Summer Nasties Are Coming: Pet Owners Urged to Prepare Now

AUSTRALIA, October 2026: Longer days, warmer evenings and summer adventures may be just around the corner, but so too are some of the season’s most dangerous threats to Australian pets.

Pet Insurance Australia is urging owners to get ahead of the summer danger period, warning that paralysis ticks, fleas, snakes, heat and even seemingly harmless grass seeds can quickly turn a sunny day into an emergency trip to the vet.

“Summer is such a wonderful time to be outdoors with our pets, but unfortunately it also brings a completely different set of risks,” says Nadia Crighton, Pet Insurance Australia spokesperson.

“Many of these problems can escalate incredibly quickly. Preparing now, rather than waiting until something happens, can make a huge difference.”

Tiny Tick, Serious Consequences

At only a few millimetres long, the paralysis tick can be one of the most dangerous summer threats facing Australian dogs and cats.

Paralysis ticks secrete a potent toxin while feeding that affects the nervous system and can cause progressive paralysis. Warning signs can include weakness or wobbliness in the hind legs, changes to a pet’s bark or meow, retching, coughing, vomiting, excessive drooling and difficulty breathing.

According to claims data^* from 2025, the average treatment cost for tick paralysis in dogs was $3,484, with the maximum claim amount at $59,147. For cats, the average amount claimed for tick paralysis was over $2,660, with the highest claim amount topping out at $30,479.

“Something so tiny can make a pet critically ill,” Crighton says. “Pet owners in tick-prone areas need to be particularly vigilant as the weather warms.”

Owners should speak with their veterinarian about appropriate year-round tick prevention and check pets thoroughly every day in high-risk areas, even when using preventatives.

Run your fingertips slowly through the coat and pay particular attention around the head, ears, neck and collar, while remembering to check the entire body, including between the toes.

“If your pet suddenly becomes wobbly, weak, develops an unusual cough or their bark or meow changes, don’t take a wait-and-see approach,” Crighton says. “Tick paralysis can be life-threatening and requires urgent veterinary attention.”

Importantly, never use a tick or flea product intended for dogs on a cat unless specifically advised that it is safe by your veterinarian. Some canine parasite treatments can be highly toxic to cats.

Fleas Love Summer Too

Fleas may not carry the same frightening reputation as paralysis ticks, but an infestation can make pets miserable.

Warm conditions can help flea populations thrive, and what owners see jumping around on their pet represents only part of the problem. Flea eggs, larvae, and pupae can also develop throughout the pet’s environment.

Fleas can cause intense itching and skin irritation, while some animals develop flea allergy dermatitis and may react severely to flea bites. This can lead to expensive skin infections that can also reach into the thousands.

“Skin infections in dogs and cats can be costly, with 2025 claims data^* showing an average treatment cost of $318 for dogs and $292 for cats, and maximum claims reaching $21,590 and $6,328 respectively,” Crighton says. “Prevention is much easier than tackling an established flea problem across your pet, their bedding, carpets and home, so now is a good time to check when your pet’s parasite prevention is due and speak with your vet if you’re unsure whether they’re adequately protected.”

Snake Season: Curiosity Can Be Deadly

As temperatures rise, encounters between pets and snakes also become a serious concern. Dogs are naturally curious and may investigate, chase or confront a snake, while cats can also encounter snakes outdoors.

Australia is home to almost 200 species of snake, including 25 of the world’s most venomous. While around 3,000 people are reportedly bitten by snakes each year, fatalities are fortunately rare.

For pets, however, the risk is significant. An estimated 6,000 dogs are bitten by snakes annually, with sporting breeds considered particularly vulnerable. Cats are bitten less frequently, with incidents estimated to occur at around one-third the rate seen in dogs.^*

Antivenom has significantly improved the chances of survival for both people and pets, but rapid treatment can be critical. One of the biggest challenges for pet owners is that the bite itself may go completely unnoticed.

