Vaccination schedules

Vaccinations protect your pet from serious, preventable diseases. In Australia, the core vaccines for dogs cover distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus (the C3 vaccine), with optional protection against kennel cough (Bordetella) and leptospirosis. Cats require the F3 vaccine covering feline enteritis, herpesvirus and calicivirus, plus optional cover for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia.

Puppies and kittens need a primary course starting at 6–8 weeks, followed by boosters at 10–12 weeks and 14–16 weeks. Adult pets require annual or triennial boosters depending on the vaccine type — your vet will advise a schedule suited to your pet's lifestyle and risk profile.

Parasite prevention

Fleas

Australia's warm climate makes year-round flea prevention essential. A single flea can lay 50 eggs per day; infestations spread quickly through the home. Monthly spot-on treatments, oral tablets or flea collars from your vet are the most effective options. Avoid supermarket brands — many are less effective and some contain permethrins that are toxic to cats.

Ticks

The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is found along the eastern seaboard and can be fatal. Check your pet daily during tick season (spring and summer), especially around the head, neck and between toes. Chewable tick preventatives (such as Nexgard or Bravecto) offer the most reliable protection. If you find a tick, remove it immediately with a tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers, and monitor your pet for weakness, wobbling or difficulty breathing.

Intestinal worms

Puppies and kittens should be treated for worms every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old, then monthly until 6 months, then every 3 months for life. Use a broad-spectrum wormer covering roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm. Heartworm prevention (separate to intestinal wormers) is also recommended in many parts of Australia — ask your vet about monthly tablets or an annual injection.

Dental health

Dental disease affects over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over three years of age. Left untreated, bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and damage the heart, kidneys and liver. Brush your pet's teeth daily with a pet-safe toothpaste (never use human toothpaste — xylitol is toxic to dogs). Dental chews, water additives and raw meaty bones can supplement brushing but are not a substitute.

Annual professional dental cleans under anaesthesia are recommended for most pets from middle age onwards.

When to see a vet

Contact your vet promptly if your pet shows any of the following:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours
• Refusal to eat for more than 24 hours (cats: 12 hours)
• Difficulty breathing, excessive coughing or wheezing
• Sudden lethargy or collapse
• Straining to urinate or defecate, or blood in urine/faeces
• Seizures, disorientation or sudden changes in behaviour
• Suspected ingestion of a toxic substance
• Eye or ear discharge with odour or redness

For non-urgent concerns, aim for an annual wellness check even if your pet seems healthy — vets can detect early-stage disease long before symptoms appear.

Pet mental health

Mental wellbeing is as important as physical health. Dogs are social animals that suffer from boredom and isolation; cats need environmental enrichment and vertical spaces to feel secure. Signs of stress include destructive behaviour, excessive vocalisation, hiding, aggression, or changes in appetite.

Enrichment activities — puzzle feeders, training sessions, play, and social contact — significantly reduce anxiety. For persistent anxiety or behaviour changes, consult a vet to rule out medical causes before seeking a certified animal behaviourist.