Safe Pets, Happy Travels!
Safeguarding Your Pet in Australia
Australia is a country full of animal lovers, with millions of households across the land being home to furry, feathered, and finned friends. Aussies understand that pets are not just animals, but beloved members of the family who bring joy, companionship, and unforgettable moments of pure connection. It’s no surprise that pet ownership is such an important part of Aussie culture.
Whether you’re bringing your pet with you to Australia or thinking of getting a furry friend here, it’s time to consider your pet’s health and safety. With unique challenges and potential dangers, preparation will be vital to protecting your furry friend. In this guide, we’ll explore the best options for bringing your pet to Australia. Let’s uncover the best ways to protect your furry friend.
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Why Do I Need to Protect My Pet?
Protecting your pet is more than just keeping them healthy and happy. A healthy pup or kitty means a happy home and enjoyable time in Australia without having to worry about how you are going to take care of them. Even more importantly, preparation against potential illnesses and injuries will be your greatest weapon in avoiding any nasty surprises that can hurt your pet and your budget.
Even the most experienced pet owners can be in for a shock when they discover the unique Australian dangers that may arise. In an area with such distinctive climates, vast bushland, and an incredible range of varying environments from the ocean to the deserts and the mountains, it’s no surprise that Australia brings a whole new set of dangers to your pets.
Snakes and Spiders and Crocs, Oh My!
Australia may be a wonderland, but it’s not only the scenery that can be breathtaking. Here, it’s not just the busy streets that you need to watch out for – have you heard about the toxic cane toad or the cheeky ticks that roam our backyards? Critters of all shapes and sizes can pose a threat to your beloved pet.
Snakes, particularly the eastern brown snakes, tiger snakes, and even pythons can cause serious harm or fatalities. The same story applies to spiders, such as the red-back spider or the funnel web spider, which are two of the most venomous, with bites occurring most frequently in backyards and bushland areas. Treatment of venomous snake and spider bites consists of compression bandaging to prevent any venom spreading, anti-venom, and intensive veterinary care that must be applied within minutes to hours following a bite for the treatments to work effectively.
Large Australian wildlife can also pose a danger to your pet. Although rare, attacks have occurred from large predators including crocodiles and dingoes. Even though not considered a predator, large male kangaroos are also known to show aggression towards dogs, leading to severe injuries. It is best to keep your pet in a crate or on a leash when travelling through areas with large predators or avoid these areas all together.
Wildlife in Australia bring a whole new menagerie of potential threats to your pet, so adequately preparing them with comprehensive pet insurance is your best bet to keeping your buddy safe.
The Floor is Lava
Something unique to pet care in Australia is keeping your pet safe from our harsh climate. Temperatures in the summer months can range anywhere from 20°C up to 50°C in some regions, so keeping your pet hydrated and cool is crucial.
Always remember to check the ground temperature on roads, footpaths, and other outdoor surfaces before taking your pet out, as burns occur on pet’s feet when owners don’t exercise caution. Your best bet to avoid burning those cute little paws is to avoid walking your pet during the middle of the day during warmer months and wearing protective clothing including dog paw protector shoes.
If you pet shows signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion such as excessive panting or drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or muscle tremors, it is crucial to seek immediate veterinary care. Ensure your pet remains calm and keep them in a cool place with access to drinking water until you can speak with a vet.
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Blooms With Bite
Australia is home to many plant species native to the country that are not only unique, but often spectacularly beautiful. However, like many of Australia’s most fascinating characteristics, our plant life can pose a serious health risk to your pet.
Many native plant species, including the Australian wattle, lilies, and the kangaroo paw, can cause digestive issues, irritation, and in some cases, fatalities. Eucalyptus may be a koala’s favourite snack, but even these nationally loved gum trees can cause serious illnesses for your pets if eaten.
The safest practice is to always supervise pets outside of the house and ensure your yard is free from potentially toxic plants. If your pet does eat a plant, be on the lookout for symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. It is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
Viral Warfare
Australia may be one big island, but there is still the existence of viruses and transmittable illnesses among animals also found elsewhere in the world. Parvovirus, canine distemper virus, and ‘kennel cough’ exist in Australia, and thankfully can be prevented with a vaccine.
