MEDIA ALERT: New research reveals the pet health routine that's quietly slipping
Zoetis Australia
A border collie playing tug with their owner (supplied by Zoetis Australia)
Interview opportunities with high profile talent
THE STORY SNAPSHOT
New national research reveals a disconnect in how Australian dog owners think about love and health. While 86% say health-related behaviours are one of the key ways they show their dog love, nearly half (47%) still hesitate to give their dog routine parasite treatment.1
Roughly four in five (83%) say they’d be willing to give up on certain lifestyle comforts if it meant their dog could never get parasites, confirming strong understanding of the damage parasites can cause to dogs’ health. However, there’s a disconnect between intention and action.1
As dogs become increasingly embedded in family life, from couch cuddles to weekend outings, experts say parasite prevention should be treated as part of everyday pet health care, not an afterthought.
The changing climate and other factors allow parasites to thrive for longer periods and in new geographical areas, so routine parasite protection is more important than ever.2
There are several options when it comes to parasiticide treatments, including injections, topical spot-ons and – most popular – easy-to-give flavoured oral tablets, like Simparica Trio®.
In Australia, dogs can be exposed to a variety of external and internal parasites, with many dogs acquiring some type of parasite in their lifetime.1,3 Importantly, the survey reveals that experience and exposure alone do not guarantee a strong understanding of best practice when it comes to parasite prevention.1
AVAILABLE TALENT
2026 Married at First Sight celebrities and pet owners
Stella Mickunaite, MAFS bride and dog mum - ‘I can’t walk past a dog without giving a pat’. Recently rescued a dog off the streets in Sydney and now creating a loving and safe home for him.
Grayson McIvor, recruitment business owner and proud dog owner of 11-year-old labradoodle, Champ – understands why caring for a dog’s health is such a meaningful expression of love.
Expert talent
Dr Evan Shaw, veterinarian with special interest in parasite protection.
Mel Mozzley, a highly experienced Emergency and Critical Care with 20 years of hands-on exposure to consequences of parasites in dogs.
KEY ANGLES TO EXPLORE
How do we show love to pets: Why caring for a dog’s health is becoming one of the clearest expressions of love, beyond treats, cuddles and sleeping on the bed.
Pet health routines: How humanising our dogs may get in the way of keeping up with best practice pet health routines
Real-world consequences: What vets and emergency care teams see when parasite risks are underestimated, including ticks, fleas, worms and heartworm. Including potential consequences for human’s health.
Practical prevention: How owners can speak with their vet about the right parasite prevention routine for their dog’s age, lifestyle, location and exposure risk.
Busy owner routines: How dog owners can keep pet care habits simple around work, travel and everyday chaos.
Family and parenting angle: Kids, dogs’ health and the small health signs adults can miss, where vets can unpack why kids are often the first ones to notice early signs of family dogs getting unwell.
