Best Dog Parks in Auckland, New Zealand

Have you and your pooch pal just moved to New Zealand or planning to relocate your pet to Auckland in the near future? Moving is an exciting and fun time, and we want to make sure your dog gets to experience all the best new sights, sounds and smells that Auckland has to offer. Let your four-legged furry companion meet and play new doggo mates while you soak in the fresh views.

Top 5 Dog parks in Auckland

1. Meola Dog Park, Western Springs

meola dog park auckland

Image: nzherald.co.nz

Meola Reef Park is the only fully fenced, year-round off-leash dog in central Auckland. Featuring lush green terrains and bush area, this park is a popular spot for dog owners. Plenty of parking is available and your dog will have a good old time romping around with other furry visitors. For more information on Meola Reef Park, click here.

2. Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa

auckland botanic gardens dog friendly

Image: Your Life with Dogs

One of Auckland’s most beautiful gardens, the Auckland Botanic Gardens is a botany fan’s paradise with duck ponds and boardwalks. There is an off-leash area at the northern area of the Gardens where your dog will be permitted to roam free and frolic to their heart’s desire. For more information on Auckland Botanic Gardens, click here.

3. Craigavon Park, Green Bay

dog friendly craigavon park auckland

Image: Bark Bag

A diverse landscape that’s wonderful for doggos and their human parents alike, Craigavon Park features tons of large grassy areas for romping around and even a small stream for fans of the water. Challenge your pup with the dedicated agility course, which is sure to tire them out at the end of the day. For more information, click here.

4. Bomb Point, Hobsonville

bomb point hobsonville dog friendly auckland

Image: Bark Bag

Boasting a rich military and aviation history, Te Onekiritea Point (Bomb Point) now has a fully fenced off area for pooches to run around freely, off leash. For more information, click here.

5. Onehunga Bay Reserve

onehunga bay reserve dog friendly auckland

Image: Auckland Unleashed

A terrific place to take your pup for a run and a swim, the Onehunga Bay Reserve features a lagoon that’s separated from the sea, keeping the water calm for first-time swimmers. Bordered by large grassy area and accessible via a gentle walkway, this is a fantastic off-leash option for dog owners. For more information, click here.

Dr. Angus’s Tips for Settling Your Cat into Your New Home

 

tips for settling in your catAt Jetpets, we like to help you make the pet travel process as easy and stress-free as possible for you and your furbaby. However, it’s important to remember that the travel process goes beyond the pick up from the airport or transit lounge, your furbabies will still need some time to get used to their new home and the new sights, smells and sounds that come with it. This is especially true for cats, as they are creatures of comfort and can take longer to acclimatise when compared to their dog counterparts.

We’re very fortunate to have expert in-house vets at Jetpets and we’ve asked Dr. Angus for his advice and top tips when it comes to helping your cat settling into your new home.

 

Phase 1: ‘Safe Mode’

Cats are usually quite bonded to their home territory so tend not to appreciate the time, expense and effort that you’ve gone to in relocating them with you – not initially anyway… Once they leave their established home most cats will go in to ‘safe mode’ whereby they will ‘lay low’ and ‘sit tight’- as in they will retreat to the back of their travel crate and maintain a low body and head posture to try and remain as ‘invisible’ as possible; this is a natural self-protective response employed by cats. We should, however, mention that there is a small cohort of outliers among the cat population who are a bit more outgoing; these are the ‘confident’ cats who will be at the front of the crate looking for any attention they can get. Having said that; the following advice applies to all cats.

cat safe mode

Image: @exoticblume

On receiving your intrepid feline adventurer (or bag of nerves – whatever the case may be) on arrival either at the airport or if they are delivered to your doorstep the most important thing to remember is, no matter how much you want to give them a reassuring scratch around the ears,
do not under any circumstances open the crate in an uncontained area. A cat that escapes in an unfamiliar area, no matter how friendly/easy going/dog-like they are normally is very likely to bolt and may be lost forever.

 

Phase 2: Allocate a ‘Safe Room’

So, once you’ve got them to their new home; it’s best to allocate them their own room for starters – preferably one without hiding places behind heavy electrical devices like fridges and washing machines.

