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A trusted hub for you & your pet, All in one place

Your go-to resource for pet care tips, health advice, and wellness insights. Discover helpful guides, expert knowledge, and the latest blogs and articles, all designed to support you and your pet every step of the way.

  • Trusted by 50,000+ Aussie pet owners
  • Written by qualified pet insurance specialists
  • Expert-reviewed content
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Tail talk for pet care

Pet Insurance Pre-existing conditions: How we used to deal with them vs now

WRITTEN BY ANNIE HUYNH • MAY 28, 2026

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BY ANNIE HUYNH • APRIL 13, 2026
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Compare Pet Insurance: Choose the right pet insurance policy for your pet in 2026

BY ANNIE HUYNH • APRIL 13, 2026
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Pet Insurance Reviews: What to Know Before You Choose a pet insurance policy in 2026

BY ANNIE HUYNH • APRIL 13, 2026
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Cheap Pet Insurance in Australia: How to make Pet Insurance more affordable in 2026.

BY ANNIE HUYNH • APRIL 13, 2026
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FEATURED

Sarcoptic Mange in Pets

Sarcoptic mange in pets is a highly contagious skin condition that affects both dogs and cats. Also known as scabies, this parasitic infection is caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the outer layers of…

WRITTEN BY NICOLE LEE • JANUARY 30, 2026
READ THE FULL GUIDE
Sarcoptic Mange in Pets

Pet care articles

Explore all our pet care articles, featuring trusted advice on pet health, wellness, and daily care. Our guides are designed to support pet parents at every stage—from routine care to unexpected health concerns.

Essential pet care resources

Find essential pet care resources, including practical guides and checklists to support everyday care, emergency planning, and confident decision-making.

Emergency warning signs

10 symptoms that require immediate vet attention

Download PDF

Toxic foods list

Complete guide to foods dangerous for dogs and cats

view list

Vaccination schedule

Age-specific vaccine timeline for puppies and kittens

Download schedule

Emergency warning signs

10 symptoms that require immediate vet attention

Download PDF

Trusted voice behind the info

Every article is written and reviewed by our experienced professionals, so you can trust the
information you read when it comes to pet care, health, and everyday wellbeing for you pet.

Cindy Du

Veterinary bioscience consultant and pet lover

Cindy combines her love for animals with engaging content, turning complex veterinary advice into practical tips for pet parents.

More info
Annie Huynh

Pet care consultant & professional
content Writer

Translating complex insurance terms into clear, actionable advice that helps pet parents make informed coverage decisions.

More info
Cindy Du

Veterinary bioscience consultant and pet lover

Cindy combines her love for animals with engaging content, turning complex veterinary advice into practical tips for pet parents.

More info
Annie Huynh

Pet care consultant & professional
content Writer

Translating complex insurance terms into clear, actionable advice that helps pet parents make informed coverage decisions.

More info
meet our expert authors

Pet care FAQ

Puppies/Kittens (under 1 year): Every 3-4 weeks for vaccinations then at 6 months and 
12 months
Adult pets (1-7 years): Annual wellness check-up minimum
Senior pets (7+ years): Every 6 months for early detection of age-related conditions
Anytime your pet shows symptoms: Don’t wait for scheduled visits if you notice behaviour changes, appetite loss, or physical symptoms

Read our: Complete Vet Visit Guide

Watch for these urgent symptoms:

🚨 Immediate vet care needed:

Difficulty breathing or excessive panting
Collapse or inability to stand
Seizures or loss of consciousness
Severe bleeding or trauma
Bloated, hard stomach (especially large dogs)
Heatstroke symptoms
Toxin ingestion

⚠️ Same-day vet visit recommended:

Vomiting or diarrhea (especially with blood)
Loss of appetite for 24+ hours
Lethargy or weakness
Blood in urine
Eye injuries or sudden blindness
Excessive thirst or urination

Download Emergency Symptoms Checklist

Use the “Rib Test”:

1. Run your hands along your pet’s sides
2. You should be able to FEEL the ribs without pressing hard
3. You should NOT see the ribs prominently (too thin)
4. You should NOT have to press through a layer of fat (overweight)

Visual check:

Dogs: Should have a visible waist when viewed from above and a tuck-up in the abdomen when viewed from the side
Cats: Should have a slight abdominal tuck; spine should be easily felt but not visible

