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Pet Smarts delivers the latest advice and guides for your pet. Think dog anxiety tips, common cat health issues and how to set up your fish tank. It's all here, for every pet parent, anytime.

Pet Smarts

National Pet Adoption Month

There’s no better time than winter to make sure your pup has the perfect place to snuggle.

How to Choose the Perfect Dog Bed

Try our tips to keep your cat mentally stimulated – you, your cat and your furniture will thank us! 

Cat Toys and Enrichment Ideas for Indoor Cats

If your dog seems to be licking everything lately, you’re not alone.

Why Is My Dog Licking So Much?

Discover seven essential tips to keep your cat warm and comfortable this winter.

7 Tips to Keep Your Cat Cosy in Winter

A dog sits in a bed while wearing a jumper

Baby, it’s cold outside – but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself with your pet! From bedding updates to pet clothes and wet-weather activity ideas, here are our top tips to get you through a fuss-free winter season.

7 Tips to Prepare Your Dog for Winter

Feeding, rugging and shelter... there's plenty to consider when winter rolls around.

Caring for Your Horse in Winter: Rugging & Feeding

Keeping your cat engaged and stimulated during the colder months is essential for their mental and physical well-being. Here are some effective cat enrichment strategies to help your feline friend thrive this winter.

Cat Enrichment Tips for Winter

A dog wears a puffer jacket in the forest

In this guide, we'll explore the best dog-friendly winter getaways and travel ideas in Victoria. From cosy cabins in the snow to dog-friendly activities around the city, Victoria has plenty to offer.

Dog-Friendly Winter Getaways and Travel Ideas in Victoria

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear about, is that dogs don’t need to be groomed (or groomed minimally) during the winter months. The belief is that the dog requires the coat to grow long for the dog to stay warm.

Is Grooming Required During Winter?

Sometimes, your horse needs a hand staying warm, dry and comfortable when the weather turns. That’s where rugging comes in. 

How to Rug Your Horse for Winter

Petstock Vet, Dr Kathy Macmillan, shares her top tips to keep your dog warm, comfortable and healthy all season long. 

How to Care for Dogs in Winter

Between softened soles and seasonal flare-ups like thrush, winter can be tough on your horse’s feet. 

Winter Hoof Care Guide for Horses

Winter Advice

A puppy health check is exactly what it sounds like: a full nose-to-tail assessment by a vet to make sure your new arrival is developing well. 

What to Expect at Your Puppy's First Health Check

Dog heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and lungs of dogs and is spread by mosquitoes. 

Heartworm: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Ear care is one of those things most dog parents aren’t totally sure about – how often to clean, what products to use, or when it’s time to leave it to the vet. 

Why Do My Dog’s Ears Smell? How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears 

Muzzles aren’t just for ‘bad dogs’. They’re a smart, safe tool for everyday adventures.

Demystifying Dog Muzzles: What Every Owner Needs to Know

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.

A lonely dog will bark for different reasons than a protective one, and the solutions aren’t always the same.

How to Stop Your Dog Barking

Choosing the right dog for your family is an important decision that can bring years of joy and companionship. 

Top 20 Family Dogs Australia

Popular Dog Blogs

While adjusting to kitten life is one thing, navigating the legal side of pet ownership is another entirely.

Microchipping and Registering Your Kitten

Learn more about the procedure for both male and female cats with advice from our Petstock VET team.

Cat Desexing for Females & Males: Age, Care and Cost

Cat spraying is a common behaviour in cats, mostly displayed when your cat is marking their territory or stressed. Find out more about why your cat might be spraying and what you can do to prevent it.



Cat Spraying: Why Cats Spray And How To Stop Cats From Spraying

Got a new kitten? Here’s everything you need to know about kitten worms, worming and treatment. Discover all the details, and get all the smarts.

Worming Kittens: Symptoms & Treatment for Worms

Cat enclosures, sometimes called catios, are the ideal solution to allow your cat to safely enjoy the great outdoors. In a Guest Post for Pet Smarts, Aussie vet and TV personality Dr Katrina Warren breaks down the five key benefits of cat enclosures.

