Anastassia Meeran With Mental Health Awareness Week taking place from 12-18 October, research from PD Insurance reveals just how deeply New Zealanders believe their pets contribute to their happiness, wellbeing and sense of connection. PD Insurance’s Human-Pet Bond Survey, which gathered 1,840 responses from Kiwi pet owners, found an overwhelming 99.7% said their pets make their lives … Read more
Desexing your dog – also known as spaying or neutering a dog – is a big decision. It has plenty of benefits for pets, but there are also some potential mental and physical health drawbacks to know about. With the review of New Zealand’s 1996 Dog Control Act in the spotlight, the question of whether … Read more
Spring may bring longer days and the first signs of warmer weather, but for pets it can also bring a sharp spike in allergic reactions. PD Insurance claims data reveals allergic reaction claims surged approximately 182% from winter to spring in 2025, with spring recording nearly three times as many allergic reactions as winter. The … Read more
Renting with a pet? Since 1 December 2025, NZ landlords can no longer impose blanket “no pets” rules — only knock-backs on “reasonable grounds.” Landlords can also now charge a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent to cover potential damage, giving them extra peace of mind to say yes. Pet-friendly rentals have nearly … Read more
If you’re searching for a dog or cat dad Father’s Day gift in NZ, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 10 gifts for pet lovers that any dad (or grandad) can enjoy. Father’s Day in NZ is the perfect time to gift wrap some new gadgets for dads and grandads. Of … Read more
With the ban on Greyhound racing in NZ now in effect, somewhat 1,300 dogs need to be rehomed. So how about adopting a retired Greyhound? Contrary to what you may think, they don’t need huge amounts of exercise and are incredibly chilled. “PD has strong relationships with Greyhound rehoming initiatives here in NZ and now … Read more
If you’ve been Googling ‘pet friendly pest control near me’ then we’ve got some tips. Ensuring pest control is safe for your dogs, cats or other pets is crucial. Thankfully, there are several precautions to keep pets safe during pest treatments. In this article, PD Insurance outlines safety measures to take in advance, during and … Read more
With the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) reaching New Zealand, pet parents are advised to keep a closer eye on their pets. A confirmed detection in a seabird (brown skua) at Wellington’s Petone beach shows the presence of the virus, and while there is no evidence of spread to poultry, wildlife or domestic … Read more
While crate training a puppy has benefits, there can be drawbacks too. When done correctly, crate training can provide a safe space and help with obedience training. But it’s not the right choice for every dog or their owner. This is part two in a two-part exploration of crate training. Here, we examine the potential … Read more
It’s almost National Mutt Day and we’re looking at the friendliest dog breeds out there. Now, dogs are naturally friendly, which is why we love them so much. But some breeds immediately come to mind when we think of this trait. For this article, we’re taking ‘friendly’ to mean how social they are. And though … Read more