In this room you’ll need at least one good-sized litter tray filled with their preferred litter (if they have a preference) and at the opposite end of the room a bowl of clean water (preferably bottled water – some cats may not initially drink tap water that tastes ‘different’ due to chlorination, different pipes etc.) and a selection of their favourite food – we’re talking the expensive stuff here; prawns, salmon, venison – you’ve spent enough to cover a business class airfare on them so you may as well splash out on some business class tucker too. Your cat will of course reciprocate (OK, punish you) and expect you to eat beans on toast for a few weeks.

cat eating

Image: @exoticblume

Also, in their initial ‘safe room’ you’ll need a comfortable hiding place such as an igloo. You may be able to use the travel crate as this hiding place but first check that the Stay Dry mat hasn’t been soiled – turn it over to check for any tell-tale marks on the underside as it will, as given away by the name, be dry on top. If need be tip out the bedding from the crate and replace it with clean bedding.

Highly recommended for the ‘safe room’ is a Feliway plug-in diffuser, this will help indicate to your cat that this is a safe area and help them to settle/calm down more quickly.

It’s best to open the crate in the ‘safe room’ and let your cat come out of their own accord – most will within a few minutes but a few may need a little coaxing. Most cats will then carry out a ‘sweep’ checking for the presence of any other cats – in other words this is the first stage of establishing their new territory. They may vocalise while undertaking this sweep and may want to jump up onto any high surfaces such as cabinets, shelves etc. to get a better view of their surroundings.

Once they’ve established that the area is theirs and theirs alone then they will begin to relax and possibly even come and say hello to you (and check that you haven’t been cheating on them with any other cats during their absence…). Once you’ve reached this point you can leave them to relax further in their new bit territory by giving them some peace and quiet and time to have a bite to eat and use the tiger-latrine.

Phase 3: Time to Explore

cat hiding

Image: @exoticblume

Sooner or later there will be a request to have a look through the door and find out what’s in the next room. If you’re happy to, and provided all exits are closed, you can let them through and they will then repeat the process of checking that they have exclusive rights to this new bit of territory.

You can then progressively introduce them to as much of their new home as they feel comfortable being introduced to. But remember always ensure that all outside exits are closed!!

You do not want to let your cat out into the open until you are completely confident that they are well established in and bonded to their new indoor territory. There is no hard and fast rule as to how long this establishment or bonding takes (some people say two weeks others say up to six) as it very much depends on your cat’s individual temperament. Ultimately you need to be confident that they have established their indoor territory as a safe place where if they are outside and something scares them then then their automatic response is to retreat to the house.

Phase 4: Out and About (this only applies to cats who are not indoor-only)

Most cats will pretty quickly in the first couple of days after arrival in their new home begin to show an interest in the outside world and begin to ‘ask’ to go outside – it’s best to take a conservative approach to this and don’t give in to them too soon until you are comfortable that they will come back to the house rather than launch into an epic journey to try and return to their previous home.

When you do let them out for the first time this is best done under close supervision letting them explore in, preferably, an enclosed area and only at ground level few minutes or until they start looking to jump or climb before returning them inside. You can then repeat these supervised
outings for longer periods of time and always make sure that there is a clear way back into the house through an open door. Cats do not understand or respect roads and traffic so you always need to be aware of busy roads if they are nearby.

cat outdoors

Image: @exoticblume

A good time to let your cat out for the first time is prior to a meal. Initially you can take them back in and feed them and then once they’re more relaxed outside put their food out just inside the door and allow them to come in under their own steam. Once your cat has explored your
immediate garden and has chosen a ‘favourite spot’ where they are comfortable sitting and watching the world go by, and will come in for food when called, then you can at last consider your cat’s relocation a success.

But always remember with all cats that curiosity will often lead them further afield; this typically occurs during hours of darkness so it is recommended to keep cats indoors at night both for their own safety and to mitigate impacts on local bird and wildlife populations.

Helping Your Dog Settle Into Their New Home

Jetpets Vet Dr. Angus provides his top tips to help your dog adjust to your new home

This is a good news story.  The moment your dog sees you, or another family member, on arrival from their ride on the big jet plane then suddenly all will become clear as why they just did what they did. And, dogs being dogs, they’ll be so overcome with the joy of seeing you (as they always are), they’ll forget almost completely about what just happened.

