Vets have been overwhelmed with pets suffering from heatstroke and other sun-related afflictions as temperatures creep over 30 degrees.

YourVets, a veterinary surgery in Whalebone Lane South, Dagenham, has seen a 50 per cent increase in the number of animals being rushed into the clinic for heat exhaustion, sunburn, and dehydration.

Kim Elrock, practice manager, is calling for pet owners to be responsible and keep their furry friends cool on the hottest day of the year so far.

She added: “Whilst dogs, cats, and rabbits can naturally regulate their own temperatures in the sunshine, it helps if owners do what they can to make their lives more comfortable during the hot weather these British animals aren’t used to.

“White animals in particular have no natural pigments to protect them from the sunshine, and we’re seeing an increased number of white or fair-skinned pets coming in suffering from the harmful effects of the UVA rays like sunburn and blistering on the tips of the ears.”

Symptoms to look out for include tiredness, panting more than usual, wet paw prints, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

If your pet looks like its suffering this summer, take them to a clinic as soon as possible.