Aussies guilty of neglecting at-home pet care
New research has revealed that Australian pet owners are overlooking home health checks for their furry friends.
A report released by PetSure recording data from 2022 for 2023 showed that just one in 10 pet owners provided at-home health checks for their pets, including things such as brushing their pet’s teeth or checking for fleas and ticks.
However, even with the cost of living crisis, the report found 82 per cent of pet owners spoil their pet’s each month.
"With pet ownership across Australia at a record high, companion animals continue to play a central role in our lives, but there is still a knowledge gap when it comes to pet health and the role pet insurance can play in helping you prepare for the unexpected," CEO of PetSure Alex Thomas said.
The data analysed in the report shows the top five health conditions for dogs and cats.
The top five dog diseases in 2022 included skin allergies, arthritis, diarrhoea, ear infections, and gastritis.
For cats, it was vomiting, gastrointestinal tract diseases, dental disease, diarrhoea and urinary tract disease.
"Like many pet owners, vets are animal lovers and they want the best for your fur baby, but pet parents need to do their due diligence. While pampering can provide enrichment for pets, it's simple things like regularly brushing your dog's teeth or checking for fleas and ticks that pet parents should prioritise," vet Dr Betty Chan said.
"Being proactive with a regular at-home health routine could help detect and address issues early on, resulting in better pet healthcare outcomes. In some cases, this could mean a health condition is less complex and costly to treat – leading to a more positive experience for pets, their owners and vets,” she continued.
Vets Dr Betty Chan and Dr Kylie have provided a few tips for those neglecting at-home pet checks.
With skin allergies in dogs, which were the number one health condition for dogs in 2023, the vets recommend monitoring closely and taking them for regular checkups.
They also said to stay up-to-date with flea treatments, which will help to avoid allergies triggered by itchy skin.
While the number one condition for cats in 2022 was vomiting, this may indicate there is an issue with their gastrointestinal tract.
The vets recommend feeding them a high-quality vet-recommended diet, avoiding sudden changes in their diet and increasing their water intake if they experience constipation.
Image credit: Shutterstock