Cats are brilliant at finding the warmest patch of sun in summer, but a cold, damp NZ winter is a different proposition. The house is colder, the floor is colder, and the… read more
Winter walks in NZ are a different game. The footpaths are wet, the grass is muddy more often than not, the wind picks up a chill that finds the bits of your… read more
Bringing a kitten home for the first time is one of the best feelings going. It's also slightly overwhelming. There's a tiny new creature in your house, you've got bags of food… read more
Bengals are athletic, busy, and almost always doing something. They climb cat trees, run laps of the lounge at midnight, hunt invisible prey from the back of the sofa, and have plenty… read more
As dogs head into their senior years, their heart works just a little harder to do the same job it always has. Most healthy older dogs do brilliantly with it, especially when… read more
If you've lived with a cat for any length of time, you'll know they have a relationship with the floor that involves the occasional hairball. It's something most owners file under "normal… read more
A previously house-trained older dog leaving puddles on the kitchen floor is one of those changes that catches owners off guard. It feels like a regression, or a behaviour problem, or worse,… read more
You've noticed your cat's water bowl is barely going down. Maybe it's the same level today as it was yesterday. Maybe you've watched them walk past it for a couple of days… read more
The digestive system in a senior cat is doing a quiet, complicated job, and it doesn't always tell you when it's struggling. Cats hide gut problems better than most pets, partly because… read more
The gut does a lot of quiet work, and like everything else in an ageing dog, it slows down a little. Digestion takes a bit longer, nutrients are absorbed slightly less efficiently,… read more
You're stroking your cat one evening and your fingers land on something that wasn't there last week. A small bump near the shoulder, a soft swelling under the chin, or a hard… read more
You've noticed it for a few days now. The water bowl is empty more often. Your cat is at the tap when you're brushing your teeth. Or you've spotted them drinking from… read more
You're scratching your dog's chest in the same spot you've scratched a thousand times, and your fingers find something that wasn't there yesterday. A small soft bump. Or a firm round one… read more
Supplements for senior cats are a slightly different beast to supplements for senior dogs. Cats age differently, the issues that show up first are different, and what you can realistically get into… read more
Dogs lick their paws for all sorts of reasons, and most are mild. The post-walk wash, the after-dinner clean, the occasional five-minute grooming session on the rug. The licking that's worth paying… read more
Cats cough less often than dogs, and when they do, owners notice. The pose alone is striking: hunched low, neck stretched out, tummy contracting, that little wheeze and pause. It looks alarming,… read more
Ragdolls are gentle, affectionate, and famously chill. They're the kind of cat that goes limp when you pick them up, follows you from room to room, and tolerates almost anything you throw… read more
Cats sneeze. Sometimes it's an adorable little "tisshoo" mid-grooming, sometimes it's a small flurry of three or four in a row, and sometimes it's the kind that makes you stop scrolling and… read more
Maine Coons are big, friendly and impossible to miss. They're also wearing a heavy double coat across a much bigger body than most cats, and that combo creates its own particular set… read more
If you've cuddled up to your dog and found yourself thinking "what is that smell?", you're not the only one. Smelly ears are one of the most common reasons people end up… read more
Persians are gorgeous, gentle and a bit high-maintenance, and the long luxury coat that makes them so striking is also the reason scratching can sneak up quickly. If you've noticed your Persian… read more
Older dogs change. The bouncy 4-year-old who always greeted you at the door slowly becomes the dignified 11-year-old who lifts their head and thumps their tail instead. Most of those changes are… read more
Huskies are built for the Arctic. That gorgeous double coat that keeps them warm in snowy mountains is the same coat that, in a NZ summer, can make them itch, scratch and… read more
Senior dogs need exercise. They just need a different kind, and probably less of it, than they did at five. The question almost every owner of an older dog ends up asking… read more
Cats sleep a lot. Older cats sleep more. That's the headline. But somewhere between "lazy old cat being a cat" and "she's hardly moved in two days" sits the question that brings… read more
