The Australian summer is made for sunshine, barbecues, and long days outdoors with your pets. Let’s be honest—it’s been a long year, and we all deserve every ounce of summer fun coming our way.
And you know what’s not fun? The pet ER.
Here’s what you can do to hopefully do your best to keep yourselves out of the vet clinic this summer.
Don’t be complacent with the Aussie sun—heat stroke is a life-threatening condition, and strikes all dogs, especially our short-faced breeds like French bulldogs.
Dogs can’t sweat, and so they really rely on breathing out hot air to cool off. But if the air around them is just as hot—they’re cooked—literally.
For this reason, fans just don’t cut it. Air-conditioned environments provide cool air that can be breathed in and help to cool your pet from their core.
Humidity makes the heat affect your pets so much worse, so watch out for mild but humid days.
And whilst it goes without saying, be extra vigilant around your pet and the car. Whilst I hope we all know never to leave our pets in the car, you need to be cautious of where you are.
Each year, we will see one dog that has jumped in the car during the grocery transfer and not been noticed until they are incredibly unwell. Take care out there.
What can you do to avoid heat stroke? Only exercise during the cooler parts of the day—early morning or late evening—and keep outdoor play sessions short.
Watch for early warning signs:
Cool your pet with tepid water over their fur and tummy (never ice) and get to a vet immediately.
Tip: Cooling mats, shallow paddling pools, and indoor rest breaks make summer safer (and fun) for everyone.
Summer socialising means busier dog parks—everyone is enjoying the sun. Unfortunately, for us, this comes with a surge of dog bite injuries.
This is sadly so very common due to the nature of dog parks—it’s an absolute free-for-all with goodness knows who. Sometimes you meet the most amazing pets and their humans, and other times tensions can be just too high.
Start small. Arrange playdates with dogs you know, in safe, controlled settings. Supervise all interactions and advocate for your dog when play turns to hostility.
If your dog is bitten, don’t wait to see if it heals on its own. The nature of dog bite lacerations is a real tip of the iceberg situation—often the wounds on the skin are minor compared to the underlying damage, not to mention nasty infection.
Snakes are active throughout the warmer months, especially in bush, creek, or rural areas.
However, you don’t need to be in the bush to cross their path—Browns and Tigers are most certainly in the Maroondah area. A curious dog off-leash can find trouble fast.
Keep dogs on-lead in snake-prone zones and avoid tall grass or undergrowth. If you suspect a bite—don’t wait! See your nearest vet immediately.
Snake bites can be fatal even with antivenom, so don’t delay.
Hot pavements and sand can burn paws in seconds. Test the ground with your hand—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.
Apply pet-safe sunscreen on exposed areas like noses and ears during long outdoor days. Keep up with tick, flea, and heartworm prevention—these parasites thrive in warm, humid conditions.
Regular checks after walks help catch ticks early before they cause illness.
When you’re out by the pool or beach, never leave pets unsupervised. Not all dogs are natural swimmers, and cats can panic near water.
If boarding or travelling, ensure vaccinations and parasite protection are current. Keep emergency contact numbers handy, including your local after-hours vet.
Create a quick summer-safety kit: water, collapsible bowls, a cooling mat, first-aid supplies, a leash, and an ID tag or microchip update.
At Vetland Hospital & Emergency, we’d much rather see your pets happy and healthy at home than in our emergency ward.
A little prevention goes a long way toward a safe, carefree summer.
Because the best emergencies are the ones we never have to treat.