Dog Walking: How Many Dogs Are Too Many?

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.

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 under the spotlight, with news … Read more

Managing Pet Costs While Giving the Best Care

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.

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 pet parent – and … Read more

Animal Osteopathy: Here’s What You Need To Know

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—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 your pet’s whole body and … Read more

We Asked A Vet: Do Cat and Dog Pheromones Work?

A small brown puppy sits outdoors on dry grass, basking in the sunlight with its eyes closed, like the headline of the top articles declaring happiness found in simple moments.

Are you curious about what pheromones can do for your furry friends? You may have heard of pheromones for cats and dogs and wondered “do pheromone sprays work?” We asked  Dr Cath Watson, Kiwi vet, Healthy Pets New Zealand Trustee and a proud PD contributor, what these invisible chemical messengers can do for our pets … Read more

Year-Long Flea Treatments? We Asked A Vet

A golden retriever, having just finished its year-long flea treatments, lies playfully on its back in a grassy field under the clear sky, with trees framing the serene scene.

A relatively new anti-flea injection is available in New Zealand. It’s vet-administered and works year-round. If you’re among the many pet owners wondering how to treat fleas on dogs (besides the usual course of action of applying anti-flea treatments every couple of months), you might be keen to learn more about this method. PD interviewed … Read more

Smart, Stubborn, Simply Pawsome: The Schnauzer

Close Up Photo of a Schnauzer

Meet the spirited and charming Schnauzer. These little furry wonders are full of personality and make excellent companions for solo pet parents and families alike. And best of all, they come in three sizes, including the Standard, Giant, and Mini Schnauzer. Find out here about their history, unique characteristics, and a special section on their … Read more

Does My Dog Love Me? An Answer for Valentine’s Day

Woman sitting on a couch, smiling as her valentines day dog licks her cheek, answering the question "Does My Dog Love Me?". A cat sits nearby with a plant in the background.

We know you adore your dog. After all, you’re reading this article. But have you ever wondered on Valentine’s Day: “Does my dog love me?” Sure, they wag their tails when they see you. They lick you and cuddle with you. But do they really love you – or is it just the food and … Read more

Dr Cath: The One Thing I Want All Pet Parents To Know

A person with short gray hair smiles warmly, wearing a green shirt, radiating kindness and expertise in pet care against a plain white background.

Kiwi vet Dr Cath Watson hosts our pawsome PD Insurance pet care vlog over on YouTube – where she answers important questions around raising healthy pets. From how to give a dog medication to having difficult conversations around euthanasia – Dr Cath shares her expertise. We caught up with her to chat all things vet … Read more

Vet Advice For Your Dog’s Itchy Skin

Kneeling next to a black and white dog outdoors, the person gently holds the leash while observing the pup's playful antics despite its itchy skin.

Itchy skin in dogs is a big problem. In fact, 20% of dogs will have skin problems that need a vet visit at some point in their lives. Skin allergies (a cause of itchy dog skin) have been on our list of top pet insurance claims for several years now. Figuring out what’s behind your … Read more

A Run-In With Gutter Cleaner: Here’s Alpine’s Story

Alpine's Story unfolds as a black cat with mesmerizing green eyes sits indoors, facing the camera. The window and blinds in the background cast soft shadows, hinting at adventures untold.

Realising your pet may have swallowed something harmful is really scary. This is what happened to Lizzie and her cat Alpine a couple of months ago. Luckily, Lizzie got her furball to the vet quickly and PD Insurance stepped in with a superfast claim payout. We spoke to Lizzie about what happened. Meet Alpine Alpine … Read more