Latest news with #OljaJovovich
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Too Cold For You? It's Too Cold For Your Pet Too, Says Petdirect Vet
Press Release – Petdirect Auckland, NZ – Tuesday 27 May 2025 – As New Zealand heads into its coldest months, Petdirect's in-house veterinarian, Dr. Olja Jovovich, is urging pet owners to treat winter as seriously for their pets as they do for themselves. Her key advice? 'If you're feeling the chill, your pet probably is too—keep them warm, dry, and comfortable,' says Dr. Jovovich. From shivering Whippets to indoor-bound grumpy cats, winter poses risks that many pet owners overlook. Dr. Jovovich shares essential tips to ensure pets stay healthy and happy when temperatures drop. How cold is too cold? 'A good rule of thumb is this: if you need a jacket, your dog might too,' says Dr. Jovovich. Below 10°C, small, short-haired, or senior dogs should always wear a warm coat when heading outdoors. While cats don't need jackets, they do need shelter, warmth, and the ability to come indoors freely. Signs your pet is feeling the cold Common signs include shivering, a hunched posture with tail tucked in, cold ears and paws, sluggish movement, and reluctance to go outside (which may lead to toileting accidents indoors). 'If your cat doesn't have a litter tray, they're even more at risk of developing stress-related health issues,' adds Dr. Jovovich. Winter-proofing your home Dr. Jovovich suggests raising pet beds off cold floors, using pet-safe heat pads (never electric blankets), and making sure cats have clean indoor litter trays. She recommends keeping pets stimulated with puzzle feeders. 'Rainy days don't have to mean lazy days,' she says. 'Mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercise. Interactive puzzle toys are a great way to keep your pet's brain engaged and help prevent boredom during those indoor days.' Don't forget the paws 'Cold weather can cause painful irritation to your pet's paws, especially in colder parts of New Zealand, like down south where frosty conditions are common,' warns Dr. Jovovich. She recommends wiping or washing paws after walks, applying paw balm before and after outings, and using booties in particularly cold conditions—if the dog tolerates them. Short-haired, thin-coated, small, senior, or low-body-fat breeds—like Whippets, Greyhounds, Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers—should wear jackets when outdoors in the cold. Food, supplements and hydration Unless a pet's activity increases significantly in winter, there's no need to adjust their diet. Dr. Jovovich notes that most pets on a balanced or prescription diet won't need extra supplements. However, hydration still matters: 'Heaters dry out the air, so consider offering more wet food and using water fountains to encourage drinking—especially for cats.' Common seasonal risks Dr. Jovovich sees a range of winter-related issues, including: Urinary problems in cats from 'holding on' due to cold or lack of litter trays Arthritis flare-ups, especially in older pets Unnoticed weight gain from lower activity levels Dry skin and dull coats, particularly in areas with drier air Breathing issues in flat-faced breeds exposed to cold or dry conditions Dr. Jovovich's final tip for all pet owners: 'If you're cold, your pet probably is too—keep them warm, dry, and comfortable this winter.'' About Petdirect Petdirect's mission is to become New Zealand's most trusted and convenient destination for pet owners. Launched just as the country entered its first lockdown in March 2020, Petdirect quickly emerged as a leader in the online pet specialty space. By combining a wide range of premium products and services with exceptional customer care and consistently competitive pricing, Petdirect built a loyal customer base and earned the top spot in the online pet specialty market by July 2023.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Too Cold For You? It's Too Cold For Your Pet Too, Says Petdirect Vet
Press Release: Petdirect Auckland, NZ – Tuesday 27 May 2025 – As New Zealand heads into its coldest months, Petdirect's in-house veterinarian, Dr. Olja Jovovich, is urging pet owners to treat winter as seriously for their pets as they do for themselves. Her key advice? 'If you're feeling the chill, your pet probably is too—keep them warm, dry, and comfortable,' says Dr. Jovovich. From shivering Whippets to indoor-bound grumpy cats, winter poses risks that many pet owners overlook. Dr. Jovovich shares essential tips to ensure pets stay healthy and happy when temperatures drop. How cold is too cold? 'A good rule of thumb is this: if you need a jacket, your dog might too,' says Dr. Jovovich. Below 10°C, small, short-haired, or senior dogs should always wear a warm coat when heading outdoors. While cats don't need jackets, they do need shelter, warmth, and the ability to come indoors freely. Signs your pet is feeling the cold Common signs include shivering, a hunched posture with tail tucked in, cold ears and paws, sluggish movement, and reluctance to go outside (which may lead to toileting accidents indoors). 