Ever had an itch you just can’t scratch? Then you’ll probably sympathise with dogs that have skin disease. And just like some people with skin conditions, some dogs’ skin is worse in summer. Why is this? What can be done to keep your dog comfy in summer? 

Common Seasonal Skin Diseases 

There are several skin diseases that may be considered ‘seasonal’, or worse at certain times of year. This can vary dependent on geographical location, specific condition and for individual dogs.  

Fleas 

Probably the first thing most owners think of when their dog starts itching, fleas are tiny bloodsucking parasites that bite your dog to feed. This causes inflammation which causes your dog to scratch themselves. Heavier flea burdens, particularly in very small or young dogs, can even lead to a low red blood cell count (anaemia), which can cause lethargy. Fleas can also spread infectious diseases, such as Rickettsia bacteria and even Yersinia pestis, better known as the Plague or the Black Death! Thankfully this is very rare nowadays, and is not native to the UK.  

The flea lifecycle is important in understanding where infections come from. Adult fleas lay thousands of eggs in their environment (these look like tiny pearls), which hatch into larvae. The larvae are not parasitic and feed off debris and blood-filled faeces from adult fleas. Once developed, they pupate and hatch into adult fleas. The adults require feeding from an animal before they can reproduce and begin the cycle again.  

Many fleas live outdoors in heavily grassed or wooded areas, making these regions prime locations for dogs to pick them up. Once on your dog, they can be carried home and reproduce inside, creating a flea infestation. Like many parasites, fleas need warmer weather to survive, meaning spring and summer were high-risk flea periods, while winter provided some respite from these critters.  

However, over the last century or two, as dogs moved from outdoor working animals to indoor pets, we started heating our homes with consistent central heating, and climate change has begun to lead to milder winters, many vets advise that there isn’t a true ‘flea season’ anymore, and fleas reproduce all year round in a warm home. Still, with the extra burden that outdoor fleas may provide in summer, owners should be wary of fleas then particularly.  

Ticks 

Ticks, like fleas, are parasites that bite an animal to feed from their blood. They are larger than fleas, and more easily spotted with the naked eye as a black beetle-shape with legs. Just like fleas, the biggest risk from ticks is the spread of other disease, including Lyme disease or Babesia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever in North America. Some of these diseases can be fatal and can infect humans too. The longer a tick is attached to the body, the greater the chance the tick will infect an animal. Damaging the tick, such as by crushing or burning, may also cause it to release infected blood into your pet. Ticks should only be removed with a specific tick-removal device – these can be bought from camping shops, pet supply shops or veterinary practices. Ticks will cause some local irritation that can lead to skin disease as well.  

As with fleas, ticks live in tall grass and wooded areas, with areas of the southwest England and Scotland particularly high-risk. Other high-risk parts of the world include much of Africa, Asia and South America. When the weather is warmer, ticks thrive, making summer-months higher risk for dogs, and colder times of the year safer.  

Mites 

To round out our trio of parasites, we have mites. As with fleas and ticks, these critters like to feed on your dog’s skin, either living on the surface or burrowing inside. This can cause intense irritation and inflammation. A heavy mite infestation is commonly known as mange or scabies (though this technically only refers to one specific mite, Sarcoptes scabiei). Other common dog mites include Cheyletiella, Demodex and Otodectes (the ear mite).  

Many mites are not directly seasonal, and are even found on your dog in low numbers normally (like Demodex). However, certain mites, like harvest mites, are most active in warmer months, in the UK especially around autumn (hence the name). These tiny orange mites latch on to your dog’s fur and cause irritation, commonly between the toes, ears and on the belly.  

Allergic Skin Disease/Atopy 

Allergic skin disease is a very common cause of itching in dogs, and can be caused by a variety of allergens (things that cause an allergic reaction), ranging from food proteins, to grass or pollen, to dust mites and fleas, to certain drugs. Dogs tend to develop atopy from around 6 months to 3 years old. Itchy skin causes a dog to scratch, damaging the skin and producing inflammation. This can result in skin infections, crusting, dry or greasy skin, and chronic thickening. Ear disease is also commonly associated with atopy.  

Diagnosis of allergies can be difficult. Simpler skin diseases, like parasites, must be ruled out first. Often secondary infections of yeasts or bacteria require treatment at the same time. From here, allergies can be presumptively identified via a medication or hypoallergenic diet trial. Certain allergic responses can be detected via blood or skin testing. Treatment can also be difficult, with many dogs requiring long-term anti-allergen drugs, topical shampoos and creams, avoidance of the allergens, or immunotherapy.  

