Seasonal Safety:
A Year-Round Guide for Pet Owners

Every season brings something to look forward to: spring walks, summer beach days, crisp autumn leaves and cosy Christmases. But each one also brings its own hazards for our pets, and living by the coast in Thanet gives us a few extra ones to think about too.

This guide takes you through the year, season by season, so you can enjoy every bit of it together, safely. Bookmark it and check back as the seasons change.

The 30-second version

1. Every season has its own hazards, from Easter eggs to antifreeze.
2. On warm days, never leave a pet in a car, and walk dogs in the cooler parts of the day.
3. Firework season needs planning weeks in advance, especially for anxious pets.
4. Christmas food and decorations cause lots of emergency visits. Keep them out of reach.
5. If your pet eats something they shouldn’t, or seems unwell, call us straight away.

Your year at a glance

Spring

Easter treats. Chocolate eggs and hot cross buns (which contain raisins or sultanas) are both toxic to pets. Keep them well out of reach, and make sure Easter egg hunts are pet-free zones. Dogs are surprisingly good at finding the eggs before the children do.

Spring flowers and bulbs. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other spring bulbs can cause vomiting, drooling and tummy upsets, and the bulbs themselves are often the most toxic part. Store bulbs safely and keep an eye on dogs who like to dig.

Lilies and cats. Every part of the lily is toxic to cats, including the pollen and the water in the vase. Even a small amount can cause life-threatening kidney damage. If you have a cat, the safest option is not to have lilies in your home or garden at all.

Gardens. Slug and snail pellets, fertilisers, weedkillers and cocoa shell mulch (which contains the same toxic compound as chocolate) can all be dangerous. Always read labels, store products securely and keep pets away from treated areas.

Adders. The adder is the UK’s only venomous snake and is most active in spring and summer, often basking on heathland, sand dunes and woodland edges. Bites usually cause painful swelling, often on the face or legs.

Livestock. Spring is lambing season. Keep dogs on a lead around livestock and follow the Countryside Code.

Ticks become much more active in spring. See our Prevention guide for how to protect your pet.

Important: if you think your pet has been bitten by an adder

Keep your pet as calm and still as possible, carry them if you can do so safely, and call us immediately on the way in on 01843 808344. Don’t try to suck out venom, cut the wound or apply a tourniquet.

Vet advice If your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, or seems unwell after a walk or time in the garden, seek professional veterinary advice straight away.

Summer

Heatstroke

Heatstroke can kill, and it can happen faster than many people realise. To help prevent it:

• Walk dogs in the cooler early morning or late evening
• Never leave a pet in a car, conservatory or caravan on a warm day, even with the windows open, even for ‘just a minute’
• Make sure your pet always has shade and fresh water
• Take extra care with flat-faced breeds (such as pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs), overweight pets, older pets, and those with heart or breathing problems

If you think your dog is overheating, remember: cool first, transport second. Start cooling them straight away with water cooler than they are and a breeze from a fan, call us, and then bring them in. Our Emergency guide explains this in more detail.

Hot pavements, sunburn and beach days

Hot pavements. Try the five-second test: place the back of your hand on the pavement or sand. If you can’t comfortably hold it there for five seconds, it’s too hot for paws.

Sunburn. Pets with pale or thin fur, especially white cats with white ears, can burn, and repeated sunburn can lead to skin cancer. Keep them in the shade during the hottest part of the day and ask us about pet-safe sun protection. Never use a human sunscreen without checking with us first.

Beach days. We’re lucky to live so close to some beautiful beaches, but they come with a few extra risks:

• Some local beaches have seasonal dog restrictions, so check the signs before you go
• Drinking seawater can make dogs very unwell, so bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl
• Eating sand, for example when playing with a sandy ball, can cause tummy upsets or blockages
• Watch out for jellyfish, discarded fishing hooks and line, and washed-up rubbish
• Not all dogs are strong swimmers, and currents can be powerful. Keep your dog within your control, and consider a canine life jacket
• Rinse salt water and sand off your dog’s coat and paws afterwards

Other summer hazards

Blue-green algae. In warm weather, toxic algae can build up in lakes, ponds and slow-moving water, sometimes appearing as a green or blue-green scum. It can be fatal to dogs, even in small amounts. Keep dogs out of water that looks discoloured or scummy, and follow any warning signs.

Grass seeds. Grass seeds can work their way into ears, paws, eyes and skin. Check your pet after walks. Head shaking, a sudden limp, licking a paw or squinting can all be signs of a grass seed problem.

Barbecues. Corn on the cob, kebab skewers, cooked bones and fatty meat are all common causes of emergency visits. Keep pets away from the grill and the bins.

Stings. Bee and wasp stings are common in summer. Swelling of the face or throat, or any difficulty breathing, is an emergency.

Flystrike. In warm weather, flies can lay eggs on rabbits (and other small pets), particularly around a dirty bottom. The maggots that hatch can cause severe injury very quickly. Check your rabbit’s bottom every day, and twice a day in warm weather. If you find maggots, call us immediately.

Vet advice Heatstroke, stings with swelling, suspected algae exposure and flystrike all need urgent professional veterinary advice. Call us on 01843 808344.

Holidays and travel

Kennels, catteries and pet sitters. Book early, especially in the school holidays. Most kennels and catteries will ask to see up-to-date vaccination records, and many kennels require a kennel cough vaccination. Using a pet sitter? Leave them clear notes on feeding and medicines, your contact details, and our number: 01843 808344.

