Sponsored by Zoetis
Simon Webster
A lot of people would do anything for their dog. Ask them what they’d sacrifice for their pooch’s health, and it seems there are almost no limits: 46 per cent of Australian dog owners say they would give up takeaway coffee if it meant their dog would never get a parasite, according to a recent survey conducted for animal health company, Zoetis.
And when an Australian says they’d give up coffee for someone, that’s true love.
Yet our actions don’t always match our words. Many dog owners overlook basic health routines, says vet Dr Chris Ng, a veterinary operations manager at Zoetis Australia.
“It is something I witnessed regularly in clinical practice,” Ng says. “Many dog owners come to us with the very best intentions, but life gets busy, and preventative health care is often the first thing to slip when routines are disrupted.”
Part of the problem is that prevention is invisible, he adds. When it works, nothing bad happens, so owners don’t always see the benefit.
“There’s also an awareness gap around how frequently parasites and other threats affect dogs, even healthy-looking ones. Cost is a factor, too, but prevention is almost always far less costly – both financially and emotionally – than treating a disease.”
For many dog owners, the issue is simply that they don’t have a clear, structured plan to follow. But if you want such a plan, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five simple steps to prevent many problems and catch others early.
1. Prevent parasites
What: There are many options for parasite control to suit different dogs, owners and lifestyles, from spot-ons to tasty chewables – like Simparica Trio® – which protects against fleas, ticks and heartworm. “No single product covers every parasite. Your vet can help you understand what different products cover to ensure we don’t leave any gaps. The key is not which options you choose but finding a routine that works for you and doing it consistently,” Ng says.
Why: Parasites can cause harm all year round, Ng says. Fleas can cause skin disease, ticks can cause illness or paralysis and heartworm can be fatal. “Some are zoonotic, meaning humans can also catch them, posing a risk to your whole family,” he says. “Lapsed prevention leaves your dog and household vulnerable.”
2. Keep up with vaccinations
What: It’s essential you keep core vaccines (parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis) up to date, plus supplementary vaccines (kennel cough and leptospirosis) where relevant, according to your vet’s advice.
Why: “Some of these diseases can be fatal. Parvovirus is a common infection that has a very high mortality rate in unvaccinated dogs. Lapses in vaccination leave your dog at serious risk.”
3. Manage their food and weight
What: Feed a nutritionally complete diet in correct portions, monitor your dog’s body condition score regularly, and discuss any dietary concerns with your vet, Ng advises. Weight checks can be done at home or during vet visits.
Why: “Obesity significantly increases the risk of osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart disease and cancer, and shortens life expectancy. I have seen many dogs whose quality of life improved dramatically once their weight was managed.”
4. Don’t forget dental hygiene
What: Ng recommends brushing your dog’s teeth with a soft brush and a dog-specific toothpaste (not a human one) once or twice a day. You can also give them dental chews for dogs (follow your vet’s advice regarding these), and ask your vet to conduct a dental inspection when you take your dog in for a general check-up (see below).
Why: “Dental disease causes pain and tooth loss, and untreated oral bacteria can damage the heart, kidneys and liver. Dogs rarely show obvious signs of dental pain.”
5. Take them for regular health checks
What: Take your dog to the vet at least once a year (twice a year for older dogs), for a physical exam covering eyes, teeth, heart, joints and overall wellbeing, Ng tips.
Why: “Dogs are stoic creatures and often early signs of disease are subtle. Conditions like osteoarthritis, skin conditions and dental disease are far easier to manage when caught early. Skipping health checks at the vet means problems are often only discovered once advanced and more costly to treat.”
A good preventive health routine doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be consistent.
According to Ng, tailoring the right plan to your furry best friend’s age, breed and lifestyle is essential to saving lives and avoiding costly medical treatments before problems arise — a strategy supported by the entire veterinary community.
Ready to winter-proof your pet’s health? Find out which parasites your dog needs protection from by using this simple parasite assessment tool
*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov plc. Total sample size was 1000 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken online between March 13 and 18, 2026. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian dog owners aged 18 and over.
