Pets, just like people, can get dehydrated, sunburnt and eat bad food over the summer months. Although summer is an enjoyable time for pets, with longer days, warmer evenings and their owners being around more, extra care is needed.

'Kiwis have the second-highest rate of pet ownership in the world, with 64 per cent of households home to at least one animal companion,” says Southern Cross Pet Insurance GM Anthony McPhail, 'so we clearly have a soft spot for our furry friends.

'But we need to make sure we look after them during a season that can be surprisingly dangerous compared to others.”

SCPI recommends owners protect their pets from the heat so they can safely enjoy the upcoming summer. Hot footpaths and roads can burn paws, so try walking dogs on the grass.

Also, never leave your pet in a parked car. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels, causing organ damage and even death.

On a day where it's 24 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can rise to 34 within ten minutes and 40 in 40 minutes. Leaving the windows down makes little to no difference.

Skin cancer is also common in dogs and cats. Although their fur provides some protection from the sun, their exposed skin is still vulnerable. Apply pet-friendly sunscreen to their least hairy spots every three to four hours.

Don't share your barbeque food. Corn on the cob can lodge in a dog's intestines, while Christmas treats like chocolate and fruit mince pies are toxic to pets.