10 Strange Summer Dangers To Pets

We all know that heatstroke, dehydration, and insects are summer dangers to pets, but most pet parents are unaware of other threats. For example, summer is a time when families gather around for cookouts. Unfortunately, there are threats to dogs and cats lurking on and around the grill.

Ticks and fleas are dangerous to dogs and cats, but so are bees, wasps, hornets, spiders, fire ants, and mosquitoes. Even a single bite can start a chain reaction that impacts your pet’s long-term health. We’ll share tips to keep them at bay and protect your pets from strange summer dangers.

10 Strange Summer Dangers to Pets

With some planning, you can enjoy everything summer has to offer without putting your pet in harm’s way. For starters, foxtails are barbed seed clusters and a hidden summer threat to dogs and cats. They are associated with grasses like cheatgrass, wild barley, and others.

When foxtails detach, they burrow into the soil where they can hook into your pet's coat or nasal passage and keep moving. A dear friend of mine went through this with her Cocker Spaniel while on a walk.

Dog mom Naomi Lukaszewski says, “You can't tell from the photo, but this is 1/4 inch long. It's the tip of a foxtail we found between Lady's paw pads. It was in her foot and I had to pull it out with tweezers.”

Here are 10 other summer threats to your dog and cat, and what to do about them:

Summer Plants

Many pet parents enjoy a summer garden and planting flowers to look at and enjoy. The Pet Poison Helpline receives daily phone calls about dogs and cats who have ingested a plant.

Here is a partial list that the Pet Poison Helpline dubs as the most dangerous to pets, which means keep them out of your pet’s reach and consider not planting these: Autumn Crocus Azalea Cyclamen Kalanchoe Lilie Oleander Dieffenbachia Daffodils Lily of the Valley Sago Palm Tulips Hyacinths

Create a barrier around these plants, replace them with pet-safe options, and educate your family and friends who enjoy gardening, too.

Water Intoxication

Many dogs enjoy swimming in the pool, the ocean, or a lake. However, ingesting too much water floods the lungs and directly affects their sodium level. This is known as water intoxication, which can lead to seizures, lethargy, and even death.

Offer your water-loving dog plenty of breaks, don’t allow them to spend extended periods in water, and offer fresh water instead for drinking.

Beach Critters

When a fellow Cocker Spaniel mom told me her dog was stung by a jellyfish, I was stunned. She had to take her dog to the vet, where he fully recovered, but it’s worth paying attention to if your dog visits the beach.

Sea urchins, sand fleas, crabs, and other stinging critters hide in and around the sand. Check the area around your play section, and if your dog gets stung or bitten, seek medical attention if your first aid kit and skills are unable to address it.

Blue-Green Algae

A few sips of water contaminated with blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can lead to weakness, lethargy, seizures, and rapid death. Blue-green algae grow in lakes, ponds, and other stagnant or slow-moving bodies of water.

Sadly, officials in Oregon recently announced that a family dog encountered algae and passed away a few hours later. According to KGNS-TV, “Cedar (the dog) was already gone by the time his family raced him to the vet. Test results later showed he died from toxic algae that officials did not even know was in the Columbia River.”

Leptospirosis

Lepto is scary and creepy, spreading through contaminated soil or water. It is often found in ponds, puddles, and damp grass. Never allow your pets to drink from outdoor water or a stagnant source, as this can expose them to potentially deadly dangers.

Talk to your veterinarian to determine if Lepto is a threat, especially in wildlife-populated or humid regions. The lepto vaccine has side effects, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons. Read Petful’s article about protecting your pets from Lepto.

Sand

Sand is a lot of fun to run, play in, and build a sand castle, but it harbors unseen dangers. Never allow your dog to eat sand, which can occur during a game of fetch at the beach. This can lead to digestive blockage, vomiting, and extreme pain.

Sand can also make paws itchy and irritated. On beach trips, I take a saline eye flush to flush my dog’s eyes out just in case. Rinse your dog’s paws and coat after a fun day at the beach to remove any sand or unseen critters.

Burnt Paws

Just a short walk on a hot sidewalk or pavement can cause severe burns to your pet’s paws. Use the 5-second hand test by placing your palm on the walking surface. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for pets.

Use protective booties and paw protection, and consider early morning or late evening walks, especially on non-chemically treated grass.

Barbecued Food and Grills

Wagging tails and excited dogs can easily knock over an unattended grill, so use caution when cooking outside with pets. Keep food and utensils away from pets; you don’t want them ingesting something dangerous.

The most dangerous summer foods and drinks include: Meaty bones Fatty drippings

Burger and hot dog toppings (i.e., onions, chives, garlic)
Snacks in bowls
Alcoholic beverages
Fruits with seeds or pits
Xylitol-based desserts
Chocolate desserts

Improper Grooming

While shaving down a heavy coat sounds like a good idea, not all pets need their coats shaved down in the summer weather. Shaving a double-coated breed such as Siberian Huskies, Akitas, or German Shepherds strips them of protective insulation and increases their risk of sunburn, overheating, and skin issues.

Instead, brush your dog regularly, keep nails trimmed, and talk to a professional groomer about your dog's summer cut, if any.

Theft

This one may surprise you, but summer is a time when pet theft increases noticeably. Some reports indicate a 63 to 79 percent increase in missing or stolen pets in the summer months.

Protect your pet from being stolen and not becoming a statistic with these easy tips:

Ensure your pet is microchipped and consider a GPS collar or an AirTag.
Never leave pets unattended outside, even if you have a fenced-in yard.
Use ID tags and ensure your information is accurate and up-to-date.
Secure your home environment with indoor and outdoor security cameras, which are affordable and easy to install.
Don’t post your whereabouts on social media, especially if your pet is home alone.

Be One Step Ahead of Summer Dangers to Pets

Summer should be a festive, fun time spent making memories with your pets. You can significantly reduce your pet’s chances of becoming a statistic by following the above tips. Here are a few articles to bookmark, share, and read to be the best pet parent you can be: Comprehensive Guide to Dog Safety in Summer How Climate Change Affects our Pets How to Protect Ferrets from Heatstroke in Summer

Photo credit: Photo by Lazarus Ziridis/Pexels and Photo by muhannad alatawi/Pexels