Recent data from pet insurance claims reveals a clear seasonal trend: certain ailments and accidents spike with summer in full swing.

By knowing what to watch for, pet parents can help their animal family avoid discomfort and pain and potentially save on unexpected vet visits.

That’s according to PD Insurance chief operating officer Michelle Le Long.

“We like sharing key insights from our claims data because it provides a window into some common ailments and accidents people’s pets encounter across New Zealand,” she said.

“And whether your pet’s insured or not, knowing what to look out for means a better chance of avoiding it altogether.”

The findings confirm a noticeable spike in claims across several areas: allergies, tummy upsets, getting hit by a car, grass seeds, and those ‘What did you eat?!’ ingestion incidents.

The grass seed predicament

First up, grass seeds. These can embed themselves in paws, ears and eyes.

The data showed a big surge in summer months: December, January, and February accounted for 63.7% of last year’s total.

Compare that with the winter lows, where cases dip from May to August, and it’s clear – summer walkies can turn worrisome when grass seeds lodge, Le Long said.

“We’ve seen numerous claims where dogs suffer significantly, and vet bills climb into the thousands – all from something as small and seemingly insignificant as a grass seed.”

Vigilance was the keyword here: avoid long, seeding grasses and inspect and brush coats regularly.

“Catching a seed early could mean the difference between a lot of pain for your pet or simply a walk in the park,” Le Long advised.

Not to be sneezed at

If there were 3Ps for summer, they’d be pollen, pests, and particles. Allergies were a summer buzzkill, with itchy skin and reactions flaring up to a peak – more than 30% of annual cases occur in this season. Along with pollen, there are dust mites, fleas, and particles from fungi and mould.

Pets scratch, sneeze, and suffer, leading to vet visits that can rack up costs fast, Le Long said.

“Perhaps harder to avoid, but once you know the allergen causing problems for your pet, protecting them becomes more manageable.”

Tummy upsets

Summer barbecues, picnics, and other festive feasts can mean extra temptations, and that could be just one potential cause of diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, and vomiting woes. These tummy upset cases spike in January and February, making up 28% of the annual total.

“Most of us tend to want to share our snacks with the fur family, but the general rule is simple: human food for humans. And if your pet’s prone to pilfering, keep the trash bins secure, or risk a symphony of unhappy bellies,” was Le Long’s advice.

Closely related were ingestion claims. “The ‘my pet ate what?!’ problem was slightly more pronounced in summer, probably owing to the more frequent walkies and other summer outings,” Le Long noted.

From toxic plants to snuffling up sand and seawater on beach trips and all sorts of other items, pets gobble first and ask questions later. The data paints a picture of curious cats and daring dogs mistakenly turning summer freedom into emergency room stories.

Le Long said there’s a clear correlation between warmer weather and certain pet afflictions.

“You could say summer’s joys come with jabs, sometimes quite literally in the form of vet needles. Perhaps it’s the combination of increased and unusual holiday activities where accidents are concerned and the heightened presence of allergens on the other.

“Either way, knowing what tends to go wrong can often mean spotting danger before it becomes a problem.”

With summer here and long, warm days ahead, Le Long said there’s lots to enjoy.

“Embrace the season: slap on the pet-safe sunscreen, stock up on toys, and be a prepared pet parent. Your furball will thank you with slobbery kisses, not scratchy itches.”

– Content supplied by PD Pet Insurance