Snakebite should always be treated as a veterinary emergency. Signs can vary depending on the snake species and circumstances of the bite, but may include sudden weakness or collapse, vomiting, trembling, difficulty walking, dilated pupils, breathing difficulties or paralysis.

Unfortunately, this can be costly. In 2025, the average claim for snakebite treatment was $2,447, with the highest amount claimed at $46,921^* for severe cases.

“One of the most important things owners can do is resist the urge to chase or catch the snake,” Crighton says. “Move your pet away if it is safe to do so, keep them as quiet and still as possible and contact a veterinarian immediately. Never put yourself at risk trying to identify the snake.”

Keeping grass short, clearing piles of timber and garden debris, controlling rodents and supervising pets around bushland, long grass and waterways can also help reduce opportunities for encounters.

The Summer Hazard Hiding in the Grass

Not every summer danger bites. Dry grass seeds can become lodged in paws, ears, eyes and noses or work their way beneath the skin, causing pain, infection and sometimes requiring veterinary investigation or surgical removal.

Pet Insurance Australia sees a noticeable increase in grass-seed-related claims during late spring and summer, particularly in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, where dry grasses are common.

“Grass seed injuries can vary considerably in severity and cost, ranging from around $300 for a straightforward removal under sedation to more than $6,000^{^} when complex surgery is required,” Crighton says.

“Check paws and coats after walks, particularly if your dog has been running through long or dry grass,” Crighton says.

Pet Insurance Australia also recommends paying close attention between the toes and around the ears. Sudden head shaking, persistent paw licking, sneezing or swelling can all warrant a veterinary check.

And Then There’s the Heat

Heatstroke is one of the most dangerous warm-weather emergencies for dogs, and no breed or age is completely immune. Risk can be particularly high for flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs, as well as senior dogs, overweight pets, thick-coated breeds and energetic dogs that may keep running and playing long after they should have stopped.

“Heatstroke can escalate incredibly quickly. A dog can go from seemingly happy and active to seriously unwell in a very short space of time, particularly when exercise, high temperatures and humidity combine,” Crighton warns. “Many owners simply don’t realise how quickly overheating can become an emergency.”

In 2025, Pet Insurance Australia’s highest heatstroke claim reached $11,382.95^{^.}

“Heatstroke can be life-threatening and, as the claims show, treatment can also be incredibly costly,” Crighton says. “The important message for pet owners is that heatstroke is preventable. Adjusting exercise, avoiding the hottest parts of the day and knowing when your dog has had enough can literally save their life.”

Pet owners should exercise dogs during cooler parts of the day, always provide access to fresh water and shade and remember that hot surfaces can also burn sensitive paw pads.

“Never leave a pet inside a parked vehicle, even for a short period,” Crighton says. “If your pet is showing signs such as excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion or collapse, seek urgent veterinary assistance.”

Give Your Pet a Summer Safety Check

Pet Insurance Australia recommends owners prepare before temperatures really begin to climb:

• Check flea and tick prevention is current and appropriate for your pet.
• Get into the habit of performing regular tick checks.
• Keep lawns short and remove garden debris that may provide shelter for snakes.
• Check paws, coats and ears after walks through long or dry grass.
• Move daily walks to cooler mornings and evenings as temperatures rise.
• Never leave a pet in a car – no matter the weather or if a window is cracked.
• Ensure pets always have access to shade and fresh drinking water.
• Know the location and contact details of your closest regular and after-hours veterinarian.
• When travelling, check the parasite and snake risks at your destination rather than assuming they are the same as at home.

“The key message isn’t to be frightened of summer, it’s to be prepared for it,” Crighton says. “A few simple precautions now can help pet owners enjoy everything the Australian summer has to offer while reducing the chance that an encounter with a tick, flea, snake or another seasonal nasty ends in an emergency.”

*PetSure Health Monitor 2026
https://petsure.com.au/pet-health-monitor/

^PIA Data 2025

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