Don’t get us wrong, flying isn’t generally a scary experience for dogs – I can say with confidence that after quite a few years of seeing dogs off on flights that dogs who have travelled by air before are always quite happy to do it again. Somewhere in their canine brains, among the info about where they buried all those bones and the TV remote, what time the postie comes past and how many cats to this day are still stuck up that tree, there’s a memory about going in this weird car-like thing where they couldn’t stick their head out of the window but at the end of the ride, that’s right, they were reunited with YOU!!

So all that explaining you did before the journey (where actually all they heard was “blah blah blah blah car, blah blah blah blah walk, blah blah blah blah no we are not leaving the cat behind”) now all makes sense.

Unless you happen to own a Border Collie…, they’re different and will have understood every word you said, in fact just give them this electronic device now and they’ll read this themselves.  And you know that middle-of-the-row seat you landed?  In between the yoghurt covered toddler and that bloke who just won’t stop talking about the Collingwood Football Club?  Well, your Border Collie has dipped into those frequent flyer points you were saving up to buy that smoothie juicer (mmmm, kale…) and upgraded you!  After all, they’re going business class (with the lie-flat bed and friendly good-looking Jetpets pet handlers pouring the iced waters and telling you what a good boy/girl you are) so why shouldn’t you travel business class too?  What, you didn’t know that Qantas sent their premium cabin staff to us for training?

So, to cut a long story short your dog will still think you’re no less super-awesome than you were before the big trip.  And, really, settling in is pretty much a done deal.

What you should do though is take care of few canine personal health and safety issues

1. Make sure your new home is escape-proof

If they’re one of the minority who might leave your side for more than a few seconds then it’s essential to make sure that your new home is escape-proof – so is the lock on the back gate functional, are there any holes/gaps in the fence?  If they don’t necessarily get on with other dogs then make sure any neighbours’ dogs can’t make contact with them either by getting some or all of themselves through fences.

 

2. Keep your dog on a lead

This may be obvious, but even though you and your dog might be totally free spirits, please keep them on a lead – at least for the short walk between the front door of the Jetpets Transit Lounge and your VW Kombi.  Nothing gives us the heebie-jeebies more than a loose dog in the car park with cars whizzing past.  We want you and your dog to get away safely on your surf trip, those seagulls won’t chase themselves.

 

3. Visit your local vet

Once you’ve finished unpacking all those sparkly tops, black winter coats (if you’ve moved to Melbourne), beach gear (if you haven’t moved to Melbourne) and the hairdryer (and also once you’ve unpacked your own things – but that’ll only take a couple of minutes right?) it’s a good idea to drop in at your friendly local vet.  Apart from being the smartest people on the planet, vets are also good for some more mundane practical things; they can update your dog’s microchip registration details so that if by some dark misfortune your pooch is facing ‘doing time’ down at the pound, your current address and phone number can be looked up and you can be down there in a jiffy to bail them out.  We know it’ll be an awkward conversation in the car on the way home but it’s still best the possible outcome at that point in time.

Also ask your professional superhero (the vet) about any prophylactic treatments (such as Heartworm prevention) and vaccinations that they recommend for dogs living your area.  Either there might be treatments or vaccinations that weren’t necessary where you used to live or they weren’t available.

Above all we wish you and your best friend the safest and happiest of travels.  And if they do the full body wag, or that silly run they do when they’re really happy, then that’s a bonus!

 

Winter Pet Fashion

We all love dressing our pets up in cute outfits and with the arrival of winter, you now have another great reason to get shopping! Winter is the best time to have fun and choose fashionable outfits for your pets to keep them warm and stylish throughout the cooler seasons.

With the exposure to harsh temperatures during the day and freezing cold nights, it’s important to protect your furry friend with extra layers that are practical and fashion-forward.

Many smaller breeds who have light layers of fur may have difficulty keeping themselves warm in cooler times of the year, especially when outdoors. This also applies to our senior companions who can have difficulty regulating their body temperature. That’s why it’s vital to dress them in functional clothing to protect them from the cold and keep them happy and stylish during winter.

