Summer Hazards to Keep In Mind as a Pet Owner
While summer can be a positive time for many people, it can pose challenges that all pet owners must consider. Some of these risks can be even greater for vulnerable people and animals, including the pets of those experiencing homelessness. Today, we will discuss some of the most common hazards to keep in mind as an owner this summer.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a dangerous increase in body temperature above the normal. Animals can be at a higher risk of heatstroke than humans because they do not sweat as much, cannot remove insulating fur, and may not be able to move away from hot areas if they are kept confined.
Heatstroke can occur due to exercising on a hot day, being stuck in a hot area like a conservatory or car (or even in a brick – or concrete environment where the surfaces re-radiate heat) high humidity and other factors. Some pets are at greater risk of heatstroke, including brachycephalic (short-nosed) pets, obese pets, very young or old animals, pets with very thick fur, or animals with underlying health conditions. For pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness, heatwaves can be dangerous as it can be harder to find shade, cool areas and water.
The signs of heatstroke in dogs include:
- Panting
- Drooling
- Pacing
- Tiredness
- Disorientation
- Collapse
- Vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes with blood)
- Seizures
If untreated, it can rapidly lead to shock and death. The signs of heatstroke in cats are similar to dogs, but can be more subtle and harder to notice in the early stages.
If your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, the priority is to cool them down quickly. Move them to a shaded area, give small volumes of water to drink, wet their fur with cool water, and use fans or air conditioning, if possible, to remove heat. Don’t wrap their body in towels as this can trap heat. You should also seek veterinary attention immediately – further treatment like intravenous fluid therapy, oxygen supplementation and drug therapy may be needed. If you’re concerned about a dog whose owner is experiencing homelessness, please speak with the owner in the first instance and help them to access our service, if they are a registered StreetVet client, usually the pet will have a StreetVet tag with our emergency contact number starting with 0800. If they are not a registered StreetVet patient, please direct the pets owner to complete the online form HERE. Once completed, a member from the StreetVet team will be in touch.
Insect Bites and Stings
Although insects and other parasites are present all year round, many are more common in summer months. All pets are at risk, but particularly those that go outside frequently, so pets with owners who are experiencing homelessness can be more vulnerable.
One of the most common insect bites are fleas – fleas bite pets to feed on their blood. This causes irritation and can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.
Ticks (actually arachnids, not insects) are commonly picked up from areas with tall grass, and also cause irritation and spread diseases – some of these diseases can be fatal.
Flies lay eggs on dirty fur, which can lead to maggot infestation (flystrike) and secondary bacterial infections.
Non-parasitic insects, like bees, wasps, flies and ants can also bite or sting.
The symptoms of insect bites/stings on dogs and cats vary, depending on what bites the animal. Commonly they will cause irritation and itching, swelling, redness and pain. As already discussed, many transmit other diseases, some of which can be fatal. In some cases, dogs and cats can produce allergic reactions that worsen swelling and make breathing difficult.
Many parasites can be avoided through regular use of preventative medication, like tablets or spot-on treatment – as a charity, we can help owners experiencing homelessness to obtain these medications for their pets. Avoiding areas where they are common, like long grass, is also important. Keeping your animal clean, particularly their back end, will prevent fly infestations too.
Leaving Dogs in Hot Cars
In hot weather, cars act like greenhouses, rapidly raising the temperatures far beyond that outdoors. This can rapidly lead to overheating and heatstroke for any animal trapped inside. The hotter the temperature, the more at risk of heatstroke a dog is, but there is no safe temperature to leave a dog alone in the car. There is no specific UK law against leaving a dog in a hot car, but should they suffer as a consequence, you might be breaking animal cruelty laws.
Never leave a dog or cat alone in a car, even for 5 minutes and even if they have water. Take your dog with you if you can, or if this is not possible, consider whether your pet needs to make the car journey at all. Seek assistance if you are struggling to find someone to look after your dog but you need to make the necessary journey, or if you are aware of someone currently experiencing homelessness and living in vehicle, StreetVet may be able to help their pet if they contact us.
And it’s not just cars – caravans, motorhomes and vans can get just as hot in the sun.
If you spot a dog left alone in a hot car, try and find the owner. If this is not possible, make a note of the car’s details and location, and call the RSPCA. If they are unable to help, then you can ring the police. You might be tempted to break the car’s window to rescue the dog – breaking a window can be difficult, and can cause harm to you or the pet, and also be classed as criminal damage. Only do this as an absolute last resort, and be aware of the possible consequences.
BBQ Hazards
BBQs are a great summer activity to unwind, socialise and have fun. Dogs can enjoy this too, but you should be cautious with what they eat.
BBQ sauce is a common marinade and condiment for a variety of BBQ foods, but it can be harmful to dogs. As well as containing high sugar, salt and extra calories dogs don’t need, BBQ sauce can also contain toxins like onions or garlic that damage the body (these are found in other BBQ food too, so be wary). Some diet or sugar-free sauces also replace traditional sugar with xylitol – this sweetener is very dangerous to dogs, causing hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). So generally, no, dogs cannot eat BBQ sauce.
For some pets, the excessive fattiness of meat and other BBQ food can lead to a condition called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis causes pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inappetence and shock, and can even be fatal. It has many many causes but, in dogs, one risk factor is ingesting a large amount of fat in a short time (the same does not seem to be true for cats). Certain breeds, like Schnauzers, are more prone to pancreatitis. Avoid high fat meats like BBQ pork, ribs and beef. BBQ chicken is less fatty than the others, but can still cause pancreatitis if enough is eaten.
Dogs at BBQs are also at risk from hard or sharp objects, like bones or kebab skewers. Hard bones can break teeth, causing pain and infection. Skewers or long thin bones can stab your pet’s mouth or digestive tract if swallowed, which can cause serious problems. In some cases, large pieces of bone can get stuck, causing blockages.
Finally, just be mindful of the amount your dog is eating. Small pieces of plain chicken might be fine, but if your dog has large amounts, or you feed it to your dog frequently, they will be at risk of becoming obese. Obese animals are at a much higher risk of diseases, like osteoarthritis, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer. While it is okay to treat pets now and then, keep these small and infrequent!
It’s also just as important to be aware of the food that may, out of kindness, be offering to pets who are experiencing homelessness with their owners. Always ask their owner first before giving their pet something to eat, as they may have an allergy or food intolerance that you may not be aware of.
How can I help owners who are experiencing homelessness during the summer?
Owners that are experiencing homelessness experience a unique set of challenges. StreetVet is there to support these owners, but we can’t do it without your help.
If you would like to support us, then please head to our donations page for more information. Alternatively, check out our Amazon Wishlist’s for products that our local outreach teams would find helpful. We are always grateful for any help or donations we receive.
