Keep your pets safe on Howl-o-ween!
Halloween may be more popular overseas and a bit different this year than normal, but it’s always good to know how to keep your pet safe if you are celebrating Halloween. We’ve p … read more
What you need to know about your dog's digestive system
The canine digestive system is different from humans. That’s why it’s important for us to understand how dogs digest their food so we can give them the proper digestive care. Know … read more
How to crate train your puppy: step-by-step guide
If you’ve just brought home a new puppy, potty training is probably high on your list of priorities. But what if there was a way to simplify the housetraining process and help your pupp … read more
It turns out you can bottle love
Cats and dogs love the taste of milk, however most are unable to naturally process the lactose in milk and often get digestive issues. K9 Natural and Feline Natural have created a great daily … read more
Introducing a food for the first time
A new pet food should always be introduced gradually, even if your pet appears to like the new food. This will help reduce the chance of a stomach upset following a food change. Changes to di … read more
Proudly NZ Made: ZIWI
Everyone knows the secret to a great recipe (and health!) is the ingredients. For New Zealand pet food company, ZIWI®, the focus on ingredients and recipes is at the heart of what they do … read more
How to work from home as a pet parent
Working from home means a whole new set of distractions, especially of the furry kind. Whilst pets can provide a great excuse for a much needed break during your working day at home, having y … read more
Lockdown with your dog: A beginner's guide
Ok, so you’re in lock down… and probably the first time you and your fur friend will be spending weeks in each other’s company – poor fur kid. This is an amazing time … read more
Your go to guide for trimming a dog's nails at home
If you are one of the many who has tried to trim your dog’s nails; welcome to the club of angst. Let’s face it, neither you nor your dog like to partake in this activity. But for … read more
Care guide for your puppy
Getting a new puppy is exciting for the whole family, it’s important to know what to expect during your puppy’s first year and also what supplies you’ll need to provide them … read more
Wet and dry feeding your dog
When trying to decide what to feed your pet, you might feel like you need to decide: dry or wet dog food? The truth is that both dry and wet dog food have their benefits. It’s entirely … read more
Top tips for grooming your dog
Good grooming will help your dog look and feel their best. Routine grooming sessions also allow you to examine your dog’s coat, teeth, eyes, ears, and nails for signs of problems. How o … read more
Do I really need to clean my Dog's ears? Groomer explains why it's so important.
Ears are one of your dog’s more sensitive body parts that need to be checked on a regular basis; however, cleaning those ears can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Some dogs are blesse … read more
What are the benefits of mixed feeding for your dog?
Wet food or dry food? Which should you choose for your dog? The answer is both! Feeding your dog a mixture of both wet and dry food gives them a variety of tastes, textures and smells. Mixing … read more
Try dinner time without the dog bowl, you (and your dog) will thank us for it!
This one simple tip is what every dog owner needs to know: Use feeding time as enrichment time. Instead of giving breakfast and dinner in a bowl, for every meal, that gets demolished in under … read more
How to ease puppy biting
How to ease puppy biting Is it normal for a puppy to bite? Puppies bite and nip as they grow and develop, however, it’s important to train them early during the teething stage. Training … read more
Bravecto: Wondering if your dog has fleas?
Most dogs pick up fleas at least once in their lifetime. Fleas are the most common external parasite found on dogs, and whether you live in the city or the country, there are plenty of oppor … read more
Feeding your puppy - A guide to the first 12 months
Did you know that good nutrition isn’t just about the ingredients in the food; it is also about finding the right balance of nutrients? During the first year of life, nutrition plays a … read more
Puppies need schedules too, here's why
Puppies sure are cute. But raising one can certainly have its challenges. Creating a schedule and sticking to it helps your puppy settle into your home but also helps everyone in the family u … read more
Groomer explains what happens to your dogs' fur when they aren't being fed the right food
A few weeks ago, I saw a dog whose skin was red and extremely itchy and losing a lot of fur. Their owner brought them into our groomer, Sam, who explained that skin irritations and loss of co … read more
Preparing for your new puppy: A complete checklist
Like having a baby, there is so much you can do to prepare and feel confident in yourself when your puppy arrives. It helps to learn about puppy training, how to puppy proof your home/space, … read more
Keeping your dog sane whilst in isolation
While most dogs are probably over the moon to have their owners home with them at the moment, they will also have to go through an adjustment period. Just like us humans are giving up a lot o … read more
Is your dog getting bored of your bubble? Make it fun again.
Just like you, your dog might be starting to miss socialising with his furry friends at the beach or park. The old walk around the block might be becoming a bit boring and repetitive now, bu … read more
Bringing a new puppy home
Getting a new puppy can be an exciting and busy time, but it’s always important to be prepared. Here are our top 7 essentials to help make your puppy’s experience of their new hom … read more
Why feed a premium food?
