NZ Blog for Pet Parents | Pet Articles

A gray tabby cat closely observes a lit orange candle, its face illuminated by the candlelight—a reminder that some candles may be toxic to cats or harmful to pets.

Still Using These? They’re More Harmful to Pets Than You’d Think

You’d think pet house candles, a bit of citronella, or even a salt lamp wouldn’t do much harm. They seem harmless enough. But turns out,

A Kiwi woman camping with her dog in a grassy field under the Matariki star cluster

How to Celebrate Matariki with Pets in 2025

Matariki New Year is the perfect time of year for a bit of stargazing. And who better to accompany you under the Matariki star cluster than your loved ones, which of course includes your curious cat or daring dog. (Or both). 1 January is a popular date around the world

In winter, this puppy snuggles under blankets to keep warm.

How to Keep Your Pet Warm When it’s Cold

Whether or not they show it, pets are sensitive to colder weather. We know you want yours to stay healthy and cosy, so we’ve put together some tips on how to keep your pet warm during these chillier months. We also answer questions like do pets get sick in winter

A person enjoys a pack walk, managing five dogs on leashes along a park path, with lush green grass and towering trees visible in the background.

Dog Walking: How Many Dogs Are Too Many?

Should you be allowed to walk as many dogs as you like at once? Many say no. Auckland and Christchurch City Council are in the process of reviewing its dog bylaws, including on the maximum number of dogs you’re allowed to walk at the same time. Dog walking is increasingly

A white poodle with curly fur and a purple collar gazes at the camera, set against a pristine white background. With its bright eyes free from tear stains, the poodle radiates charm and elegance.

Bye-Bye, Eye Gunk! How to Remove Dog Tear Stains

If you’ve noticed tear stains and wondered if your dog’s been crying, you’re not alone. But can dogs 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 cry tears like humans do, or is something else behind those smudgy marks? We’ll walk you through whether dogs shed tears like humans do, plus how to clean dog tear stains

Two older adults sit on grass outdoors, smiling and petting a corgi dog. They are wearing light clothing and sun hats, enjoying time together while considering the cost of owning a dog. Trees and sunlight are visible in the background.

Managing Pet Costs While Giving the Best Care

The cost of owning a dog or cat can add up, to say the least. A PD survey done this year revealed that 53.9% of our members are concerned about the rising costs of pet ownership, with 31.9% saying they’re sometimes concerned. Below we outline the largest costs associated with being

A woman in green scrubs, an adept osteopath, holds a brown and white dog on a table, smiling warmly at it. The dog looks forward, raising one paw as if acknowledging its gentle animal osteopathy session.

Animal Osteopathy: Here’s What You Need To Know

Animal osteopathy—although lesser known about in New Zealand—is a gentle, drug-free approach to helping animals with stiffness, pain or injury. It works alongside medical vet treatments, and is based on the idea that the body can heal itself when it’s in balance. An Osteopath doesn’t just treat symptoms—they look at

A small white chihuahua sits inside a charming wooden dog house kennel on a tiled patio next to a potted plant, showcasing the perfect DIY dog kennel design.

How to Build a Dog Kennel out of Wood (Woof!)🐶

Whether you’re planning a kennel design or figuring out how to make a homemade dog kennel with what you’ve got on hand, it all comes down to giving your dog a safe, comfortable space. Learning how to build a dog kennel out of wood isn’t just practical – it’s a

Small but Spunky! All About the Chihuahua

If you’ve ever met a Chihuahua dog, you know they can be full of personality! From their big, bright eyes ✨ and mischievous grins, to their abundance of energy and love of cuddles, it’s hard not to be charmed by these lovable little pups. And then there’s the fact that

Short Coated Brown Chihuahua with its tongue out, stares ahead.

Why Chihuahuas Get So Angry (And How To Tame Them)

Ah, Chihuahuas. Despite being cute, intelligent, and loving dogs (you’ve seen Beverly Hills Chihuahua, haven’t you?) they can sometimes get really mad. You know what we’re talking about – the toothy snarling, growling, barking and sometimes biting. An angry Chihuahua can get feisty! But how aggressive are these dogs really?

On World Vet Day, a female veterinarian in NZ is carefully examining a dog's head.

8 Reasons to Celebrate World Vet Day 2025

World Vet Day 2025 is all about celebrating the essential health work vets do. Vets in NZ play a crucial role in the human-animal bond by ensuring our companion animals (and farm animals) stay healthy. As we all know, vets also play an enormous role in human health too. For

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