SO you finally bought a pet, or you’ve been seeing a bunch of TikTok videos of cute animals. But you haven’t done any research yet, and you don’t know the first thing about having a pet!
Some believe that having a pet is easy – at least, much easier than having a child, for example – and to an extent, that is true. However, there are also many ways in which having a pet is like having a child, and you need to be ready for that responsibility.
From one furparent to another, here’s what these Gen Zs recommend to first-time furparents.
- Always remember to take care of their health.
Twenty-eight-year-old Iñaki Pelonio has had his two dogs, Nero and Appa, since 2018 and 2020, respectively. They have grown to be his best friends over time, bringing him comfort when he was struggling to find work.
He’s had pets since he was a kid, so Pelonio has been a furparent his entire life.
Perhaps the biggest piece of advice Pelonio can give to furparents just starting is always to take care of your pet’s health, whether it’s a dog, a goldfish, or whatever else.
“They’re living beings too; they may not say it directly, but look for signs that they may be in distress,” he shared.
Some signs that you may need to bring your pet to the vet are the following:
- Changes in their eating / drinking habits
- Difficulty / rapid breathing
- Vomiting / stool changes
- Lack of energy
- Poor balance / difficulty moving
- Irritated / weeping / red eyes
- Wincing / whining / crying
- Sudden unusual / aggressive behavior
- Rashes
- Skin / hair changes
However, you shouldn’t just bring them to the vet whenever they’re sick.
Isay Halaba is the Communication and Campaign Officer at the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF,) an organization established in 2000 by British animal welfare advocate Charles Wartenberg.
He first started it to focus on stopping the dog meat trade prevalent in the Philippines up until now, but the foundation has since expanded its advocacies and put up a center dedicated to caring for animals in 2006.
Now, they rescue not only dogs, but cats, pigs, hens, and several other animals, establishing themselves as an organization dedicated to animal welfare as a whole.
At AKF, Halaba explains that they have their vets always present with their animals, and even have kennel mates manning each kennel to take care of the animals residing there. The vets are present to constantly monitor and check on the animals, and Halaba recommends that pet owners have their own vet, as well.
Your pet must be given all the immunizations and vaccinations that they need, as well as constant visits to the vet to ensure that they’re in tip-top shape.
“Wag natin antayin na magkasakit sila; we have to make sure that they’re very good physically, [na] nache-check sila ng mga vet,” she said.
- Spend time with them.
Pelonio reminds furparents that while our lives are short, the lives of our pets are even shorter.
“I mean… what would you do if the only person you loved neglected you?” he asked.
“Make sure to give them the best quality of life you can give [them,] and shower them with affection in [the] ways they – or you – know how.”
Spending time with your pets is a win-win situation. Simply taking your dog out for a walk or cuddling up to them, for example, helps to enhance your mood as well as reduce stress and anxiety.
Twenty-two-year-old Jan Charlemagne, for example, has had her two Pomeranians, Pupper and Tina, and her cat, Snoopy, for years now. Like Pelonio, she’s been a furparent ever since she was a child.
“It’s been great ever since we got pets,” she shared.
Her dog Pupper is very emotionally intelligent, so whenever she or her family are feeling down, he always stays by their side, trying his best to cheer them up. Their other dog Tina has even become the emotional support animal of Charlemagne’s sister, because of how much she’s always by her side.
For your pet, physical activity, attention, and care are greatly needed to keep them both healthy and happy.
They may not be with you forever, but to them, you are their whole life. It’s important to remember that and to treat them as such.
- Avoid wheat-based pet food.
One thing Pelonio recommends? If you can afford to avoid wheat-based pet food, then avoid it.
He explains that your dog doesn’t get the nutrients they need from these types of food.
The Little Pet Biscuit Co. further states that wheat is often used as a cheaper substitute for certain animal proteins such as meat and fish, hence why they are sold for such low prices.
If you’re unsure of which pet foods contain wheat, you can always check the ingredients on the packaging.
It’s recommended to instead serve them natural pet food, or to add food that has nutritional value to their meals, such as meat and vegetables.
It’s also important to have snacks for your pet, too! For dogs, Charlemagne recommends Pedigree’s meat jerky. Meanwhile, she gets any brand of cat treats for her cat Snoopy, because he isn’t that picky.
Treats are a great incentive to learn when training your dog, as well, so be sure to always keep them handy.
- Be ready to make changes in your lifestyle.
One thing you need to know about owning a pet is that it’s going to cost you a lot of money. From the vet bills and food alone, you’re going to be shelling out some serious cash. If you’re used to just spending money on your wants and needs, you’ll have to make some adjustments if you want to add another member to your family.
27-year-old Lei Anya Chun, who’s part of the Social Media Team over at republicasia, owns three cats and one dog alongside her boyfriend Sam.
For her, coming home to her pets is the highlight of her day; as soon as she sees them, she immediately feels all her stress melt away.
She notes that it’s extremely important to have financial stability before getting a pet; while being a furparent is much cheaper than actually having a kid, it can still be pricey, hence why you need to have your finances secured to ensure you can give your pet their daily needs. You should also have money handy for vet emergencies, of course.
Investing in toys and grooming is also very important, according to Chun. They need constant stimulation, and should also have their teeth and ears regularly cleaned to avoid complications.
If you’re not a very social or physically active person, these are things that you’re going to need to change, as well.
There are times when pet owners may see their dogs or cats start to act out at home. They suddenly become more aggressive or start biting and ripping things up. Halaba explains that it’s not because they’re bad animals – they’re just bored.
This is why socialization and physical exercise are important to an animal, especially if you want to avoid them developing attitude problems.
As a pet owner, you need to be prepared to put in the time in effort, whether that means bringing your pet out to the park to help them meet other animals (but make sure they’ve had all their vaccinations done before doing so,) or taking them out for a walk at least once a day to make sure they’re getting all the exercise they need.
If anything, it’ll help you to become a more social and active person as well, so honestly, it’s kind of a win-win.
- Always have patience.
While this is true of taking on any responsibility as big as this, it’s important to remember that your pet looks up to you for guidance. You are their parent, their teacher, and their friend, all in one.
There are going to be times wherein they will pee where they shouldn’t, or chew on things they don’t know the value of.
In those times, you need to be patient with them and understand that they don’t know what they’re doing, which is why you need to teach them what they should and shouldn’t do.
“Most people don’t realize that pets can get anxiety or depression,” Charlemagne shared.
“If you’re hot-heated towards them, it could affect their well-being.”
In Britain, for example, it was found that around 75% of dogs showed signs of depression or anxiety, with only 36% of owners recognizing their symptoms.
In any situation, it’s important to be kind, especially when it comes to your furbaby.
- Do. Lots. Of. Research.
Remember: every animal and every breed is different. There are some breeds of dogs known to be more playful for example, and others known to be more calm.
It’s important to know about all the things you need for the animal you’re getting, as well as the kind of environment they need to live in and the amount of care or attention you’re going to need to give them.
Something else you should study up on is the body language of the pet that you’re getting. Halaba, for example, notes that if you see your pet suddenly giving you a certain look, or if you see their hairs start to rise, it may mean that you need to give them space.
And even when you do have a pet, your research doesn’t stop there because again, every animal is different. Would you know what to do if your cat were to get sick, for example? Or if they were to start choking on something? All these and more are things that should be learned before you get a pet, not after.
Being a furparent is a constant job, and it’s one wherein you have to be prepared for any possible situation that comes up. All of that hard work is worth it in the end, anyway, when you get to come home after a long day to your pet’s happy face and comforting hugs.