We all love our pets and would like them to be their healthiest selves and live for as long as possible– even forever if we could make it so! Accordingly, we want to feed them nothing … read more
5 easy tricks to teach your dog whilst in self isolation
Looking for things to do with your dog during lock down? Why not try some new tricks to impress friends and family. Here are a few of our go-to favourites: Speak This will be easier if your d … read more
Pet Talk: Aaron and his rescue dog Milly
When it came to getting a dog for his family, Pet Direct CEO Aaron decided to adopt an older dog named Milly. Aaron's experience in the pet industry, owning dogs and with Milly have made him … read more
Should you really groom your puppy?
A common question asked is - should I groom my puppy? Grooming isn’t just about making your dog look and smell great, it’s also an important part of his ongoing health and well-be … read more
Tips to keep your senior dog more comfortable when grooming
They say that “old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable”. It’s vitally important that you make sure senior dogs stay comfortable in their ‘Golden Years’. Whilst … read more
Why Hill's pet food?
We all want the best diet for our pets but choosing the best diet can sometimes be quite difficult. Let’s take a look at why Hill’s Science Diet pet foods are a great choice for y … read more
Pawshake: Why use a pet sitter?
Why use a pet sitter? Hiring a pet sitter is a great solution when you are busy with work or heading away on a holiday. With summer only weeks away and many of us jumping in the car to enjoy … read more
Beco: Behind the brand
BECO: The Award-Winning Pet Company That’s Flying The Flag For Sustainability Beco Founder George Bramble joins us for a Q&A to explain the ethos ‘Behind The Brand&rsquo … read more
Why it's important to keep your pets in the 'bubble' during COVID-19
By now everyone is up to speed on social distancing and hygiene protocols for humans, but infectious disease experts have said that people need to be conscious of who their pets are coming in … read more
Obesity in pets: What part does nutrition play?
‘You are what you eat’, right? But in the case of our pets, it’s more so that ‘they are what we feed them’! Pet obesity is a real problem all over the world and … read more
Biologically Appropriate Pet Food
What does biologically appropriate mean? When pet foods began to be mass produced, the focus was on convenience. Kibble made it easy for people to bring pet food … read more
Trainer's top tips for dealing with Doggy separation anxiety in level 2
As we head into level 2, out of our bubble. People are going back to their busy work and school schedules. But our best fur friends are staying home. It’s going to be quite a change for … read more
Lockdown shows us what it's like to live a Dog's life: Trainer explains
Having been in lock down mode for six weeks now in Auckland, New Zealand, Samantha Jackson from Howlistic Help had gained an interesting perspective. One a lot of people have, perhaps yoursel … read more
Trainer explains: Why NOW is the perfect time to train your dog.
One of the most common problems new pet parents struggle with is getting their young dog to focus, be calm and responsive around distractions. Particularly around other dogs and people. Sama … read more
Trainer explains easy method to stop your dog pulling on leash
It doesn’t matter if your dog is big or small, pulling on the leash can make the walk quite uncomfortable. Samantha Jackson from Howlistic Help shares an easy method on how to train you … read more
How to have an Easter scavenger hunt for your dog in 4 easy steps.
With Easter coming up why not plan a fun Easter scavenger hunt for your pup. Make it a party and invite your family and friend’s dogs to join in. Make it more festive and get your furry … read more
Pet Talk: Beckie's guide to the perfect getaway with your dog
Pet Direct's Warehouse Manager Beckie Gooding has had countless holidays with her Wirehaired Vizsla Ted - she's even taken him to France! So it's safe to say that when it comes to having a s … read more
Keeping your dog safe in the sun
Summer is a time for adventures, and there’s nothing quite like taking your best furry friend along for the ride. When out for a day at the beach, we take measures to protect ourselves … read more
Could your dog's collar be damaging their neck?
Collars are a vital part of dog ownership. They allow you to walk your dog on a leash and they provide a place to hang an ID and registration tags. However, it is important to make sure you a … read more
Caring for dogs with allergies
If you have ever suffered from hay fever, chronic sneezing or a sensitivity to gluten, you’ll understand just how annoying and uncomfortable allergies can be. But allergies aren’t … read more
Bad doggie breath – what can I do?
While we all love the enthusiastic cuddles and kisses we receive from our furry friends, a bad bout of smelly dog breath can really ruin the moment and leave us struggling to get away, fast! … read more
How much exercise do dogs need?
As a dog owner, you’ll know that exercise is an important part of raising a happy and healthy pup. Not only is it fun for your dog (or should be!), but it helps to strengthen the bond b … read more
Best indoor exercises for your dog
There can be times where us pet parents aren't able to leave the house to exercise our dog as much as we'd like. However, it is still important to make sure your pup is still getting the exer … read more
Some of the most common causes of accidental poisoning in dogs
Every year thousands of dogs are accidentally poisoned, mostly as a result of owners simply not being careful or aware of what things are poisonous to their furry family. The best safeguard a … read more