Need some advice on what to dress your pets in this winter? Read on below for the winter essentials your pet needs now.

Winter Fashion For Your Pet | Jetpets | Fashion | Pet Fashion | Pet Flights Domestic

A Jacket:

You can’t go wrong with a great jacket for all pets big and small. For those very cool days that are spent outdoors, a thicker waterproof jacket that covers your pet’s stomach and the majority of their body is best, however for days spent indoors a lightweight jacket or jumper will suffice. Have some fun and choose styles with cute colours and prints including leopard print, cameo, stripes or bold geometric shapes. Just make sure you steer clear of jackets with zips, buttons or additional detailing that your pet may chew off.

A Jumper:

If you are spending the day indoors, a jumper is a great alternative to a jacket for your pet. There are many options to choose from, like a classic knitted sweater, to a too-cool for school hoodie. A wool blend jumper is a great option for all pets as it keeps them nice and warm without irritating their skin. For comfort and practicality, a hoodie is ideal for active pets. The hood can keep their ears and head warm and the stretchy fabric makes it easy for them to play and exercise no matter where you are!

A few things to remember when buying an item of clothing to keep your pets warm this winter include:

  • Ensure that the item cannot be easily pulled off
  • Check the size, making sure it fits your pet correctly and is comfortable to wear
  • Check the item doesn’t drag on the ground
  • Ensure it isn’t too tight, especially around the neck
  • Check that it doesn’t get caught on anything during normal movement and activities

Does your pet have a favourite piece of clothing that they love to wear in winter? Comment and share what it is with us on Facebook.

Winter Fashion For Your Pet | Jetpets | Fashion | Pet Fashion | Pet Flights Domestic

 

 

Winter Tips for Your Pet

With the cooler weather well and truly upon us, we are often asked by owners about their pet’s needs in winter.

So we thought we’d clear things up! Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions…

Winter Blues - how to look after your dog or cat in winterQ: Is it important to exercise our pets in winter, even when it’s freezing outside? 

A: Winter activities will vary widely depending on what kind of pet you have, their personality, and the severity of the weather. When it comes to dogs, they really need to get out all year round, even in colder weather. Dogs who really enjoy the outdoors and colder temperatures can have just as much exercise in the winter as the summer. You can keep your walks shorter for those who don’t enjoy the winter weather as much.

Q: Are coats and jackets a good idea for pets who spend time outside during winter?

A: Some dogs with thin coats will benefit from a jacket, and find freezing temperatures much more enjoyable with the extra layer!

Q: Does my dog or cat need to eat more in winter to help survive the cold?

A: Because people and animals often are less active in the winter months, we often find that people need to feed their dogs less during the winter. If you and your dog are very active, or if your dog is primarily outside, then you may need to increase their food proportionally.

dog in winter

Q: Does my pet still need lots of fresh water, even though it’s cold outside and they may not be as thirsty?

A: Fresh water is always necessary, even if your dog isn’t drinking as much as during the hot summer.

Our Top Winter Tips:

Cold winter days can be particularly uncomfortable for slim, younger or older dogs when it comes to nap time. We suggest elevating their bed off the ground where possible, and placing a hot water bottle (with warm not boiling water) into their bed or kennel. This will soon make for a comfortable place to rest

pug in blanket

Top 5 Pet Friendly Cafes in Wellington

Here at Jetpets, we love any excuse to get out to our local cafes with our dogs! What’s better than spending your morning with a cup of coffee and man’s best friend by your side? Here are our picks of dog friendly cafes in Wellington.

Beach Babylon

232 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay

Beach Babylon is the ultimate pet friendly café. Not only do they welcome dogs of all shapes and sizes, they also provide comfortable dog beds and water bowls for all furry visitors. Don’t leave your dog out; order them a pupsicle or dogaccino from the k9 menu!

Image courtesy of Beach Babylon
Image courtesy of Beach Babylon

Rougue and Vagabond

18 Garrett St, Wellington

Nothing says ‘summer’ more than a drink at the local pub on a warm summers afternoon. Rougue and Vagabond is the perfect location for those that want to bring their dogs along too! Dogs are welcome to enjoy the sunshine with their owners in the outdoor garden area.