Many owners report that their dog’s allergies appear to be seasonal, which can occur with environmental allergens. This seems to be more common in summer, perhaps because certain plants or pollens are widespread, similar to humans with hay fever. Many dogs may be completely comfortable in autumn and winter, only to become itchy again in spring and summer. 

Other Factors Affecting Skin in Summer 

There are other factors that may worsen a dog’s skin disease in summer.  

Heat 

Dogs don’t regulate their body temperature quite the same way as humans do – although dogs do sweat, mostly from their paws and nose, they release most heat through panting. However, this doesn’t make them immune to trapping heat in their fur that can cause irritation. This is particularly true for dogs with heavy thick coats, excess skin or skin folds. Friction rubbing of these areas causes irritation that can quickly lead to skin infection.  

Sunburn 

Thanks to their fur coats, dogs tend to be better protected from harmful UV-light compared to human skin. However, pale-coated dogs, hairless dogs, and non-haired areas like the nose, are still vulnerable to becoming damaged by the sun. In time, this can lead to certain skin cancers as well, just like in people.  

Swimming 

Many dogs like swimming if warmer weather (though just as many prefer to stay dry!). If your dog is one of those that likes a paddle in summer, be wary of their ears. Dog ears should remain relatively dry, as a wet environment can encourage the growth of harmful fungal and bacterial infections. If your dog has underlying skin disease, like atopy, swimming can easily cause a flare-up, particularly if the water is not clean.  

Contact Dermatitis 

As summer begins, many areas that dogs like to play in require management from humans. Whether this is fertilisers on fields, pesticides on gardens, or cleaners in pools and ponds, many of these chemicals can cause irritation if your dog touches them. With many dogs spending more time outdoors during summer, be wary of where your dog roams. Dogs can also develop painful burns from hot pavement during heatwaves.  

Anxiety from Changes in Routine 

Dogs are often creatures of habit, but when summer rolls around, many people’s routines change – we work or spend more time outdoors more, like to visit friends, or go on holiday. All of these activities can be disruptive for some dogs, which can encourage stress-relieving activities like licking paws. In some cases, these changes can precipitate skin disease, particularly those who are already atopic.  

How to Avoid Skin Flare-Ups in Summer 

So we’ve given you lots of reasons why your dog’s skin might be worse in summer. Now let’s talk solutions.  

First of all, you should ensure your dog remains up to date with regular broad-spectrum ectoparasite (flea, tick and mite) control 

The product and frequency should be as suitable for their risk factors – your vet will be able to advise you. This often means a tablet or spot-on solution every 1-3 months. It is often recommended to do this year-round, but for most pets the peak risk is during the summer. You can also consider where your dog walks, avoiding long grass or heavily wooded areas. After each walk, check your pet’s fur for creepy-crawlies and remove any clingers-on promptly.   

When it comes to atopy, avoidance is important, if possible  

However, if you don’t know what your dog is allergic to, or if it is unavoidable like tree-pollen, you may have to manage your dog’s skin with medications to prevent an allergic response. Oral drugs from veterinary practices, such as oclacitinib, lokivetmab, prednisolone or cyclosporine are often recommended. Your dog may have to start these, or have their dose increased during summer-months. Topical products, such as moisturisers or shampoos to preserve their skin-barrier will also help. After each walk, give your dog a wash in cold water, focussing on their belly and feet, to wash off any allergens. And regularly wash your dog’s bedding, toys, blankets or other areas they touch.  

General advice for summer  

To prevent not just skin disease, but other conditions like heatstroke, try to avoid the hot midday sun and areas with no shade, walk them at night when it is cooler, check the heat of the pavement with the back of your hand before walking, use doggy-suncream (or human baby suncream if you cannot find dog suncream), keep them on a lead in unfamiliar environments, and have their fur clipped short. If your dog swims, keep their ears tied back with a human hair-tie to air out, use a portable hairdryer, or even consider avoiding water if they are prone to ear infections.  

Final Thoughts 

Summer should be a time to enjoy the great outdoors for dogs and their owners. Yet for many, it becomes a season of discomfort, sore skin and visits to the vet. But with some planning and routine changes, you can ensure your dog is protected in the heat, and can enjoy the sun all summer long.