While everyone is cooped up in their homes during the pandemic, the interest on pet ownership has increased considerably according to the Federation Cynologique Internationale, a kennel club industry in the Philippines. They have recorded that 46% of Filipino homes have pet cats and more than 11 million are dog owners.
The love for pets of Filipinos is evident not only in our country but even here in the Middle East. In fact, The Filipino Times has featured stories of Filipinos eagerly caring for our furry friends with some feeding and rescuing up to 800 stray cats and a Filipina currently who fosters 17 stray cats.
If you are a first-time pet owner in the UAE, you must know these key elements shared by experts in keeping your fur baby healthy and happy.
Key elements for general pet well-being
Giving your pet the right nutrition is halfway to taking care of their overall well-being. Being a pet owner is so much more than just feeding. Here are the basic elements that you should at least provide for your pet:
Food – the right amount of food will depend on your pets’ size, breed, and age.
You can ask the organization where you adopted your pet as to what is the best diet for your fur baby. Make sure to take note of their current diet and take some time before switching them off to a new food routine.
For cat rescuer Jonathan Corporal Sibol, who has fed more than 800 cats in Abu Dhabi, first time pet owners should establish a feeding time for pets.
“Sa food po need po ng discipline ng mga pet natin. Like human po, dapat may proper time po sila at healthy food,” said Sibol.
He also said that pet owners should refrain leaving food available anytime for pets as it disrupts their appetite, discipline, and excitement over food.
As basic knowledge, food items like grapes, mushrooms, avocado and chocolate are toxic food for dogs.
Water – Potable water should be available for your pets every day. Make sure to check their water bowls every now and then, especially before going to work. You can also train them to use automatic pet water dispensers.
“Yung tubig po usually, dapat pinapalitan twice daily kasi pag iniiwan possible na maging source of bacteria,” said Sibol.
Health Care – Making sure that your pet is vaccinated and is regularly checked up is one of the key elements in ensuring that your pet is free from rabies and other pet diseases. Register your pet in a veterinary clinic to make sure you get the most support and help in giving them proper care.
Filipina entrepreneur Liz Danganan who owns a pet nursery in Dubai called Cooper’s Crib shared with The Filipino Times that first time fur parents should not take health problems of pets too lightly.
“Always ensure that your dog is completely vaccinated. With a lot of viruses around, it is best that your dog is shielded from this. Take health problems seriously. Whenever you see that your dog is not feeling well, don’t experiment with home remedies rather bring them to the vet right away,” said Danganan.
Grooming – Pets should be washed and groomed on a regular basis. Ideally, dogs and cats need to be washed at least one a month or once every three weeks. Washing them too often can dry out and damager their fur.
For pet owners Pamela Branuelo and Cai Adel, proper grooming often reflects how well you care and love your pets. Their tip for first time pet owners in selecting a groomer is to check the shop’s online reviews.
“You should choose a well-experienced groomer because they are guaranteed to have long patience. Check first the reviews of the clinic or pet groomer and it would be good if they allow you to watch them groom their pets to make sure they don’t mishandle the pets,” said Adel.
In choosing the right groomer, they recommend checking if the grooming station is hygienic to make sure your pet won’t get any unwanted ticks or worms. They believe that grooming is essential because aside from a way to pamper your fur babies, keeping them clean helps them be free from sickness.
“If you will be grooming your own pets, first step is to check for any wounds or cuts to ensure that your pet won’t be uncomfortable during a bath or during the grooming process,” said Branuelo.
Exercise – Pets, especially dogs, require getting plenty of exercise each day. Walking your dog daily allows them to get some exercise and release their energy. Some unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking or howling or chewing are often linked with dogs not getting enough exercise.
For cats, you can keep them moving by placing toys around or using the classic trick of playing with lasers.
Bond with your pet – Love your pets and have fun with them. Play with them, give hem cuddles, and train them. Creating a routine with your pet will allow you to set up rules for your pets and maximize your time together.
“Always make time for your dog. They are basically kids in a four-legged form. Give them all the love you can give as you never know until when they will stay by your side,” said Danganan.
You can ask for support and guidance from fellow Filipino pet owners online by joining groups such as Filipino Street Paws and Pet Parents UAE.
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