Carlton Café

44 Coutts St, Kilbirnie

Carlton Café is a suburban hotspot. Head down to grab a coffee and a slice of cake in the courtyard and bring your dog too for a relaxing day in the sun!

Mojo Poneke

1 Clyde Quay Wharf, Te Aro

Mojo Poneke is located right on the waterfront of Clyde Warf. Dogs are welcome at this sea-side cafe in all outdoor areas. Get down early and enjoy the sunrise with your furry-friend!

Picnic Café

101 Glenmore St, Thorndon

Wellington’s Botanic Gardens are a must-see when visiting the North Island. Take your dog for a walk through the pet friendly gardens, then stop off at Picnic Café for a brew. You and your dog are sure to enjoy a day in the idyllic Botanic Gardens!


What are your favourite cafes to hit up with your dog? Let us know on Facebook!

 

 

How to Keep Your Pets Cool in Summer

Summer has finally arrived, which means holidays, beach days and barbeques! As the winter coats go away and the air conditioners go on, it’s important to make sure we help keep our pets cool as the temperature rises.

Not sure where to start? Here are our tips on how to keep your pets cool throughout summer!

DIY Ice Treats:

Ice treats are a great way to encourage your pet to stay cool and hydrated in the hot weather!

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for DIY ice treats:

  1. Place a few of your pets favourite treats in an ice tray (suitable for smaller dogs) or an empty ice cream container (suitable for larger dogs)
  2. Fill with water. To add a bit of flavor you can mix in some beef stock or gravy powder!
  3. Tip the treat out and watch as your pet enjoys their new treat! It’s a great idea to place the ice treat into an empty food bowl so there’s not as much clean up afterwards!

Pool Time:

Kiddie pools are a great way to help keep your pets cool in the warmer weather. Dogs can splash around and even drink! Alternatively, you can get out the garden hose and splash your pet, (as long as they are enjoying it!)

Stay Inside:

During the hot weather, it’s a good idea to keep your animals inside. If your pet normally sleeps outside, consider bringing them inside on warm nights, especially if you are lucky enough to have air conditioning. Like us, once they get hot it is hard for our pets to cool down, so its best to keep them cool before the weather heats up.

Smaller animals such as birds and rabbits can be quite heat sensitive too. If you can’t bring them inside then try to move their cages to a shaded area, and drape wet towels over their cage. And always make sure your pets have fresh water

Wet Their Feet:

As cats and dogs don’t sweat, it’s important for us to do what we can to help them regulate their body temperature. Dogs and cats regulate heat through their feet and paws, so dipping their feet in water will help cool them down.

Exercise:

It’s important for our pets to keep active despite how warm or cool it may be, so you may have to adapt their exercise schedule in line with the weather. During the warmer months, it’s a great idea to exercise your animals early in the morning, or in the evening to avoid peak temperatures. Here’s a list of our favourite pet-friendly destination’s in New Zealand if you’re lacking some inspiration!

summer

The Silly Season is upon us!

We can barely believe it, it’s almost Christmas time! Life can get a bit crazy at this time of the year, with all of the late night shopping and travelling. It’s important to remember that the holiday season is all about spending time with loved ones (and this includes our pets!) Here are a few ways you can celebrate with your pets this silly season.

Check out the Christmas lights:

Visiting your local Christmas lights is one of the best parts of the silly season! Why not bring along your dog while you admire the best Christmas displays? Some houses even provide water and treats for dogs passing by on warm summer nights!

If you’re in Christchurch then you’re in luck. Christchurch is without a doubt, the Christmas lights capital of the Southern hemisphere! Click here to check out your local Christmas lights!

Photoshoot Time:

Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. So why not have a photoshoot? Set up your self-timer, or grab a friend and take some family portraits with your pets!

If your pet will let you, dress them up! Grab a Santa hat for your dog, or tie a red ribbon around your cats collar to get them into that festive spirit!

Customise Christmas Cards:

Now that you’ve got some seriously cute family photos, why not customise your own Christmas cards? Your family and friends will no doubt love receiving a cute picture of your pet in the post!

