In a recent collaboration, Royal Canin asked me to share how to take care of pets and give five tips to new pet parents. As a proud pet parent of Booboo, my 10-year-old Shih Tzu, and Bellatrix, my 3-year-old Persian Doll Face, I’m excited to share below some things I’ve learned throughout the years!
1. Make sure their vaccines are updated.
I never missed a vaccination schedule. It was always logged in my calendar for the past 10 years for Booboo and 3 years for Bellatrix. From 5-in-1, to anti-rabies, to heartworm prevention shots—I always made sure they were up-to-date to prevent illness or infection. I’m so lucky that their vet happens to be my brother’s girlfriend and was a top-notcher during her board exams!
For any concerns or questions I have, she’s just a message away. She also taught me how to be a responsible pet parent and how to take care of pets properly.2. Have them neutered or spayed.
Bellatrix was spayed as soon as she was allowed to be. Meanwhile, Booboo was neutered at 5 years old after he had a litter of puppies with his wife, Sushi. (Different friends adopted these puppies eventually). If you don’t want to accidentally have a litter that you can’t take care of, I highly recommend having your pet neutered or spayed. If you research—neutering or spaying has a lot of other health benefits, too. These include reducing the chances of cancer and uterine infections.
3. Invest in a water fountain.
If you have a cat, invest in a water fountain. Water fountains re-circulate and filter the water, making it taste fresher. It removes odor and impurities, plus it’s generally healthier than stale water, which is prone to collecting debris or mosquito eggs. The moment we invested in one, we noticed that Bella started drinking more often! We didn’t worry anymore if she was drinking enough or if she might be dehydrated.
4. Make sure they only eat quality food.
On the other hand, Bellatrix loves the Persian Adult Dry kibble. It has an exclusive formula full of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which is good for her health. It also maintains her long coat, has a special almond-shaped design to make it easier for her to pick up and chew, reduces hairball, and helps take care of her urinary system.
5. Having a pet is a commitment.
Get ready to spend at least P2,500 a month on food, treats, vitamins, kitty litter, toys, and other supplies. Twice a year, I spend about P5,000 on vaccines and tests (especially since Booboo gets checked every 6 months). Aside from the finances, we had to adjust our lifestyle to them. The Cupcake even jokes that when he married me, he married Booboo and Bellatrix, too. (But I’m so lucky he fell in love with them as much as I did.) Every decision we make needs to also take their welfare and happiness into consideration.
So those are just a few tips I can share with new pet parents. If you have any questions on how to take care of pets, feel free to post them in the comments! I’ll be sure to answer them right away.
Don’t forget to also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated with all things beauty and lifestyle. I hope you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel and check out Greta’s Junkshop!