An older cat experiences your house differently to how they did when they were three. Cold floors are colder, jumps are harder, drafts feel sharper, and the spot they used to love… read more
Older cats hide. They have favourite napping spots, sunny windowsills, the wardrobe shelf they've claimed since they were six. None of that is unusual on its own. What gets a lot of… read more
Senior cats are quiet about being uncomfortable. They don't usually pace, whine or follow you around like a stiff older dog might. They just find a corner, curl up smaller, and wait… read more
If your senior dog is moving more slowly through winter, taking longer to get up from their bed, or hesitating before jumping into the car, you're noticing something a lot of NZ… read more
Older dogs feel the cold more than they used to. Less body fat, slower circulation, stiffer joints and a thinner coat all mean a Kiwi winter can hit your senior dog harder… read more
Cognitive change in older cats is one of those things many owners only spot once it's been going on for a while. Cats are private creatures, and the early shifts can look… read more
Senior cats sleep more, jump less and tend to enjoy the quieter pace of life. What they still need (and often want) is a little daily mental engagement to keep their brain… read more
You're peeling a banana and your dog is giving you the full puppy eyes. The question is: are bananas safe for dogs to eat? The short answer is yes, in small amounts.… read more
Boxers are one of the most allergy-prone breeds out there, so if your Boxer seems to spend half their day scratching, chewing or rubbing themselves on the carpet, you're not imagining it.… read more
If your older cat has started having accidents outside the litter tray, it's easy to assume they're just being naughty or that they've forgotten their training. With senior cats, that's almost never… read more
It's not something most cat owners think about until they notice their older cat acting a bit out of character. Maybe they're yowling at 3am, getting confused in their own house, or… read more
Bully sticks are one of the most popular natural chews for dogs, and for good reason. They're long-lasting, single-ingredient, and most dogs love them. They're also one of those things owners tend… read more
Older dogs slow down. They sleep a bit more, walk a bit shorter, and don't always launch at the door for a tennis ball like they used to. What doesn't slow down… read more
Few breeds win hearts quite like a French Bulldog . They're affectionate, expressive, and full of personality. They're also one of the breeds most likely to leave their owners googling "why is… read more
If you've noticed your older dog acting a little differently lately, you're not alone. Many Kiwi dog owners start to wonder about dog dementia as their dog gets into their senior years.… read more
You're settling down for the night and your older dog starts pacing. Up, down, around the kitchen, into the hallway, back again. Maybe a bit of whining. Maybe a stop to stare… read more
Pigs ears are one of the natural chew treats Kiwi dog owners ask about most. Long-lasting, single-ingredient, and a satisfying chew for dogs who like a treat that takes a while to… read more
3am. The house is quiet, and then your senior cat lets out a long, mournful yowl from the hallway. It happens again the next night, and the next. If your older cat… read more
You walk in to find your older dog facing the wrong way in a corner, staring at a wall, or standing in a doorway looking unsure of where to go. Or maybe… read more
Persian cats are calm, gentle and famously laid-back. They're also long-haired, indoor-leaning, and naturally less active than many other breeds. That mix means feeding them well takes a slightly different approach to… read more
If your older dog has started staring at walls, getting stuck behind doors, or pacing the lounge at night, you're not imagining it. Cognitive decline in senior dogs is real, and more… read more
If your large dog goes through toys like they're made of tissue paper, you're not alone. Labs, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Boxers, Staffies, Ridgebacks and their big-breed cousins have seriously powerful jaws. Most… read more
Chihuahuas are tiny, clever and full of personality, but they also come with a few breed-specific quirks when it comes to skin and coat. A Chihuahua who's scratching a lot is trying… read more
Cats are notoriously poor drinkers. They descend from desert-dwelling ancestors who got most of their moisture from prey, so they're wired to drink less than other pets. That works fine for a… read more
Indoor cats have cosy lives but it's easy for them to get bored, especially in smaller homes or apartments. Without the variety of outdoor life, they need a bit of help to… read more