Summer

As humans, we tend to embrace the sunshine and warmer weather that the summer months bring us. However, enjoying these warmer temperatures can quickly become very dangerous for our four-legged friends.

Dogs lack the amount of widespread sweat glands that humans possess; only having sweat glands in their feet and around their nose. Therefore, they are unable to tolerate the heat like we can, relying on panting to keep themselves cool. Breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers have a further increased susceptibility to heat stroke due to their upper airway abnormalities. To help your pets enjoy the summer safely:

• Make sure your pet always has access to fresh water, including taking some with you on a walk.
• Stuff a Kong and pop it in the freezer to make a refreshing treat.
• Make sure there’s a shady spot in the garden if your pet goes outdoors. If there is no shade  in your garden you can easily create some by placing some cloth or cardboard over an area to keep the sun out.
• Put a paddling pool or water spray toy out in the garden for them to play in.
• Keep up with their daily grooming – matted hair traps in heat in dogs and cats. If your pet is long haired consider getting them a shorter trim in the summer.
• Dogs paw pads can burn on hot pavements – if it is too hot for your hand it is too hot for their paws.
• Use a fan in the rooms where you pet likes to settle.

There’s nothing better than enjoying a barbecue with loved ones during the great British summer. But there are a lot of potential dangers for our much-loved pets that we need to be mindful of.

Every summer we see a rise in injuries and poisonings, particularly when the weather is warm and sunny. Swallowing kebab skewers, eating cooked bones, developing food poisoning, or sustaining burn injuries from stealing piping hot food from the BBQ are the most common. Pets can also sustain traumatic injuries such as getting their tails stuck in patio doors and breaking their legs.

Follow these simple tips to make sure your barbecue is fun for everyone – including our furry friends!

1. Remember party food is not for pets​

Is your dog a master of puppy dog eyes? Don’t give in, and make sure your guests know the rules too! Be aware which human foods are dangerous to your pets: alcohol, corn on the cob and bones are particularly dangerous BBQ hazards.

Food scraps can upset your pet’s stomach and undercooked or fatty foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) which can be very serious, and sometimes even fatal. Try giving them a healthy chew to chomp on or a fun toy to play with instead. It will keep them occupied while you enjoy your food in peace.

2. Bin it…securely!

We all know how skilled our pets, particularly dogs, can be when it comes to sniffing out tasty leftovers. If you don’t keep a close eye on them, pets can easily get hold of something they shouldn’t. A big problem at barbecues is pets eating things like kebab skewers or the core from a corn on the cob. These can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems, such as gut blockages and injuries for dogs and cats.

Make sure any leftovers and rubbish are thrown away in a lidded bin that your pet can’t raid. All those food smells will be super tempting for pets, so your bin needs to be secure!

3. Keep temptation out of reach

There’s likely to be several poisonous temptations at your barbecue; lighter fluid, alcoholic drinks, sugar-free treats and chocolate desserts to name a few. Remember how inquisitive pets can be and don’t underestimate how far they can reach when they want something! Keep anything harmful well out of harm’s way.

4. Too hot to handle!

Keep pets a safe distance away from the barbecue by establishing boundaries. Sizzling sausages can be hard for a dog to resist, but a stolen sausage off the BBQ grill is way too hot to handle. Plus, when swallowed whole they can cause stomach ulcers and dehydration.

Hot food, hot coals and ashes can all cause serious burns. Always make sure the BBQ is cooled down quickly once you’ve finished cooking and never leave pets on their own around it while it’s still hot.

5. Beware of smoke

Fumes can be very irritating for pets, especially as many of them have sensitive airways. Make sure your pets are far away from the BBQ and not downwind of any smoke. This is especially important for small pets and birds; you might need to move their enclosure or the BBQ so they are away from the smoke.

6. Keep them cool and hydrated

Barbecues are hot work – the open flame, the smoky and sizzling food, not to mention the heat of the summer’s day – and our furry friends can quickly overheat! Make sure they can head into the shade or indoors whenever they need to cool down. And if you hear there’s a heatwave coming, think about having your barbecue later in the evening so your pet won’t get too much excitement at the hottest part of the day.

In all the excitement, we often forget to keep ourselves hydrated and the same goes for our pets, who often can’t tell us they’re thirsty and in all their excitement, may not even realise it themselves. Always make sure that your pet has access to fresh, clean water, in a shaded area and encourage them to drink it at regular intervals.

