Welcome to Pet Smarts, where we share expert insights and tips on caring for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, horses, reptiles, fish and more.

Pet Smarts Blog

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This guide will help you find the best fit for your home and your cat – plus a few handy tips if things aren’t going quite to plan. 

Which Type of Cat Litter is Best? 

Summer’s here, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy New Zealand’s stunning scenery with your dog. 

Best Dog-Friendly Activities in New Zealand

Walks around the block are great – but there’s a whole world of enrichment waiting outside your front door.

Who Let the Dogs Out? 7 Ways to Prioritise Outdoor Enrichment

More and more pet owners are reaching for salmon-based dog food – and it’s easy to see why.

Why Salmon Deserves a Spot in Your Dog’s Bowl 

Is your fish looking unwell? We've got tips on identifying a sick fish, how to prevent disease, and what treatment is available.

Caring for a Sick Fish: Diagnosis and Treatment

Forget the chocolate – there are plenty of other ways to spoil your pup over the Easter holidays.

5 Ways to (Safely!) Involve Your Dog in Easter Celebrations

Protect your dog from snake bites in the wild. Learn what the signs and symptoms, and the treatment required to keep them healthy.

Snake Bite Symptoms and Safety for Dogs

Cats can be curious creatures. If you’re a cat owner, you’ll have likely learnt to expect the unexpected.

‘Why Does My Cat…?’ How to Decipher Cat Behaviour

At Petstock Puppy School, we’re passionate about shaping well-rounded pups, one paw at a time.

Considering Puppy School? Here’s What You Need to Know.

With the help of our expert vets, we’re investigating parasite prevention for dogs – from what parasites you need to watch out for to how to prevent parasites and treat infestations, Pet Smarts has the lowdown on all your parasite prevention needs.

Dog Parasite Prevention Guide

Discover the risks associated with hot pavements for pets and get some essential tips to prevent burnt paws. A must-read for responsible pet owners!

How to Protect Paws from Burns This Summer

Ensure your dog's safety during fireworks with expert tips and advice. Learn how to calm and protect your furry friend from the stress of fireworks displays. Discover essential tips at Petstock NZ for a worry-free celebration.

How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks

With so many pet foods claiming to be the best, finding the right one for your dog can feel like a daunting task. Throw in the need to manage allergies, sensitivities or weight, and the choices can quickly become overwhelming.

When Less Is More: All About Single Protein Dog Food

Latest Posts

How can you tell if your cat is dehydrated? Here’s some of the key signs of dehydration and how you can prevent it. Learn more.

Dehydration in Cats: Signs and Symptoms

Ensure a safe and enjoyable beach experience for your canine companion with Petstock's guide to dog safety at the beach. Discover expert tips on keeping your dog secure, happy, and healthy while enjoying the sun, sand, and surf. From water safety to beach etiquette, empower yourself with essential knowledge for a worry-free beach day with your furry friend. Visit now for a comprehensive guide to creating memorable beach moments with your dog!

Dog Safety At The Beach

Explore essential tips for keeping rabbits comfortable year-round.

Keeping Rabbits Warm in Winter & Cool in Summer

Warning: dogs can get heatstroke too! From signs and symptoms to watch out for, to how to treat heatstroke in dogs, to what causes heatstroke and how to best avoid it – we’re breaking down this medical emergency and giving you the information you need.

Heatstroke in Dogs

Explore the North Island's diverse landscapes with your four-legged friend! This guide offers a curated list of scenic trails where dogs are welcome. Whether you're looking for a casual stroll or a vigorous hike, you'll find plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors together with your dog.

Top Dog-Friendly Walks: New Zealand North Island

Summer Safety

So, you’re ready for a furry addition to your family? Adopting a dog in need of a loving home is a great first step, but have you considered what you might need to keep your canine companion feeling safe, stimulated, and comfortable in their new home?

First Dog Checklist

Reptiles are increasing in popularity largely because of reduced space requirements and they are relatively inexpensive to keep (although initial purchase costs can be high).

My First Reptile

Before bringing your fur baby home, read through our rabbit checklist to ensure your rabbit’s living space is set up and you have everything you need for when your new buddy arrives.

Bringing a Rabbit Home: Tips for a New Bunny

Discover helpful tips for bringing your kitten home and helping them settle in. Learn how to create a safe and comfortable environment for your new feline friend. 

Bringing Your Kitten Home

These tips should help you settle your new feathery friends in with ease!

Bringing Your New Chickens Home

First Time Pet Owners

Sometimes changing your pet’s diet is necessary, but it’s important to transition your pet to new food slowly so their stomach isn’t overwhelmed. In this guide we'll cover the best way to transition your pet to a new food and avoid upset stomachs.

How To Transition Your Pet to a New Food

If you’re thinking about raw food diets for dogs, here’s the basics you need to know. Including research, raw food types, costs and more.

Raw Food Diet for Dogs: The Theory and the Basics

What should you be feeding your dog? There’s lots of options out there, and this article helps break down the options available to you and your pooch. Raw, mixed feeding, grain free and more.

What Do Dogs Eat? Food Diets and Types

There are many different bird seeds and pellets available that suit particular species of birds. Below is a guide to small a variety of birds and their main dietary requirements. Your local PETstock team can help you find a variety of food suitable for your bird’s breed.

What Do Birds Eat? Tips for Feeding Your Bird

Sometimes, owners feel like the best type of food for their cat is the one they will eat! Cats have a reputation of being fussy eaters; on the other hand, many suffer from weight problems because they’ll eat everything in sight!  Just like us though our cats are what they eat and we should always strive to feed them a nutritionally balanced diet.

What Do Cats Eat? Tips for Feeding Your Cat

Explore essential puppy feeding guidelines, including age-appropriate diets, the advantages of super premium foods, and tips for a healthy transition. Learn about safe and harmful foods for puppies, and how to ensure their dental health and overall wellbeing through proper nutrition.

Feeding Puppies: What to Feed Them?

Discover everything you need to know about selecting the perfect kitten food. From nutritional requirements to types of food, find tips, advice, and recommendations for providing a healthy diet to your growing kitten.

What To Feed Kittens: What Do Kittens Eat?

Diet and Nutrition

Get expert tips on dogs, cats, small animals, birds, horses, reptiles, and fish. Our pet blog covers nutrition, behaviour and more. Browse our blog for more info!

Pet Smarts Blog

April 2025

January 2025

Latest Posts

January 2023

Summer Safety

January 2023

First Time Pet Owners

January 2023

Diet and Nutrition

January 2023