What do I need before bringing a pet home?+
Essentials: food and water bowls, food (transition to new food over 7-10 days), bed/crate, toilet area (puppy pads or litter tray), collar with ID tag + harness, lead, toys, pet-safe wipes. Before arrival, lock away electrical cords, toxic plants (lilies are fatal to cats), chocolate, grapes and onions.
Where should I adopt or buy from?+
Prefer shelters such as RSPCA Queensland or the Animal Welfare League — thousands of dogs and cats in Brisbane wait for homes every year. If you want a purebred, choose a local registered breeder (RPBA / Dogs Queensland registered). Avoid pet-shop window puppies and overseas imported pets. Always ask for health records and vaccination history.
What about the first week at home?+
Give them a quiet corner to settle; don't invite visitors or give a bath straight away. Feed at the same times and on the same food as before — transition to new food over 7 days. Puppies sleep 18-20 hours a day, so don't disturb them. Watch appetite, stool and energy; call a vet if anything is off.
How do vaccinations work?+
Puppies: C5 (DHPPi + kennel cough) at 6-8, 10 and 16 weeks, then annual boosters. Kittens: F3 at 8 and 12 weeks, then annual boosters. Australia is rabies-free, so domestic pets do not need rabies vaccination. Until fully vaccinated, avoid dog parks and pet shops — parvovirus and distemper are still circulating in Brisbane parks.
When should I desex my pet?+
Usually around 6 months, before the first season. For large breeds (golden retrievers, Labradors), orthopaedic vets often recommend waiting until 12-18 months for bone maturity. Desexing significantly reduces pyometra, testicular and mammary cancer risk, and reduces roaming and aggression.
How often do puppies and kittens eat?+
2-3 months: 3-4 times a day; 4-6 months: 3 times; 6-12 months: twice; adults: once or twice. Kittens follow the same small-and-frequent pattern. Scheduled meals are better than free-feeding — they control weight and make appetite changes obvious.
How do I train toilet habits?+
Puppies will need to go 15 minutes after eating, waking or playing — take them to the same spot immediately and reward wildly. Never punish accidents — they won't connect it, only fear you. Puppies usually master it by 4-6 months; at night they may still need a break. For cats, put the litter tray in a quiet spot and don't change the litter in the first week.
When should training and socialisation start?+
The first 12 weeks are the critical socialisation window. After the second vaccine, introduce your puppy to different people, sounds, surfaces and calm dogs — this shapes adult temperament. Basic cues (sit, stay, come) can start from 8 weeks with short 5-minute treat sessions. Cats don't need obedience training, but gentle handling at 2-7 weeks determines how affectionate they are as adults.
How often should I bathe my pet?+
Dogs every 4-8 weeks, or when dirty / after swims. Over-bathing strips skin oils. Cats rarely need a bath unless they get into something toxic. Always use pet-specific shampoo — human shampoo pH does not suit animal skin.
What annual medical care is routine?+
Annual vaccination booster + full health check + year-round heartworm prevention (monthly) + year-round flea and tick prevention (monthly) + annual faecal test. Seniors over 7 should have a check-up every six months — one of their years equals 4-5 human years.
What are the adult daily care basics?+
Brush teeth 2-3 times a week (pet toothpaste), trim nails every 3-4 weeks, check ears weekly. Dogs need 1-2 walks a day (30 min for small dogs, 1+ hour for medium/large). Indoor cats need 15-20 minutes of interactive play daily to prevent obesity. Weight is the key health marker — ribs should be felt but not seen.
Is pet insurance worth it?+
A single emergency vet visit in Brisbane can cost $1,500-$3,000, and surgery or hospitalisation easily exceeds $10,000. Insure before age 3 — pre-existing conditions are excluded. Look for 80% payout, 14-day waiting period and lifetime renewal. Knose, Bow Wow Meow and Petsy are popular with local families. See our [insurance comparison] section.
What warrants an emergency vet visit immediately?+
Vomiting or diarrhoea for over 24 hours, refusing food or water, difficulty breathing, stumbling or circling, pale or purple gums, seizures, ingestion of chocolate/grapes/lilies/toxins, after a tick bite, or any heatstroke sign. For 24-hour emergency care in Brisbane, look for Animal Emergency Service (Moorooka HQ and branches).
How should care change for seniors (7+)?+
Switch to a senior diet (low phosphorus, lower fat) and add glucosamine and Omega-3 joint supplements. Walks should be shorter and more frequent; avoid intense jumping. Check-up every six months — monitor blood pressure, kidneys and heart. Cats are seniors from 11, dogs from 7 (large breeds from 5). A sudden increase in water drinking may be an early sign of kidney disease or diabetes.