Seasonal Pet Care: What Changes Every Three Months
The specific risk each season brings for dogs and cats, and the precautions that actually prevent an emergency vet visit.
Seasonal Care
Every season brings its own risk
A rare warm spell and hot tarmac, a cold, damp winter and antifreeze left out in the shed, spring and autumn allergy flare-ups: the risks change with the calendar, and so should the precautions. A dog that is grand on a mild July day can still overheat if the sun catches a still, humid afternoon.
Cold affects pets differently by size and coat
A short-haired dog and a collie do not need the same winter precautions, and neither does an older pet with arthritis, which a damp Irish winter tends to aggravate. Matching the precaution to the individual pet matters more than sticking to one rule for every animal.
Can dogs get heatstroke even on a mild day?
Yes, particularly in a parked car or on hot tarmac, both of which can reach dangerous temperatures well before the air itself feels warm.
Do outdoor cats need different care in winter?
Yes. Access to water that has not frozen over, a dry and warm shelter option and a few extra calories to help maintain body heat are worth checking on regularly, especially once the damp really sets in.