Dogs are more likely to attack and bite people in the summer months, a vet has warned. High temperatures and humidity, especially overnight, will have left many people uncomfortable, but dogs are especially susceptible to the summer heat. A vet has told Express.co.uk that pets may become more frustrated and angry, making them increasingly more likely to angrily react to people than usual.

Emma Chandley, a practising vet with Perfect Pet Insurance, said that summer highs “lower the thresholds for violence” in humans and animals.

She said: “Dogs are more likely to attack and bite in the warmer summer months.

“As with humans, tensions tend to rise as the temperature does.

“From my experience, dogs are more likely to bite on hotter days and days when the air pollution is higher.”

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“It has been suggested in humans that increased temperatures result in higher levels of irritability and discomfort, which lowers the threshold for violence.

“It would seem that this also applies to our canine companions.

“Environmental factors, including temperature, ozone, UV levels and precipitation.

“Behaviour may be influenced by a generalised stress response to airborne pollutants triggered by lung inflammatory messengers.”

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Dr Chandley also provided tips for reducing the likelihood of dog attacks during the summer.

Like humans, the best way to keep a dog calm is to ensure they are cool.

The vet’s tips include:

• Make sure your dog always has access to fresh, cool drinking water. (Ice cubes can be added to reduce the temperature further).
• Freeze dog toys and allow them to play with them.
• Allow access to cool, shady places.
• Use cooling mats on their bed.
• Keep long or thick coats trimmed shorter in warmer months to reduce heat retention. Do not interact with them unnecessarily on very hot days
• Only walk them early or late evening and avoid busy places.
• Keep them away from new people and children.
• Keep them away from other dogs, especially ones they have not encountered before.

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