5 Benefits of Cat Enclosures

If your cat’s scratching is beginning to destroy your beloved furniture, hang in there. We’ve got some tips on how to redirect your cat’s scratching behaviour, as well as some product picks to help ease the destruction.

How to Stop Cats Scratching Furniture

Cats over the age of 7 are considered senior meaning they have different requirements. By following these care tips, you can ensure that your senior cat gets the most out of their later years of life.

Caring for a Senior Cat: Top Care Tips

Choosing a cat to join your family is an exciting time! With so many breeds to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one will be the right fit. 

Cat Breeds: Most Affectionate Cat Breed

The good news is that both wet food and dry food can be great options… depending on your cat.

Wet Food or Dry Food: What Should I Feed My Cat?

Popular Cat Blogs

Here’s how to make winter coat care easier for both you and your horse.

Grooming Your Horse in Winter: Winter Coats & Shedding

A horse’s gut runs 24/7, breaking down feed, absorbing nutrients, and fuelling everything from muscle power to mental focus. 

Gut Health and Digestive Care Guide for Horses

A bit of proactive care now can save you and your horse a lot of trouble later.

Keeping Your Horse’s Joints Healthy for the Long Ride

We’re breaking it down: when to boot, when to bandage, and when to leave legs be.

Dressing for Success: Horse Boots or Bandages?

Winter Horse Care

Small animals rely on humans to keep their world clean, secure and safe.

Small Animal Health, Safety & First Aid Checklist

All too often, hutches are treated as all function, no style. (Or all style, no function.)

7 Thoughtful Ways to Upgrade Your Small Animal Hutch

Rabbits are clever, social creatures who thrive on stimulation and connection. Without it, they can become bored, frustrated… even destructive.

Rabbit Enrichment Ideas and Toys

Everything you need to know about rabbit vaccinations, worming and de-sexing. Discover all the details, and get all the smarts.

Rabbit Vaccinations, Worming & Desexing

Whether you're considering getting a pet rat or mouse or you're already a proud owner, this guide will help you provide the best care possible.

Pet Rat and Mice Care Guide

Rabbits eat a variety of foods, find out what exactly your rabbit should be eating.

What Do Rabbits Eat? Learn What to Feed Rabbits

When it comes to choosing the right vegetables, it’s important to know which ones are safe and beneficial for your pet. 

What Vegetables Can Rabbits Eat?

Popular Small Animal Blogs

Here’s a quick guide to setting up your new fish tank. We'll cover everything from the step-by-step process, to the finer details of the fish tank.

How To Set Up A Fish Tank

The right fish tank setup can mean the difference between a hassle – and a thriving aquarium. Here's our best tips and advice.

How to Create the Perfect Habitat for Your Fish with Aqua One

Struggling to choose a fish tank? Check out our guide to choosing a fish tank here!

How to Choose a Fish Tank

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

It’s important to consider your scaly friends and ensure they’re well taken care of while you’re away. 

Caring for & Feeding Fish While on Holiday

Got a new fish or thinking about a new fish? Here are some steps and a video on how to regularly clean and maintain your fish tank.

How to Clean a Fish Tank

Popular Fish Blogs

 Dr Chris Brown from Bondi Vet reveals how long your cat can go without you. 

How Quickly Do Cats Unravel Without Us?

Dr Chris Brown conducted a livestream Q&A. Here are our favourite answers.

Cat FAQs with Dr Chris Brown

Summer is a great time to get out there with your pet, but it poses some risks. 

Summer Vet Guide for Dogs | Health & First Aid Tips

Dr Chris Brown from Bondi Vet gives insight on how to spot the early warning signs of arthritis.

How to Spot the 3 Earliest Signs of Arthritis

Dog FAQs with Dr Chris Brown

Dr Chris Brown guides you through the hidden meanings of your cat’s litterbox.

Why That Litter Tray Tells You Everything

Dr Fiona Smith shares the details on how dogs can donate blood.

Dog Blood Donation: Dogs Giving Blood to Save Lives

Dr Chris Brown from Bondi Vet breaks down why your fur baby seeks out the forbidden brown fruit.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poo?

Dr Natalia Li shares everything you need to know about how to treat and get rid of fleas on your cat.

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