One in 10 Australian pet owners prioritise regular at-home pet health checks or routines, according to new research from Australia’s leading pet insurance underwriter, PetSure.
Aussie pet owners are missing a trick to ensure the health and happiness of their furry loved ones, as new research from PetSure, released alongside PetSure’s Pet Health Monitor 2023 report, reveals just one in 10 prioritise regular at-home pet health checks or routines.
With the data presenting a worrying view of the current landscape, with pet parents prioritising pampering over proactive pet health checks, PetSure is calling on pet parents to do their due diligence – not just for their pets, but for vets across Australia.
Pet owners don’t hold back on splashing the cash when it comes to their furry friends, with $3 billion spent every year on pet toys and accessories in Australia.
Eighty-two per cent of owners spoil their pets with human food, gifts, clothes and toys each month, while a third of those who pamper their pets with spa or beauty spend up to $500 monthly.
Of those who pamper their pets, one in five devote up to five hours a week to pampering, while 65 per cent of pet parents that have an at-home health routine only spend up to an hour a week on pet health checks.
Dr Betty Chan, Vet Advisor at PetSure, said, like many pet owners, vets are animal lovers who want the best for your fur baby, but pet parents must 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,” Dr 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.
“Being financially prepared for pet healthcare costs, such as having a pet insurance policy or savings can be important too, as it means you’ll be empowered to follow the recommended course of treatment and manage veterinary expenses next time you’re at the clinic.”
The Pet Health Monitor 2023 report analyses PetSure claims data to reveal key pet health trends, including insights from the veterinary field, common health conditions for dogs and cats, and tips for proactive pet healthcare.
According to the Pet Health Monitor 2023 report, research shows just a third of respondents can spot signs of stomach or gut issues in their pets, despite gastrointestinal tract infections being cited as one of the top five health conditions for both cats and dogs.
Less than a third of pet parents brush their pet’s teeth each week, despite it being an important way to avoid dental disease and only 36 per cent clean their pets’ ears.
Dr Chan urges pet parents to remember MEOWS – Mishaps, Ears, Oral Hygiene, Weight and Skin.
Mishaps can include broken legs – in 2022, the average cost of a broken rear leg for a cat was $3,805.
To prevent mishaps, ensure your pet is socialised from an early age to prevent fights and bite injuries, secure your property to avoid escapes and secure balconies and windows to avoid any accidental falls.
Ear infections were one of the top five health conditions experienced by dogs in 2022.
To prevent ear infections, clean the ears every week and keep an eye out for signs of an ear infection – if you see your dog shaking their head, scratching their ears, or if you notice any discharge, seek advice from your local veterinarian.
For cats aged three years, the average claimed amount per case for dental disease was $833.
Regularly brush your pet’s teeth to ensure your animal is maintaining good oral hygiene, and consider feeding your pet dental chews, as these can help prevent a build-up of plaque and help keep healthy teeth and gums.
Being overweight can predispose pets to a variety of diseases, including arthritis, cruciate disease and diabetes. In 2022, the average claim cost for cruciate ligament disease was $2,408.
Keep up daily exercise, including walks and at-home play, to help maintain a healthy weight and feed your pet a balanced breed-specific diet – follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging.
Skin allergies were the top health condition for 2022 experienced by dogs, with an average cost of $520 for treatment.
Keep your pet’s skin healthy by staying up to date with flea and tick prevention, regularly brushing your pet’s coat and checking their skin to identify problems early.