7. Slap on the sun cream

Sun safety is just as important for our pets as it is for us. If you’re feeling the need to slather on the sun cream, it’s likely your pet will need some too especially if they have thin fur, white fur, or pink skin exposed such as the tips of the ears or on the end of the nose. Make sure you use a pet-safe sun cream – your vet will be able to recommend one for you if you’re not sure what to look for.

8. Set up a safe space

Get-togethers can be a busy time with visiting family and friends, so ahead of party time it’s worth making sure your garden is secure and pet safe. With all the distractions, you might not be able to watch your pet as closely, especially while you’re cooking food, entertaining guests or enjoying a well-earned feast. Check the fences and plants ahead of time so you can relax and know your pet is safe and having as much fun as you.

If you’re planning to spruce up your garden, make sure you know which plants are poisonous to your pet. For example, laburnum is poisonous to dogs, lilies are particularly poisonous to cats, and daffodils, rhododendron and yew are poisonous to both dogs and cats.

9. Give them room to take a break

Having a house full of strangers might be a bit stressful for your pet, so it may be worth making sure there’s an unoccupied room for them to relax in. But be careful they don’t get shut into a conservatory or greenhouse, as these can heat up very easily in summer and cause heat stroke which is often life-threatening.

Dogs are usually eager to please and might not want to take a rest even if they’re getting worked up or too hot. Look for warning signs that they’re getting over excited or finding the situation stressful and give them some time to themselves.

Pets who live in the garden, like some rabbits and guinea pigs, might be frightened by the noise of a big group of people. Try to home, cover part of their cage so they can hide away or move their enclosure into a quieter part of the garden.

10. Treat them too

It’s all well and good us saying, ‘Keep your pet away from this, that and the other,’ but this is easier said than done, right? The best way of distracting your pets is by using objects and treats that they’re familiar with. Why not scatter some treats around the garden to keep their minds and taste buds occupied?

This could be a thirst-quenching pet-safe snack, or a puzzle feeder filled with kibble. If you’re having lots of dogs at the barbecue, why not make a batch of dog-safe cakes to share in a few different sizes to suit all your pet’s furry friends?

As temperatures rise during the summer months, keeping pets active is still important, but how and when they exercise matters just as much as how much they do.

While regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, good behaviour and mental wellbeing, hot weather can quickly turn a normal walk into a health risk if precautions aren’t taken.

Dogs don’t regulate body temperature as efficiently as humans. They rely mainly on panting to cool down, which becomes less effective as the surrounding temperature rises. When combined with exercise, this can quickly lead to overheating.

Even on days that don’t feel extremely hot, factors like humidity, direct sun and lack of airflow can increase risk.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

During summer, the timing of walks is more important than the distance.

• Early morning and late evening are safest.
• Midday walks should be avoided entirely on warm days.
• Always check pavement temperature before heading out. If it’s too hot to comfortably hold your hand on the ground for 5–7 seconds, it’s too hot for paws.

BREED DIFFERENCES MATTER

Not all dogs tolerate heat in the same way. Some are naturally more vulnerable and require extra caution. Higher-risk dogs include:

• Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs) such as Bulldogs, Pugs and French Bulldogs
• Overweight or obese dogs
• Very young puppies and older dogs
• Thick-coated breeds like Huskies or Newfoundlands
• Dogs with heart or respiratory conditions

Brachycephalic dogs are particularly at risk because their shortened airways make panting less efficient, meaning they can overheat quickly even with mild activity.

HOW MUCH EXERCISE IS ENOUGH IN HOT WEATHER?

There is no single rule that fits every dog, but in summer the focus should shift from “distance” to “quality and safety”.

On hot days, consider:

• Shorter, more frequent walks
• Shaded routes such as woodland paths
• Sniffing games and mental stimulation instead of long walks
• Indoor play or enrichment activities during peak heat

Mental exercise can be just as tiring as physical activity and is often safer in extreme temperatures. Just 10–15 minutes of mental enrichment can be as tiring as a much longer walk, helping your pet stay happy and content during hot weather. Here are some simple ideas:

• Food puzzles and treat-dispensing toys – encourage natural hunting and problem-solving while rewarding your dog.
• Snuffle mats – hide treats among the fabric for your dog to sniff out.
• Scent games – hide treats or favourite toys around the house and ask your dog to find them.
• Training sessions – practise basic commands, tricks, or teach new skills such as spin, paw, or roll over.
• Scatter feeding – sprinkle kibble around a room or garden for your dog to search for.
• Frozen enrichment treats – stuffed Kongs, lick mats, or frozen pet-safe treats can provide both mental stimulation and cooling.
• Interactive play – gentle games of tug or hide-and-seek indoors.
• Obstacle courses – create simple indoor challenges using cushions, chairs, and blankets.