Zoetis Survey Finds Australian Dog Owners Will Sacrifice Their Morning Coffee for Pet Health — But Routine Prevention Still Falls Short

A Zoetis-commissioned survey reveals that 46 per cent of Australian dog owners would give up takeaway coffee to protect their pets from parasites, yet veterinarians report that year-round prevention remains chronically neglected — a gap that costs animals and owners far more than the treatment it replaces.

Many dog owners profess deep loyalty to their pets, but routine care often falls down when life becomes busy. A Zoetis-commissioned survey found 46 per cent of Australian dog owners would give up takeaway coffee if it meant their animal would never suffer a parasite, yet veterinarians say prevention is still too often neglected.

Dr Chris Ng, a veterinary operations manager at Zoetis Australia, says the problem is that protection is largely invisible when it works. He also points to gaps in awareness, especially around how common parasites are and how quickly lapses can become costly.

Veterinary guidance from PetMD, VCA Animal Hospitals and the University of Sydney supports a year-round approach. Fleas and ticks can cause skin irritation, anaemia and disease, while heartworm, transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal if ignored. Some parasites are also zoonotic, creating a risk for households as well as pets. Tapeworms can spread via fleas or wildlife ingestion.

Ng recommends five basics: consistent parasite control, keeping vaccinations current, managing diet and weight, brushing teeth regularly, and booking annual health checks, or twice yearly for older dogs. He argues that obesity, dental disease and missed vaccinations all raise long-term health costs. The message is simple: prevention is not dramatic, but it is usually cheaper, and kinder, than treatment.