy ears like spaniels are more at risk, so do check them regularly, especially if you see them shaking their heads a lot or scratching their ears.
Water worries
Ensuring your dog is hydrated and to cool off is essential - but owners should be wary of letting them gulp water from puddles or ponds in the park.
Pet lovers in London have been warned about cloudy patches called blue-green algae in Highams Park, Chingford, which can cause diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, irritation and allergic reactions.
Dr Anna Foreman, 's in-house vet, said: "There is also the risk of ‘wild’ water being contaminated with rat urine, which can harbour leptospirosis.
"This can be a deadly condition if contracted by a dog."
Carrying portable water sources is a must - but additionally, canine behaviourist Adem Fehmi, of , advised making an ice lolly for your dog from frozen fruit and kibble in very warm weather.
Scorching surfaces
Hot weather can dramatically increase the temperature of surfaces animals typically like to walk on.
Rory said: "Heat is a threat to all animals - be they cats and dogs or smaller furries that live inside or in hutches.
"It's really concerning to see how some animals suffer during the summertime. But lots of things can be stopped with some simple common sense."
Rory says it's best to avoid taking your dog out during the warmest hours and to avoid letting them tread on pavements or tarmac.
The CBBC vet added: "If you do take your dog out when it's too hot they will just push through for you.
"Because they're only putting their paws on for short bursts at a time, they may not feel it.
"The burn builds up and it can be really serious and it will be really painful for them."
To check if it's too hot, he advises putting the back of your hand on the pavement for up to five seconds, and if you can't hold it there then it is too hot to take your pooch out in it.
Vet Samantha Webster advises encouraging your dog to wear 'booties' to protect their paws too.
Four Paws UK recommends refrigerating a ceramic tile or piece of slate for them to lie on and putting it in a shady area.
Stuffy cages
While everyone typically thinks of cats and dogs when it comes to excessive heat, Rory says hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits are at just as much risk.
"They are really prone to overheating and we neglect them a little bit more than our dogs or cats by being more hands-off," he said.
"We put them in a garage or in a small room but these spaces get really hot because there's not much airflow."
He recommends buying grill-based cages to allow air to circulate and to watch out for rabbits lying down in the sun panting and guinea pigs becoming more lethargic.
Most humans struggle to sleep with a quilt during the summer and it's the same for some animals.
Rory advises keeping bedding light for cage and hut-dwelling pets by reducing the amount of straw and hay, which traps heat.
Another issue is that "most small animals poo and wee in their cages" and due to it containing ammonia, which has a low evaporation point, it can be deadly.
Rory said: "If you see your hamster or another small animal coughing or wheezing get them to a vet quickly.
"Ammonia can cause respiratory issues which can get really bad quickly and cause things like scarring to their lungs and other irreversible damage."
Infections
Samantha warned that it's vital to check pets' bodies once a day for sores too, as sweaty and sticky conditions can lead to infections.
This particularly applies to hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.
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Reptiles especially can suffer "excessive shedding", which can be painful and needs to be treated.
Samantha added: "The main thing is to be sensible really. If you wouldn't do something during a hot day your pet won't want to either."
