Rebecca Daly BVSc

For a long time, tick paralysis was the main tick-borne disease Australian pet parents had to worry about. Now, there is another deadly tick-borne disease that is becoming a concern in Australia: canine ehrlichiosis.

Mange-causing mites may be microscopic, but they know how to make themselves noticed. They can leave dogs intensely itchy, with inflamed skin and hair loss, and one type can spread to other dogs and people. Learn what causes mange in dogs, which signs to watch for and how your vet can help send these microscopic troublemakers packing.

Tapeworms are quiet stowaways: they can live inside a dog without causing obvious signs. Often, the first clue is a rice-like segment in their poo, bedding or fur. Learn how these unwanted guests get in, what to look for and how treatment and prevention can help show them the door.

Worms are not the kind of guests you want settling in. Puppies can acquire intestinal worms from their mother and their environment. With their developing immune systems, they need more frequent treatment than adult dogs while they are growing.

Regular worming helps protect your puppy and reduces the chance of some parasites spreading to other pets or people. Follow our puppy worming schedule to understand when each dose is due and how to keep these unwanted guests off the list.

Parasites may be small, but the trouble they cause for your cat can be anything but. Regular protection helps keep fleas, ticks and worms off your cat and reduces the risk from parasites that can also affect people.

There is no single product that suits every cat or covers every parasite. This guide compares common options of parasite protection for cats available in Australia, including what they cover, how often they are used and important points to discuss with your vet.

From chasing balls and climbing cat trees to simply getting up for breakfast, healthy muscles help pets move through life with strength and comfort. Helping them feel and function at their best starts with a complete and balanced diet suited to their species, life stage and individual needs that they tolerate well alongside regular, appropriate activity and veterinary care when something doesn’t seem right.

The short answer is that nutrition can support wellbeing, but behaviour is influenced by the whole picture.

Good nutrition fuels every walk, pounce and nap, and it may also support your pet’s energy levels, brain health and overall wellbeing. And we’re not just talking about the “hangry” moments before dinner or the excitement of spotting a full food bowl.

Your pet needs a complete and balanced food appropriate suitable for their species, life stage and individual needs – and one they enjoy and tolerate well. How and when that food is served can also support predictable routines, enrichment and natural behaviours.

Food isn’t a magic solution to behaviour concerns. Health, environment, routine, previous experiences and individual temperament can all influence how a pet behaves. Nutrition works as part of that bigger picture, alongside suitable activity, enrichment, reward-based training and veterinary care when something doesn’t seem right.

When a beloved pet passes away, whether suddenly or expected, saying goodbye can feel overwhelming. Our pets feel like family, so deciding what to do with your pet’s body is one of the most difficult decisions you’ll make. For many pet parents, pet cremation offers a comforting way to honour their life and keep them close.