Car journeys. The Highway Code asks drivers to make sure dogs and other animals are suitably restrained in vehicles, so they can’t distract you or be hurt if you stop quickly. A secure crate, carrier or dog seatbelt harness all work well. Plan regular breaks with water on long trips, and never leave your pet alone in a parked car.

Going abroad. The rules for taking pets abroad have changed in recent years and can change again. Check the latest guidance on GOV.UK and speak to us several months before you travel, as some requirements take time to arrange.

Vet advice Planning a trip? Seek professional veterinary advice well in advance, so your pet’s vaccinations, parasite protection and paperwork are all in order.

Autumn

Conkers and acorns can be toxic and can also cause choking or a blockage in the gut. Don’t let dogs play with or chew them.

Mushrooms and fungi. Some wild fungi are highly toxic, and they can be very difficult to identify. Treat all wild mushrooms as potentially dangerous and stop your dog from eating them.

Antifreeze tastes sweet, and very small amounts can be fatal to cats and dogs. Store it securely, clean up any spills straight away and dispose of containers carefully.

Rodent poisons are used more as mice and rats move indoors for winter. These are extremely dangerous to pets. If you need pest control, choose a professional service and tell them you have pets.

Dark evenings. Reflective or light-up collars, leads and jackets help keep you and your dog visible on evening walks.

Seasonal canine illness is a condition seen mostly in autumn, in dogs who have walked in woodland. Signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy can appear within a few days of a walk.

Harvest mites are tiny orange specks often found on the feet, ears and tummy, and they can be very itchy.

Vet advice If your dog becomes unwell after a woodland walk, or you think your pet may have eaten something toxic, seek professional veterinary advice straight away.

Spotlight: firework season

Fireworks can be terrifying for pets, and firework season often stretches well beyond Bonfire Night, through Diwali, New Year and other celebrations. A little planning can make a big difference.

Did you know? Why bangs are so scary Dogs can hear higher-pitched sounds than we can, and they can pick up sounds from much further away. Add sudden flashes and unfamiliar smells, and it’s easy to see why fireworks can be so overwhelming.

Weeks before

• If your pet gets very anxious, speak to us well in advance. Some pets benefit from medication or other support, which needs to be discussed with a vet and should never be given without veterinary advice
• Sound therapy programmes can help, but need to be started weeks or months ahead
• Create a cosy ‘den’ where your pet can hide, such as a covered crate or a quiet corner with blankets
• Check that your pet’s microchip details are up to date, in case they bolt

On the night

• Walk dogs while it’s still light, before the fireworks start
• Keep cats and dogs indoors from dusk, and give cats a litter tray inside
• Close windows, doors and curtains, and put on the TV or some music to help mask the bangs
• Let your pet hide if they want to, and don’t force them out
• It’s fine to calmly comfort your pet if they come to you for reassurance
• Never punish a frightened pet
• For rabbits and guinea pigs, bring hutches into a quiet room or outbuilding if possible, or partly cover them with a blanket (leaving plenty of ventilation) and provide extra bedding to burrow into

Signs of stress include trembling, panting, pacing, drooling, hiding, toileting accidents and trying to escape.

Vet advice If your pet is severely frightened by fireworks, please don’t wait for next year. Seek professional veterinary advice; there’s lots we can do to help.

Winter

Christmas food. Chocolate, mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake (which contain dried fruit), stuffing and gravy (which often contain onion), cooked turkey bones, fatty trimmings, sugar-free sweets and alcohol are all hazards. Keep the table, the kitchen and the bins out of bounds. Your dog will make a very convincing case for a plate of leftovers. Stay strong.

Decorations. Tinsel, ribbon and string are particularly dangerous for cats, as they can cause serious damage if swallowed. Keep an eye on baubles, chewable fairy light cables, salt dough ornaments and batteries (button batteries can cause severe internal burns). Don’t put wrapped chocolates or food gifts under the tree, as dogs can easily sniff them out.

Festive plants. Poinsettia, holly, mistletoe and ivy can cause tummy upsets and other problems, and lilies in Christmas bouquets are very dangerous to cats.

Visitors and stress. Busy homes can be overwhelming. Give your pet a quiet room to retreat to, and keep an eye on doors so nobody slips out.

Ice and cold

• Antifreeze and de-icers are a winter hazard too. Wipe paws after walks, as grit and salt can irritate them and are harmful if licked off
• Keep dogs on a lead near frozen ponds and lakes
• Older and thin-coated pets may feel the cold more and benefit from a coat and a warm bed
• Cats sometimes shelter in warm car engines, so give the bonnet a knock before starting your car
• Outdoor rabbits and guinea pigs need protection from cold, wind and rain, plenty of extra bedding, and water bottles that are checked so they don’t freeze. Guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to cold, and many owners bring them indoors for winter

Important: never go onto ice to rescue a pet

If your dog falls through ice, don’t go onto the ice or into the water after them. Call 999 and ask for the Fire Service. Encourage your dog to swim back towards you from a safe place on the bank.

Alabama rot (CRGV) is a rare but serious disease in dogs. Its cause isn’t yet known, but most UK cases occur between November and May, and it has often been reported in dogs walked in muddy or wooded areas. It usually starts with unexplained sores, ulcers or red, swollen patches, most often on the paws or lower legs, and some dogs go on to develop kidney failure. Washing mud off your dog after walks and checking their skin regularly is sensible.

Vet advice If your dog develops an unexplained sore or wound, or you have any winter worries, seek professional veterinary advice promptly.