Keeping your Cats and Dogs Safe with Vaccinations
Vaccinating our cats & dogs in Australia is essential for protecting them against a range of infectious and potentially fatal diseases. It helps prevent outbreaks, safeguards the wider community, and can reduce veterinary costs by avoiding the need for treatment of preventable illnesses. When our pets are vaccinated, they can enjoy public spaces, travel, and stay at boarding facilities without worry, giving owners greater peace of mind.
If you’re ever uncertain about which vaccines your furry friend needs, your veterinarian is there to help create a tailored vaccination plan that considers their species, breed, age, lifestyle, and the specific disease risks in your local area. Visit your local vet clinic for more information.
Pets and Fireworks
Tips to help your pet avoid Fireworks frights:
- Take your dog for a nice long walk on the day of the fireworks. This way they will not have as much excess energy to be anxious or excited
- If you know your pet is afraid of loud noises, make them a safe place inside (away from large windows) to sleep. Perhaps even have a radio playing to dim the noise of fireworks
- Close your blinds or curtains and leave the lights on so the noise and flashing of fireworks does not distress your pet
- If your pet is an inside pet, leave the radio or television turned on so that it may dim the noise of fireworks
- Make it business as usual and don’t make a fuss. The last thing you want to do is reinforce scared/timid behaviour
- Try to distract your pet with toys, bones or treats during firework displays if they have to be outside
- Consider a trainer to assist in training your dog so they are less frightened every time there is a loud noise
- If you have to leave your pet outside, make sure that all gates are secure and locked
- Contact your Vet for any further information or concerns you may have about your pet.
Pets in Heat
The RSPCA and Wyndham City urge pet owners not to leave their animal in locked vehicles or on the back of a utility without adequate shade, shelter and water. Animals left in these conditions can quickly suffer from severe dehydration and heat exhaustion.
If you know that you will most likely be away from your pet, it is much better to leave an animal at home where they are comfortable and have access to water.
Handy Tips:
If your cats or dogs are outside ensure there is plenty of fresh clean water available to them. Put extra buckets or bowls out on those especially hot days in case they spill or knock them over. If possible, have your pets inside on extreme hot days. If not, make sure they have plenty of shady places out of direct sunlight to seek refuge during the heat. Cats feel the heat the same as dogs.
- Don’t forget your pocket pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, birds etc. They feel the heat a little more than larger pets so these animals should be inside during hot day and make sure their cages are not near a window in direct sunlight.
- Walk your dog in the cool of the day especially on very hot days. Remember, if the pavement is too hot it could easily burn your dog’s pad causing serious injury.
- Do not leave your dog in a vehicle. As the same with children, dogs can overheat in a matter of minutes causing irreversible brain damage or in extreme cases death.
- Some warning signs of heat stress in animals include excessive panting and drooling, vomiting, collapse, shaking and feeling hot to touch. If you believe your pet may be suffering heat stress it is important to contact a vet and try to cool the animal down.
- A water bowl placed under a tree or bush somewhere can also provide a haven for small wildlife animals such as birds.