New Year Pet Care Checklist for Dogs and Cats 2026
A fresh year is the perfect time to set new routines, update health essentials, and shower your pets with love and care. Whether you share your home with a purring kitty or a tail-wagging pup, our New Year pet care checklist will help you start 2026 off on the right paw. From nutrition and hygiene to enrichment and wellbeing, we’ve curated a practical, pet-loving guide to get your pet’s year sorted.
Check Their Health From Nose To Tail
Begin the new year by scheduling a full health check with your vet. Annual check-ups are crucial for early detection of potential health issues and to make sure vaccinations and treatments are up to date. If your furry family member is on supplements like joint support or skin and coat care, review them to ensure they still suit their age and needs.
Do not forget flea, tick, and worm protection. Keep your cat or dog itch-free all year long with regular treatments from trusted brands like Bravecto, NexGard, or Simparica. Find everything you need in our all flea & worm essentials collection.
Refresh Their Nutrition Plan
Every pet’s nutrition needs change as they grow. Kick off the year by reassessing their diet. Is your cat or dog still on the right formula for their age, size or life stage? New Zealand-made options like K9 Natural, Feline Natural or ZIWI are not only packed with high-quality ingredients — they’re perfect for pets with sensitive systems too.
Explore our full range of cat and dog food including premium wet food and dry food options. Looking for health-boosting extras? Add variety with tasty pet toppers.
Create A Happy, Enriching Environment
Your pet’s environment has a big impact on their behaviour and mood. Refresh their play collection from our all pet toys page or spoil them with some smart tech toys for independent play and mental stimulation.
For dogs, tuck into fun with durable chew toys and fetch favourites. For felines, swap out old teasers with exciting cat wands or upgrade to new interactive toys.
Update Bedding, Bowls And Everyday Essentials
Just like us, pets appreciate a comfy place to snooze. Treat them to fresh dog bedding or a new cat bed to kick off the year. If their bowls are chipped or ageing, now’s the ideal time to browse sturdy cat feeders and dog bowls.
Hydration can be overlooked, but it’s crucial, especially during summer. Pet fountains like those in our smart fountain range encourage cats and dogs to drink more water — win-win for you and your pet!
Support Their Mental And Emotional Wellness
A calm pet is a happy pet. If your pup experiences separation anxiety or your kitty stresses with guests, explore our calming essentials. Products like Feliway or Adaptil can help restore comfort and routine.
Supplements that support skin and coat health, digestive function, or calming care can also enhance your pet’s quality of life year-round. It’s all part of keeping their tails wagging and whiskers twitching.
Embrace Routines With Smart Tech
Start 2026 with easier feeding and better monitoring. Products in our smart feeder collection help schedule meals, while pet cameras let you check in during the work day. Add peace of mind with smart doors that give your cat or dog the freedom to play (and return!) securely.
These upgrades are more than just tech — they’re time-savers, worry-relievers and pet-parenting wins.
Let Petdirect Help You Tick All The Boxes
With the right planning, 2026 can be your pet’s happiest, healthiest year yet. At Petdirect, we’re here to help you with all the essentials — and the exciting extras too. Because We Get Pet.
Shop our full range of pet products, earn Airpoints as you shop, and save on repeat buys with our Autodeliver service. Plus, unlock exclusive deals and bonuses through Pet Perks. Here’s to a paw-some new year!