Go Shopping:

Since you’re going to be doing a lot of shopping anyway, you might as well pick up a few gifts for your pets! Cats and dogs can be seriously inquisitive, so they will probably want to help you unwrap some gifts on Christmas day! Buy them their own Christmas stocking and fill it up with treats you know they will love.

Treats:

One of the best parts about Christmas is sharing delicious food with family and friends. Treat your pet on Christmas day and serve up their favourite food or treats! Why not serve up a frozen chicken neck to your dog on a warm Christmas day, or even bake your own pet-friendly cookies.

Chritsmas

How do you get your pet involved in Christmas celebrations? Let us know on Facebook!

5 Pet-friendly Destinations in New Zealand (To Head To Now!)

Whether you’re visiting from overseas or just looking for a weekend getaway, New Zealand has many amazing pet-friendly destinations to discover.

Here are a few of our favourites:

Botanic Gardens – Wellington

The Wellington Botanic Gardens are spread across 25 hectares of protected forest and colorful floral displays. The Botanic Gardens might just be the ultimate pet-friendly destination, with plenty of room to run and play, it’s virtually any dogs dream! Dogs are allowed into the Botanic Gardens all year round, as long as they are on a lead.

A quick car journey through the city’s centre will bring you to Beach Babylon, a café that caters to pups of all shapes and sizes. Order your furry-friend a pupsicle or dogachino after a long day of running around the gardens.

Meola Reef – Auckland

If you’re on the hunt for a great dog park in Auckland, this is definitely one to try! Meola Reef is open to dogs off the lead, all the time, it’s practically a dogs dream playground! Off the lead areas are fenced, so there is no need to worry about those pups that love to run, and run, and run.

Bottle Lake Forest Park – Christchurch

Amongst the hustle and bustle of busy Christchurch is the Bottle Lake Forest Park. Located 10km north of the city centre rests this beautiful protected forest. Entry to the park is free meaning that it’s a great place to visit with your pup all year round. Dogs are welcome in the park as long as they are under effective control.

On the east side of the forest is Waimairi Beach, a great walking spot for humans and their furry friends! Remember to bring a towel with you; otherwise things might get a bit messy.

Hamilton Gardens

Located half way between Auckland and Rotorua, the Hamilton Gardens are a great place to stop off to stretch your legs, and let your pup roam around. The picturesque gardens are a hotspot for local dog lovers, especially in the springtime! Dogs are permitted in all public gardens as long as they are on a lead.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a tourism hotspot, thanks to its geothermal hot springs and its unique landscape. Head to the Whakarewarewa Forest and The Redwoods to experience one of the most stunning walking paths you and the pup have ever seen! If you feel like exploring on your own, take a stroll through several scenic walking tracks. Educational guided tours are also available too

Dog playing outside

Do you have any favourite pet-friendly spots you’d like us to add to the list? Share them with us on Facebook.

 

Fun Spring Activities To Do With Your Pet

Spring has sprung and we are celebrating the warmer weather by taking our pooches outdoors and having some fun in the sun!

There are a great range of fun activities you can do with your furry friend now, from beach walks, doggy playdates and even camping!

We’ve rounded up our favourite activities below.

Spring

Have a doggy playdate:

Since the weather has warmed up, it’s time to leave the house and get social! There’s no better way to do that then by bringing along your bestie and their pooch and going on a doggy date. We love heading to a local pet-friendly café or going on a big weekend walk for a catch-up your pets will love.

Head to the beach:

Suns out so it’s time to hit the beach! There are great selections of dog-friendly beaches here in New Zealand so you have countless of options to choose from. Go to your local beach, or make a day of it by packing up the car and taking your canine companion on a beach trip they’ll remember.

Go camping:

If you’ve ever wanted to embrace the outdoors and get back to nature then now is the time. Camping with your pup will make for a fun weekend adventure! Just make sure to select pet-friendly campsites, take plenty of treats, warm clothes (as the nights still tend to be chilly) and make sure there’s enough room in the tent for the two of you!

Go on a hike:

If you want to head outside but are not quite up for a camping trip (just yet) why not go on a hike? There are plenty of great walking tracks for you and your pet in New Zealand which are sure to get your heart rate up! Remember to bring water and snacks for both you and your pooch in case you both need to refuel and recharge.