Pet parenting mistakes to avoid

This article provides general information only and doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Please read the relevant PDS. Accurate as at 6 November 2026.

There’s no such thing as a perfect pet parent. We’re all learning as we go, and if you’re reading this, chances are you’re already doing your best to get things right.

The truth is, most pet parenting mistakes come from good intentions or simply not knowing something, rather than a lack of care. And the good news? Once you know what to look out for, they’re often easy to avoid.

Here are eight common pet parenting mistakes, along with a few simple ways to avoid them.

Table of contents

• 1. Overfeeding and too many treats
• 2. Skipping enrichment
• 3. Using punishment to train
• 4. Not enough exercise
• 5. Skipping preventative vet care
• 6. Leaving pets alone too long
• 7. Letting ID and microchip details lapse
• 8. Not planning for unexpected vet costs

1. Overfeeding and too many treats

It’s hard to resist those pleading eyes when your pet’s watching you eat. Giving them a little extra food can feel like a way to show your love, so it’s an easy habit to slip into.

But those extra treats can quickly add up. For both cats and dogs, overfeeding can contribute to pets becoming overweight or obese, which can negatively affect their health and wellbeing. Obesity can lead to serious health problems, including heart failure and diabetes, if it’s not addressed early.

What to do instead:

• Keep treats as an occasional extra. Treats and other foods shouldn’t make up the main part of a cat’s diet, and the RSPCA suggests limiting commercial dog treats to a small treat once or twice a week.
• Remember that food used for enrichment, like puzzle feeders, counts towards your pet’s daily food allowance.
• Ask your vet to weigh your pet and check their body condition. They can also help you work out how much to feed them.

2. Skipping enrichment

We tend to think about the essentials first: food, water, walks. But keeping your pet’s mind busy is just as easy to overlook.

That’s where enrichment comes in. It’s all about stimulating activities that engage your pet’s mind, body and senses, while supporting their overall wellbeing and giving them opportunities to express natural behaviours, like sniffing, playing, and exploring. It’s also linked to reduced stress, anxiety, improved resilience, and fewer boredom-related behaviours.

And you don’t need to spend a fortune to make it fun. Here are a few ideas:

• Make a snuffle mat from old towels or T-shirts.
• Try scatter feeding or a treasure hunt with hidden treats.
• Turn a toilet roll or muffin tin into a DIY puzzle feeder.
• Mix up their toys now and then. Offering the same toys over and over can make enrichment less effective.
• Teach your pet simple skills or tricks while spending quality time together.

Whatever activities you choose, make sure they are safe and appropriate for your pet.

The key is finding what works for your pet, because enrichment is most effective when it suits their individual needs.

3. Using punishment to train

When your pet does something they shouldn’t, it can be tempting to tell them off. But punishment isn’t the answer.

The RSPCA is clear that aversive and punishment-based training methods must not be used when training animals, including cats and dogs. Current scientific evidence does not support the effectiveness of these methods, and their use can make unwanted behaviours worse, damage your relationship and compromise your pet’s welfare.

Instead, the RSPCA recommends reward-based training, which uses positive reinforcement to reward the desired behaviours you want to encourage, increasing the likelihood that your pet will repeat them. Reward-based training can also help strengthen the bond you share with your pet.

4. Not enough exercise

Just like us, our pets need regular activity to support their health and wellbeing.

Most dogs need exercise at least once a day. And while letting them run free can be tempting, off-leash exercise should only happen where safe and permitted, and only once your dog has mastered recall and reliably comes back when called.

Cats also need regular opportunities to exercise. Play that encourages natural behaviours such as stalking, pouncing, exploring, climbing, and scratching can help keep them active. Regular play sessions, ideally around the same time each day, can help provide these opportunities.

Not sure how much exercise is right for your pet? Your vet can help you work it out.

5. Skipping preventative vet care

‘They seem fine’ is something many pet parents have said at one point or another. And when life gets busy, it’s easy for routine vet visits to slip down the to-do list.

But regular check-ups can help catch potential health problems early. The RSPCA recommends taking your pet to the vet once every six months, or as often as your vet recommends based on their individual needs. During these visits, chat with your vet about flea, tick and worm prevention, vaccinations, dental health, as well as desexing if your pet isn’t already desexed.