Weight issues affect:

56% of Australian dogs are overweight or obese
60% of Australian cats are overweight or obese

Use Our Interactive Weight Calculator
Read Healthy Weight Guide by Breed

DOGS – Core vaccines (all dogs need):

Canine Parvovirus – Every 3 years after initial series
Canine Distemper – Every 3 years after initial series
Canine Hepatitis – Every 3 years after initial series

DOGS – Non-core vaccines (based on lifestyle/risk):

Kennel Cough (Bordetella) – Annual for social dogs
Leptospirosis – Annual in high-risk areas

CATS – Core vaccines (all cats need):

Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia) – Every 3 years
Feline Calicivirus – Every 3 years
Feline Herpesvirus – Every 3 years

CATS – Non-core vaccines (outdoor/multi-cat households):

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) – Annual for at-risk cats

Download Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Download Kitten Vaccination Schedule

START IMMEDIATELY (from 6-8 weeks):

Week 6-8: 

First vet wellness check
Deworming treatment
First round of vaccinations
Flea and tick prevention discussion

Week 10-12:
Second round of vaccinations
Microchipping
Pet insurance enrollment (best rates for young pets)

Week 14-16:
Third round of vaccinations
Discuss desexing timeline

Month 6:
Desexing (spay/neuter) – discuss optimal timing with vet
Dental care routine established
Final puppy/kitten vaccination

Ongoing:
Monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
3-month worming treatments
Annual health checks
Dental cleanings as recommended

Early start = Lifetime benefits:
Prevents 90% of common preventable diseases
Reduces lifetime vet costs by up to 60%
Establishes good habits and vet comfort

Download Complete Puppy Care Timeline
Download Complete Kitten Care Timeline

🚫 NEVER feed your pet:

HIGHLY TOXIC (can be fatal):

Chocolate (all types – darker = more dangerous)
Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some peanut butters)
Grapes and raisins
Onions, garlic, chives, leeks
Macadamia nuts
Alcohol
Caffeine
Raw yeast dough

DANGEROUS (can cause serious illness):

Avocado
Raw meat and eggs (salmonella risk)
Bones (cooked – can splinter)
Fatty foods (pancreatitis risk)
Salt in large quantities
Moldy foods

CAT-SPECIFIC DANGERS:

Lilies (all parts – extremely toxic)
Essential oils
Raw fish
Milk and dairy (most cats are lactose intolerant)

DOG-SPECIFIC DANGERS:

Hops
Wild mushrooms
Green tomatoes and potatoes

Download Complete Toxic Foods List

Keep your pet healthy and protected with Petsy

Petsy is a trusted pet insurance provider chosen by Australian pet parents for flexible, reliable cover. With no lifetime claim limits, up to 80% back on eligible vet bills, and fast claims processing—often within 48 hours—Petsy makes managing pet care costs simpler. The direct-to-vet payment option helps reduce upfront expenses, so you can focus on your pet’s wellbeing.

Even with the best preventive care, accidents and illnesses can happen. Petsy Pet Insurance ensures you can always say “yes” to the care your pet needs—without the financial stress.

  • Accidents & injuries
  • Emergency care
  • Illness & conditions
  • Surgery & specialists
  • Optional dental illness
GET your free QUOTE
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Specified Conditions includes:

  • Cruciate ligament damage
  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Patella luxation
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Cherry eye
  • Entropion
  • Ectropion,
  • Osteochondritis dissecans (‘OCD’)
  • Lumps

Lumps means the protuberance or localised area of swelling or unusual growth that can occur anywhere on or in the body including tumours, warts, cysts, growths, mucoceles, haematomas and abscesses.

You can apply to reduce the 6-month exclusion period for Specified Conditions by using our request for Waiver Form. Simply take this form to your next vet visit and submit the completed form back to [email protected] within 14 days of the visit.

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Optional Extra Benefits

During the application process You will be provided with the option to include Optional Extra Benefits that cover certain conditions and Treatments which are not otherwise covered under the Policy.

The Optional Extra Benefits are:

Alternative Therapies, Behavioural Problems, and Dental Illness.

Examples of Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy.

Examples of Behavioural Problems: Excessive licking, fur pulling, pacing and destructive chewing.

Examples of Dental Illnesses: Dental diseases, gingivitis, periodontal disease.