We love our pets, but with their unconditional love comes fur, dirt and dander. While we are busy cleaning the obvious messes, sometimes the smaller things get missed. Being diligent about keeping our pets healthy goes further than the obvious cleaning of the dirt and here are our top tips on how to keep your pup healthy! Bedding Make sure you remember to keep your pup’s bedding clean. Not only does dirty bedding smell, but it can be a breeding ground for fleas, ticks and other parasites. You can vacuum between washes to clean up hair, dirt and dander but monthly washes with a mild, fragrance ..read more

The French Bull Dog has moved into the number one position in the five most popular breeds in the world. The Frenchie is a smart, compact breed and due to their small size, they fit in well with most lifestyles. Following this are the Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd  and the Poodle coming in at fifth most popular. While the Huntaway is New Zealand’s national dog, they come second place to the Labrador which ranks at a very solid first place. Labradors account for 1/8th of all purebred dogs in New Zealand, with approximately 40,000 purebred Labradors registered in the Coun ..read more

In winter our pups grow heavier coats to keep them warm when it’s cool. When Spring comes along, you will likely notice more hair around the house as your pup starts to lose their winter coat. If you aren’t on a regular brushing and grooming routine, it’s a good time to start in spring as it’s the time when your dog will shed the most. REGULAR BRUSHING is a big one and regardless of your pup’s coat type, regular brushing is important. Even the low maintenance, short haired breeds (Boxers, Bull Terriers, Dalmations, Pugs, Dobermans, Great Danes, Terriers etc) will also benefit from a weekly bru ..read more

It’s often thought that when our dogs eat grass it’s because their diet is defient in nutrients, but dogs on a well balanced diet shouldn’t need additional nutrients and the question is not always so simple. UPSET STOMACH A common thought is that dogs eat grass to relieve the symptoms of an upset stomach. You might see your dog eating grass and then vomiting afterwards. Studies show however, that most dogs vomit after eating grass and very few showed any symptoms beforehand of illness, disproving that it’s a form of self medication. It could be that your dog needs extra roughage in their diet ..read more

With summer over and the cooler time of the year about to begin, there are some necessities that your pup will need to prepare for the coming winter months. Changing seasons means changes in your dog’s nutrition and lifestyle and here are a few tips to ensure your best friend is healthy and happy: KEEPING WARM With the cooler weather approaching, your dog may need new bedding or additional blankets to keep warm, especially if they sleep outside. If your dog spends a lot of time indoors, heating can lead to the skin and coat drying out. To keep moisture in the coat you can increase omega 3 into ..read more

Dogs aren’t really known for self grooming and it’s very suprising to know that licking their paws is a way to clean themselves. Generally it’s normal behaviour and it’s a sign that your pup wants to look after themself! Constant paw licking though should be monitored, just in case there are any underlying issues. If your pup has a skin irritation, it could be allergies. Some grasses, weeds and even dust can cause allergies, so it’s a good idea to check for other symptoms like sneezing, swollen eyes or a runny nose. Dogs can also have allergies to certain foods. Monitor your dog to see if they ..read more

Dogs, just like humans have their own sleep rituals. We know why we need the pillows a certain way, or the blankets tucked in and even which position we like to sleep in, but what does it mean for our pets? Sleeping habits can give us a clue to our dog’s health and happiness that we can interpret if we know what we are looking for. Sleep Preparation Before dogs had beds, the circling was a way of establishing that the area was safe and to make sure there was nothing that could harm them when they slept. Trampling the high grass created enough disturbance to scare away any snakes, rodents or in ..read more

The simple reason is because they love us and want to show affection. Mother dogs will lick their puppies and dogs instinctively learn early on to lick as a sign of affection. Licking is the way that dogs offer comfort, show closeness and bond with family members. As well as communicating how much they care about you, licking releases dopamine and endorphins, making your pup feel relaxed, calm and happy. Unfortunately, just like humans, pups can become too dependent on the endorphin rush and lick obsessively. This may be a sign of underlying health issues or it could mean that your pup has anx ..read more

With Christmas fast approaching, you might be planning a holiday which means making plans for your pets during this time. There are many options for holiday care and the best ones will depend on your needs, the temperament of your pets, how long you are going and where. Pet Friendly Holidays Dogs generally travel very well and it could be a viable option to take your pup with you. You will need to check that the accommodation is pet friendly, as well as there being a safe and secure environment. If you are planning on taking your pets, you will need to ensure that you have a safe means of tran ..read more

Apart from fleas, one of the most common causes of itchy skin for your pooch is generally related to coat maintenance. Grooming is your first defense against persistent itching. Most times the itch is caused by pollens, dirt, matts and dander that stay on your dog’s coat. If left long enough they can start to irritate your dog’s skin, causing your dog to chew and bite at the irritation. The best way to manage the itch is to brush your dog on a daily basis. Brushing your dog just once a day will help prevent the build-up that can lead to itching problems. Not only will this prevent a bout of th ..read more