Here's something most Australian pet owners don't think about until it's too late: whether their pet insurance will actually help when they're facing the hardest decision of their lives. You've been paying premiums for years, your beloved companion is suffering, and suddenly you're wondering if you'll need to pay out-of-pocket for their final goodbye. Let me walk you through everything you need to know-not the insurance jargon, but the real answers that matter when it counts... Read more
By Dr Sarah webb - BVSc, registered veterinarian, last updated on 24th September 2026
When a dog dies the house feels exceptionally quiet, from the end of the morning walk, the swish of a tail on the floorboards and the face waiting at the front door, all seemingly at once. It's natural to wonder where dogs go when they die and just as natural to find that there isn't a single answer. This guide gently covers what different faiths and traditions say, what happens to your dog's body, why so many owners feel their dogs are still close, and a few ways to remember your dog... Read more
By Dr Olivia Kappel - BVSc/DVM, registered veterinarian, last updated on 24th September 2026
If you are wondering whether pet euthanasia causes pain, you likely face one of the most demanding days in your pets’ lives. The brief answer is that pet euthanasia is painless when performed properly by a vet. Your pet is sedated first and then injected to put them into a deep sleep before their heart stops... Read more
By Dr. Jessica Goh - BVSc/DVM, registered veterinarian, last updated on 24th September 2026
As pets age, the familiar becomes challenging. Joints stiffen, energy levels drop and stress is harder to deal with. A car ride and a busy waiting room which their dog or cat took in their stride their whole life can prove too much... Read more
By Dr. Jessica Goh - BVSc/DVM, registered veterinarian, last updated on 24th September 2026
Short answer: cat euthanasia in Australia typically costs $200 to $500, at a clinic or at home. Cremation is an extra, from about $100 to $500 depending on whether you want the ashes returned to you. If you can't afford to pay either of those amounts, skip to the section about what to do if you can't afford it... Read more
By Dr Sarah webb - BVSc, registered veterinarian, last updated on 24th September 2026
As a mobile vet, I've had this conversation in hundreds of Australian lounge rooms. Knowing when to put a dog down is one of the hardest decisions an owner ever has to make, and it nearly always begins with a variation of "I don't know if I'm doing this too early" at the front door. Almost nobody asks me if they've left it too late... Read more
By Dr Sarah webb - BVSc, registered veterinarian, last updated on 24th September 2026
Preparing your pet for end of life is something that no pet owner wants to think about. Perhaps your dog has slowed down significantly this year or your cat has developed a condition that is proving to be unmanageable. Thinking about their future now will allow them to pass peacefully and it'll take away that stress of having to make a big decision in the midst of the moment... Read more
By Dr Olivia Kappel - BVSc/DVM, registered veterinarian, last updated on 24th September 2026
For many of us, a pet is considered family. And when the time for a dog, cat or other companion to pass comes, it can be difficult for families to work out how to say goodbye. More and more Australian families are choosing the sanctuary of their own home for this intimate part of the journey, and our vets see this request more and more every week... Read more
By Dr Gayle Kothari - BVSc/DVM, registered veterinarian, last updated on 23rd September 2026
What vaccines does your dog need, when should they get them, and what does the right vaccination schedule look like in Australia?Every dog in Australia should have the C3 core vaccine. A course of 3 to 4 doses is given to puppies and C3 boosters every 3 years with yearly boosters for kennel cough for adult dogs. Extra vaccines such as C5 and leptospirosis are dependent on where your dog will go... Read more
Beyond the Booster: Is Dog Titer Testing a Smarter Way to Manage Your Adult Dog's Immunity?G'day, mate. After 20 years knee-deep in Aussie backyards, clinics, and emergency calls from worried dog owners across Queensland, I've lost count of how many times I've had this chat: "Doc, Blue's 7 now does he really need another C3 booster this year?" We love our dogs fiercely here Down Under, carting them to beaches, barbecues, and the bush. But those puppy shots? They set up immunity that can last years, not months... Read more
