NZ Blog for Pet Parents | Pet Articles

A pink tea light candle in a decorative holder surrounded by flower petals and colored sand for Diwali 2024.

Our Guide to a Pet Friendly Diwali 2026

Are you ready for Diwali 2026? With celebrations and Diwali fireworks planned across Auckland and beyond, this 5-day festival is set to be just as

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 recent PD survey showed that almost 90% of pet parents have noticed costs rising in the past 2 years. Below we outline the largest costs associated with being a pet parent – and how

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 Help Them)

Ah, Chihuahuas. Despite being cute, intelligent, and ICONIC 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

A woman wearing glasses and a pink shirt smiles while holding a yellow dog’s face as the dog opens its mouth near her cheek, celebrating Pink Shirt Day—an event that proudly supports anti bullying day NZ.

How to Celebrate Pink Shirt Day with Pets

Pink Shirt Day is an anti-bullying day in NZ (and in Canada where it first started). Pets often provide a strong sense of comfort and security to those who are being bullied. They can be our best friend or beloved companions but also provide vital support as therapy and assistance

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.

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

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

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.

Year-Long Flea Treatments? We Asked A Vet

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

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