With long, hot summer days upon us, pet owners are being warned of added risks for their furry family members.

December and January are traditionally among the busiest months for veterinarians across Australia, due to the high number of pet injuries and accidents that occur at this time of year.

One of the biggest and most worrying issues is animals being affected by heatstroke. According to Pet Insurance Australia, heatstroke tops the list of the 10 most common vet emergencies for dogs and cats this season. (The list is detailed further below.)

Pet Insurance Australia spokesperson Nadia Crighton noted that families who have recently adopted a puppy or kitten are especially vulnerable during the holidays.

‘It’s an exciting time for new pet parents, but it’s also when we see a big spike in preventable injuries and accidents,’ she said.

‘Summer creates the perfect mix of kittens, puppies, heat, outdoor activity, festive food and holiday chaos, and that combination can lead to an emergency vet trip faster than people realise.’

1. Heatstroke

One of the most dangerous summer emergencies for pets is heatstroke – with  puppies, flat-faced dog breeds and excitable pets being especially susceptible.

One of the most dangerous summer emergencies for pets is heatstroke – with puppies, flat-faced dog breeds and excitable pets being especially susceptible

One of the biggest concerns for pets over the sweltering summer months is increased risk of heatstroke

‘Heatstroke can escalate within minutes. Even healthy young dogs can collapse from overheating while playing or walking. Many owners underestimate how quickly it happens,’ Nadia warns.

‘It’s not only incredibly deadly, but it can also come at a huge cost to pet owners. Luckily, it is completely avoidable.’

The fortunate part is that pet owners can often take active steps to prevent heatstroke by ensuring pets have constant access to fresh water, keeping them indoors as much as possible on hot days, and limiting walks or outdoor time to early mornings and evenings.

Celebrity vet Dr Chris Brown previously shared a clever ‘DIY ice bed’ hack to help dogs cope with heat. To make it, take a damp (not wet) towel, roll it up, and freeze it.

Then, when the temperature is soaring, you can place it on the floor where your dog relaxes for an instant ice bed.

‘A simple cold floor is very effective at cooling a dog, as the tiles (or cement) conduct heat away from the body significantly faster than cool air. But you can amplify that effect with an ice bed,’ he said in a Facebook

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‘Summer creates the perfect mix of kittens, puppies, heat, outdoor activity, festive food and holiday chaos, and that combination can lead to an emergency vet trip faster than people realise,’ said Pet Insurance Australia spokesperson Nadia Crighton

During summer, pets are at a greater risk of being exposed to parasites, insect stings. Even grass seeds pose a potential risk of becoming trapped in paws, nose, eyes or lungs

With a little extra care and protective measures, pet owners can avoid most of the risks that can plague furry friends over summer