Summertime can be a fun and adventurous time for us and our dogs, but it also has its own unique set of risks that every dog owner must be aware of.
As summer rolls around in Florida and with this hot weather, dog owners must be extra cautious and vigilant to ensure their furry friends can enjoy the season without falling prey to the numerous dangers present.
Read more about what to look out for during the summer, what you can do to prevent these dangers, and how to act if an accident occurs.
Risks that your Pet can encounter during Summer
1. Heat and Humidity
Florida is turning more hot and humid in the lately years, especially in South Florida. Temperatures have been raising between 90 and 100 degrees. Is it too hot for you? Then it’s too warm for your dog. You should be especially cautious when it’s hot and humid. Humidity affects dogs differently than humans. Dogs aren’t able to pant as effectively, which can lead to heatstroke. Dogs can also suffer from heat stroke when exercising in hot weather, especially without access to sufficient drinking water. Dogs are very sensitive to heat because they can’t regulate their body temperature like humans. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that causes great suffering and can cause serious damage to internal organs. Read More about Heatstroke and how to identify it in our latest article.
2. Tick, Fleas, and other insect
Fleas and ticks are common parasites that can cause discomfort and health problems for dogs. Is always Tick and Flea season in Florida. They don’t hibernate in winter months like in the north, but especially in summer, pet owners need to be extra careful.
Fleas can cause Flea allergy dermatitis, hair loss, and other skin problems. In severe infections, fleas feasting on your pet’s blood can lead to anemia and, in rare cases, death.
Ticks can cause even bigger issues transmitting Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, and Bartonellosis.
Is important, especially during summer, to have your pet in tick and flea prevention, and that includes oral medications and external insect repellants.
Bites or stings from insects such as wasps, ants, and mosquitoes rarely make dogs ill, but they can be itchy and sore. Some dogs, however, may have allergic reactions to these insects. The more bites or stings a dog gets at one time, the greater the risk of a more severe reaction. For those dogs that are known to suffer from allergic reactions, we recommend keeping your dog supervised or on a leash. Keep dogs inside during times of peak insect activity, and use insect repellents or a pet t-shirt where necessary.
Fly larvae are most likely to attack dogs during the summer months when the weather is warm. Flies will lay their eggs in fur that is warm and moist, or contaminated with fecal material, urine, or discharge from a wound. The fly larvae are white and 5-10 mm long. If they are not found quickly, they can cause serious harm. If you discover fly larvae, always take your pet to see your vet. To prevent fly strikes, check your dog’s skin daily for signs of ulcers, skin irritation, or fecal contamination.
3. Beach dangers
One of the main attractions in Florida is the beach, and while we enjoy the sun, sand, and the waves, pet parents need to be aware of some risks that the beach brings to our furry companions.
What to watch for when at the beach with your dog?
Swimming on the sea, especially for our beloved Golden Retrievers, is like heaven. We need to keep an eye on them not to drink so much salty water. This could cause vomiting and diarrhea and lead to dehydration known as saltwater intoxication.
Can your dog swim well? Some do not, especially puppies and they can easily get tired and drown. You can help your dog get used to swimming in the sea with a life jacket, especially during strong tides and rolling waves.
Some dogs have been known to eat sand when they visit the beach. Most, however, ingest it by accident through digging or repeatedly picking up sandy balls and toys. If a dog swallows enough sand it can cause a blockage in the intestine, which is called sand impaction.
The sun can heat the sand to dangerous temperatures. If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. If you’re planning on visiting the beach on a day that’s forecast to be hot, it’s a good idea to take her in the early morning or late evening. Keep in mind too that running on sand takes a lot more effort than running on grass. Overexertion, particularly in the summer sun, can quickly lead to potentially fatal heat stroke.
There are always temptations on the beach from other people’s picnics, discarded rubbish, beach toys, and shells. It is important to ensure your pet doesn’t eat anything they shouldn’t when so many temptations are around.
4. Grass Seeds and Toxic plants
Seeds from grasses and other cereals can be very troublesome if they find their way into a dog’s eyes, ears, or nose. Grass seeds can also cause skin problems, such as hives or rashes. There is one grass in particular that is very dangerous for dogs, Foxtail Grass, especially the seed. The danger of Foxtail goes beyond simply skin irritation. The seeds of the grass are easily disturbed and can be inhaled by your pup or work their way into their ears, eyes, mouth, and feet. This seed doesn’t break down easily in dogs buddy so it can lead to serious infections.
We love plants in our gardens and inside the house, but some of them and very toxic if ingested by our pets. Some of them are Lilies, Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Azaleas, Sago palm, Castor bean, among others. Before adding any new plant to your home or garden, check the plant’s identification tag to ensure it is pet friendly.
5. Buffo Toads
This kind of toad has glands on its back, which secrete poison. If a dog licks a toad or carries it in its mouth they can get poisoned by this secretion and die. Buffo toad poisoning occurs during the rainy summer. Check our entire article about the Buffo Cane Toad poisoning.
6. ‘Hot spots’ (Moist Dermatitis)
One thing that our Goldens are susceptible to, and the majority of long and double coat dogs and those that are bathed frequently, are Hot Spots. This kind of moist dermatitis often arises where a dog itches, for example on the neck or thigh. The skin becomes irritated and develops an ulcerated, red patch. Bacteria spread quickly in a hot, humid environment. The hot spot grows rapidly and can be extremely painful. To prevent them, take time to dry your dog thoroughly after bathing.
Hope this tips can give you and your pet a better summer experience