'If your cat doesn't have a litter tray, they're even more at risk of developing stress-related health issues,' adds Dr. Jovovich. Winter-proofing your home Dr. Jovovich suggests raising pet beds off cold floors, using pet-safe heat pads (never electric blankets), and making sure cats have clean indoor litter trays. She recommends keeping pets stimulated with puzzle feeders. 'Rainy days don't have to mean lazy days,' she says. 'Mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercise. Interactive puzzle toys are a great way to keep your pet's brain engaged and help prevent boredom during those indoor days.' Don't forget the paws 'Cold weather can cause painful irritation to your pet's paws, especially in colder parts of New Zealand, like down south where frosty conditions are common,' warns Dr. Jovovich. She recommends wiping or washing paws after walks, applying paw balm before and after outings, and using booties in particularly cold conditions—if the dog tolerates them. Short-haired, thin-coated, small, senior, or low-body-fat breeds—like Whippets, Greyhounds, Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers—should wear jackets when outdoors in the cold. Food, supplements and hydration Unless a pet's activity increases significantly in winter, there's no need to adjust their diet. Dr. Jovovich notes that most pets on a balanced or prescription diet won't need extra supplements. However, hydration still matters: 'Heaters dry out the air, so consider offering more wet food and using water fountains to encourage drinking—especially for cats.' Common seasonal risks Dr. Jovovich sees a range of winter-related issues, including: Urinary problems in cats from 'holding on' due to cold or lack of litter trays Arthritis flare-ups, especially in older pets Unnoticed weight gain from lower activity levels Dry skin and dull coats, particularly in areas with drier air Breathing issues in flat-faced breeds exposed to cold or dry conditions Dr. Jovovich's final tip for all pet owners: 'If you're cold, your pet probably is too—keep them warm, dry, and comfortable this winter.'" About Petdirect Petdirect's mission is to become New Zealand's most trusted and convenient destination for pet owners. Launched just as the country entered its first lockdown in March 2020, Petdirect quickly emerged as a leader in the online pet specialty space. By combining a wide range of premium products and services with exceptional customer care and consistently competitive pricing, Petdirect built a loyal customer base and earned the top spot in the online pet specialty market by July 2023.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Petdirect Appoints Chief Veterinary Officer To Lead Growth Of NZ's Leading Online Prescription Pet Pharmacy
Press Release: Petdirect Following the successful launch of Petdirect Pharmacy in 2024, Petdirect has appointed Dr Olja Jovovich as its first Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) to lead the next phase of growth for New Zealand's most trusted online destination for prescription pet medications. With more Kiwi pet parents managing chronic conditions and long-term treatment plans for their pets, demand for at-home access to prescription medications has surged. Dr Jovovich's appointment reflects Petdirect's commitment to clinical integrity, veterinary oversight and customer confidence as the company scales. 'I'm thrilled to join a company that's leading the way in shaping the future of pet health and wellness in New Zealand,' says Dr Jovovich. 'Petdirect's focus on innovation, trusted advice and proactive care aligns strongly with my values as a veterinarian. I'm excited to help ensure our prescription pharmacy continues to deliver safe, reliable support for pets across Aotearoa.' Petdirect Pharmacy, launched in June 2024, provides round-the-clock online access to prescription-only pet medications. The service's Autodeliver feature ensures no script goes unfilled, helping pet parents stay on track with long-term medication plans. 'At-home access to prescription pet medications is no longer a nice-to-have—it's fast becoming a baseline expectation,' says Dr Jovovich. 'My role is to help grow this service responsibly, making sure we lead with veterinary standards and the trust of our customers.' At a time when many New Zealanders are feeling the squeeze, Petdirect Pharmacy offers savings of up to 50% on prescription pet medications compared to leading vet groups. 'Whether it's long-term medication or preventive treatments, our mission is to ensure more pets nationwide have access to the care they need,' adds Dr Jovovich. Dr Jovovich brings over a decade of veterinary experience to Petdirect, including serving as Regional Clinical Director at Animates Vetcare, where she oversaw policy and standards across 15 clinics, and as CPD Manager at Practical CPD, where she led national professional development for vets and nurses. As Chief Veterinary Officer at Petdirect, she will guide clinical governance, shape customer education, and ensure ongoing regulatory compliance across all prescription pharmacy services. Dave Anderson, CEO of Petdirect, says: 'Olja's appointment is a pivotal moment for our business. She brings deep expertise and leadership as we scale Petdirect Pharmacy to meet rising demand. We launched the pharmacy to remove barriers to essential pet care, and now we're reinforcing it with world-class veterinary leadership.'
