With just one in 10 pet owners practising regular at-home pet health routines, the onus is on industry and veterinarians to educate Australians of the importance of taking action with proactive pet healthcare, according to new research from pet insurance underwriter PetSure.
With pet owners not performing regular at-home pet health routines like brushing their dog’s teeth or applying flea and tick preventatives, PetSure has released its new white paper, the PetSure Pet Health Monitor 2023, that draws on PetSure’s extensive claims data to highlight key pet health trends and costs.
The report also features insights from PetSure’s veterinary advisory board and expert MEOWS tips for proactive pet healthcare.
To encourage Aussies to take action, and to educate pet parents about common health trends and costs, the report reveals the top five conditions faced by dogs and cats based on PetSure claims data for 2022. These are skin allergies, ear infections, arthritis, gastritis and diarrhoea.
With industry research showing veterinary services are the second largest cost for pet owners after food, it’s important for vets to educate clients about potential treatment costs so they are financially prepared.
However, Roy Morgan research reveals that just six per cent of Aussie dog and cat owners have pet insurance, meaning many pet parents may be out of pocket for the full cost of treatment for an unexpected accident or illness. As a result, this could mean some Australians may struggle to afford the recommended course of treatment for their pet.
Research also indicates that difficult financial conversations are a source of stress for vets not only in Australia but worldwide, and this has only been magnified by recent cost of living pressures.
“When speaking to clients, vets should remind pet parents of the different ways they can help support the wellbeing of their pet and address issues early on—whether that’s through simple routines at home like checking for ticks or weighing their pet or by visiting the clinic for regular check-ups,” PetSure vet advisor Dr Betty Chan said.
“As vets, we often face difficult financial conversations with clients so we hope the research report will serve as a guide to help vets educate pet parents about common health conditions and associated costs, to encourage clients to be financially prepared so they can focus on what matters—getting the best possible care for their pet.
“It’s also important for vets to educate clients about the signs of common pet health conditions their pet may be predisposed to, so they know when they may need to have their pet examined. Early intervention is key for vets and pet parents to work together to achieve better pet healthcare outcomes,” Dr Chan added.