And if something doesn’t seem quite right between visits, don’t wait until their next check-up. Have a chat with your vet as soon as possible.

6. Leaving pets alone too long

Some pets cope with time alone better than others. While it’s important for your pet to gradually learn to cope with being home alone for periods of time when needed, pets shouldn’t routinely be left alone for long periods of time without appropriate care. How long your pet can comfortably spend alone will depend on their individual needs, but it is generally recommended that pets are not left for more than four hours at a time.

Pets also differ in their social needs and relationships. Some may form strong bonds with people or other animals in the household, while others may prefer more space or not to live with another pet. The important thing is to consider your individual pet’s social and behavioural needs and provide appropriate opportunities for positive social interaction.

Whether you have a cat or a dog, think about what they need while you’re away. Depending on your pet this may include:

• Giving them appropriate exercise, play or interaction before you leave.
• Providing safe enrichment, such as food-filled toys or hidden food to find.
• Making sure they have a safe, comfortable environment and everything they need while you’re away.
• Asking a trusted friend, neighbour or family member to check on them and provide company or care, where appropriate.
• Arranging for a pet sitter or, for dogs, a reputable dog walker or doggy day care, where appropriate.

And if you’re heading away overnight or for longer, make sure your pet is in good hands. That could mean arranging for a house or pet sitter, asking someone you trust to care for them, or booking them into a boarding facility.

7. Letting ID and microchip details lapse

Getting your pet microchipped is a great way to help them find their way home if they ever go missing. But remembering to keep those details up to date? That’s the part that can easily slip your mind.

Microchipped pets are much more likely to be reunited with their owners if they get lost, provided the chip is registered and the contact details are current. So, whenever you move house or change your phone number, remember to update your pet’s microchip details, too.

For both cats and dogs, a collar with an identification tag can provide an additional way for someone to contact you if your pet becomes lost. For cats, the RSPCA also recommends using a quick-release collar with a tag. Remember to keep any identification details, including your local council registration details, up to date.

8. Not planning for unexpected vet costs

No matter how well you care for your pet, you can’t always predict what’s around the corner. Accidents and illnesses can happen when you least expect them, and the vet bills that come with them can catch you off guard. That’s why it helps to plan ahead. Pet insurance can help cover some unexpected vet costs, so you can focus on looking after your pet.

With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can customise your pet’s cover to suit their needs and your budget. Plus, every policy helps support vital RSPCA animal welfare initiatives, including the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of animals in need.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

 

References

[1] RSPCA Australia. What should I feed my cat? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/caring-for-my-cat/what-should-i-feed-my-cat

[2] RSPCA Australia. What should I know before feeding dog treats? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/what-should-i-know-before-feeding-dog-treats

[3] RSPCA Australia. How do I tell if my dog is overweight? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/how-do-i-tell-if-my-dog-is-overweight

[4] RSPCA Australia. How can I create low-cost DIY enrichment for my cat or dog? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/how-can-i-create-low-cost-diy-enrichment-for-my-cat-or-dog

[5] RSPCA Australia. Why is enrichment important for dogs? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/why-is-enrichment-important-for-dogs

[6] RSPCA Australia. Is it important to train my dog? What sort of training would you recommend? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/training/is-it-important-to-train-my-dog-what-sort-of-training-would-you-recommend

[7] RSPCA Australia. What is reward-based dog training and why does the RSPCA support it? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/training/what-is-reward-based-dog-training-and-why-does-the-rspca-support-it

[8] RSPCA Australia. Can you give me some advice on caring for my dog? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/can-you-give-me-some-advice-on-caring-for-my-dog

[9] RSPCA Australia. How can I be a responsible cat owner? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/general/how-can-i-be-a-responsible-cat-owner

[10] RSPCA Australia. What can I do if my dog is anxious when I’m not at home? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/behaviour/what-can-i-do-if-my-dog-is-anxious-when-im-not-at-home

[11] RSPCA Australia. Why is it important to ensure my pet is microchipped? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/why-is-it-important-to-ensure-my-pet-is-microchipped

[12] RSPCA Australia. RSPCA Policy A8 Housing and environmental needs of companion animals. RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/rspca-policy/a-companion-animals/rspca-policy-a8-housing-and-environmental-needs-of-companion-animals