You’re thinking surely Australia can’t have any other terrifying threats to my pet? Here’s where giant bats enter the chat. Affectionally known as fruit bats, these large furry bats fill the skies in summer at dusk, searching for a delicious fruity snack. Although these guys are not a direct danger to your pet themselves, they do unfortunately carry a range of lyssaviruses. Even though the risk of contracting the fatal virus is small, it is not impossible.
The safest way to protect your pet against viruses in Australia is to make sure your pet remains up to date with vaccines. In warmer areas, pets should be kept away from bats and other native animals when they are active, especially at nighttime. This will help protect not only your pet but also the native wildlife that can be vulnerable to pet attacks.
Choosing Australian pet insurance that covers vaccine-preventable illnesses is the number one way to ensure the best outcome for your pet should it come in contact with viruses.
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Tiny But Fierce
We’ve already talked about the large wildlife posing a danger, but what about the tiniest critters? Tick bites and fleas pose significant threats to pets in Australia, both in terms of health and comfort. Ticks in Australia can have a variety of effects on your pet, ranging from localised itching and pain, all the way to paralysis. Bites from paralysis ticks can be fatal if not treated immediately by a veterinarian.
Fleas, on the other hand, may seem less menacing but can lead to allergic reactions, skin infections, and anaemia due to blood loss, particularly in young or small pets. To top it off, if fleas are consumed by pets, often during self-grooming, this can lead to a secondary infection of tapeworms, further complicating the health of affected animals.
Both ticks and fleas can be transferred onto your pet in the outdoors, or when in close contact with an animal carrier. Many of Australia’s furry wildlife can carry different subspecies of fleas and ticks including kangaroos and wallabies.
Regular preventative measures such as tick and flea treatments, along with thorough checks after outdoor activities, are crucial to safeguarding pets from these tiny dangers. Your pet insurance should have a comprehensive cover that includes treatment for tick bites, as this intensive treatment can get costly.
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Safe and Sound
Not to worry! There is a solution for keeping your pets safe in Australia
Navigating a new country with your pet may seem daunting, but with the proper protection, you can ensure many happy and safe memories throughout your Australian journey. Here are three of our favourite pet insurance plans that could very well be your solution to keeping your beloved pets safe in Australia.
Best Value – PetsOnMe Classic Plan
PetsOnMe Insurance wants to start off your pet’s Aussie adventure on the right paw by offering you your first month FREE when you sign up. Their mid-level cover Classic Plan offers accident and illness cover, third-party liability, prescribed medication, cruciate ligament treatment, and even hereditary conditions. They will even waive the waiting period if you have held another insurer’s policy for one year or more.
Most Comprehensive – PetsOnMe Deluxe Plan
For that true peace of mind, PetsOnMe offers a Deluxe Plan that not only includes the same medical needs of their classic plan but offers a higher cover rate of hereditary conditions and additional complex dental conditions, including abscesses, cavities, fractures, dental disease, and tooth removal. Similar to their classic plan, PetsOnMe will give you your first month FREE when you sign up for the first time.
Highest Cover – Petsy Top Cover
Not only is Petsy’s Top Cover Plan flexible and tailored to your pet’s needs, they are also very generous with their coverage, offering up to a whopping 90% back, and a benefit limit of $25,000. They even offer a multi-pet discount which is handy for all your furry friends, and you can also request a FREE assessment of pre-existing conditions to see which elements will be covered. Petsy Top Cover offers $0 excess and a no sub limit, making it one of the most hassle-free plans on the market.
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With the right insurance plan, you can have peace of mind knowing that your pet’s medical expenses will be covered in case of emergencies. As always, terms and conditions apply to the above insurance plans, so make sure you follow the links above and consider the product disclosure statement carefully to make sure it’s the right insurance plan for you and your pet. Remember, proactive protection is the key to your pet’s safety in Australia’s diverse environment. By being prepared for the unforeseen, you’re not only safeguarding your furry friend’s health but also providing them with the best chance to thrive in their new Aussie surroundings.
