Being a fur parent is like being an actual parent to a human baby. It is a huge responsibility that no one will ever understand unless you become one. Aside from making sure that you are serving them healthy foods, you also need to protect them from getting sick (by giving them different kinds of vitamins and vaccinations for an immune boost), bathe and groom them once a week, teach them basic commands, reward them with toys and treats every now and then, and also provide them with other essential things such as diapers, strollers, and clothes. I, as a fur parent, am glad to have the opportunity to share these local gems that will help you in your journey to become your babies’ well-loved furrents!
Healthy treats: Paleo Pet (IG: @paleopet.ph)
Paleo Pet is a local brand that was founded in 2020 in Parañaque during the COVID-19 pandemic. The brand aims to provide nutritious, tasty, and easy-to-store and serve foods for dogs and cats. Just like any commercial kibble, they offer a wide range of varieties that you can choose from. They have meat pouches that come with beef meat, chicken meat, and pork meat flavors, which are made with 100% real human-grade meat, and yes, they have no preservatives, no fillers, and no artificial flavors, which gives you the assurance that your pets only eat fresh and wholesome food. They are mostly known for their salubrious treats, which also come in dried chicken, beef, and pork flavors. Their headquarters is located at 108 Aguirre Ave., Parañaque City, 1720 Metro Manila. They accept walk-in customers from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can also purchase their products through their flagship stores in Shopee and Lazada, as well as through their official website and their partners, Zacarias Animal Clinic (Pangasinan), Pawssentials Pet Store (Cagayan de Oro City), Bark Haus (Metro Manila), Furrs Pet Grooming and Supplies (Cebu City), Pet Priority Co. (Nueva Ecija), Edison Veterinary Services (Laguna), and Waggin’ Tails (Davao City).
Dental Care: Zert (IG: @zert.ph)
The oral health of our pets is just as important as our own. Now, some of you might not know that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three are experiencing serious forms of dental disease. While it can be costly to us and painful and uncomfortable to them, it will just be more difficult if it is left unprevented or untreated. A good oral routine can prevent them from getting a dental disease and can prevent plaque buildup and infections that can cause serious health problems. Aside from giving them appropriate food and brushing their teeth, a dental problem can also be prevented by giving your pets a fun and tasty treat that they will surely love. Zert Dentacare offers mouth-watering flavors for our picky-eating pets and for those who don’t do well with brushing their teeth. These dental sticks have six variants for you to choose from, including Strawberry Shortcake as their best-seller, Strawberry Gelato, Pistachio Gelato, Cheese Gelato, Blueberry Cheesecake, and Mango Cheesecake, which weigh a hundred and forty-eight grams. These dental sticks not only smell and taste good but also clean teeth, freshen breath, reduce plaque, and promote healthy gums. You can purchase Zert Dentacare through Shopee and Lazada, and it can also be found at Pet Express.
Vitamins and supplements: Healthy Paws
If you know Shang Ragasa, better known as Shang Pooches, a Youtube vlogger and Tiktok content creator, then sure enough, you’ve already heard about Healthy Paws’ Pet Supplements for dogs and cats. It also comes in different variants that target specific needs that you want to provide for your furries. First are the multivitamins, which include folic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D3, niacin, and ferrous succinate which are obviously cost-effective as they can supply the essential nutrients that will boost your pet’s immune system. The second variant is Bones and Teeth, which will help your pet have a healthy heart and nervous system and strengthen bones as they age. It includes calcium lactate, zinc, taurine, vitamin D, amino acid complex, calcium chloride, calcium propionate, and other growth factors. The third variant is probiotics, which help our pets have good digestion, help their bodies absorb vitamins easily, and have good bacteria to fight different digestive and intestinal problems. Like the previous variants that were mentioned, it also has good ingredients, which include Bacillus subtilis, natural yeast, lactic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, a pet nutritional supplement, protease, and lipase. And the fourth and last variant is Skin and Coat, which contains seaweed extract that delivers a healthy coat and helps fur grow. The ingredients are seaweed powder, fish liver oil, multivitamins, zinc, probiotics, niacin, natural plant extract, natural yeast, amino acids, and minerals. You also need to know that aside from the wide variety of beneficial supplements to choose from, there are also three different ways for them to take them. It is suggested to be used as a meal topper, given directly as a regular supplement, or hidden inside their favorite treats. Healthy Paws supplements are available on Shopee.
Food bowls and toys: Ollie Bowls (IG: @ollie.bowls)
Food and water bowls are essential and play a major role in pets’ health and wellness, as they are where food and water are served. Therefore, it also affects the quality and freshness of what we are giving to our pets. Ollie Bowls offers a creative, unique, and high-quality pet bowl in the local market. It is made of double-walled stainless steel to keep your pet’s water colder, to make cleaning easier, and to make it sturdier. It also has a silicone bottom that makes the bowl less likely to topple and move around. It comes in two sizes: the 32-ounce bowl that weighs 1 LB and the 64-ounce bowl that weighs 1.3 LB, which is an advantage as it is unlikely to spill whatever it contains.Each bowl comes in different colors and is also powder coated, which means that the paint on the exterior will last for a long time. The highlight of these bowls is that you can customize them with your pets’ faces along with their names. How cute is that, right? They also have cute and uncommon plush toys like a flamingo, a peacock, a cactus, a sunflower, and even a telephone that our furries will surely love. You can get your bowls and toys through their official website and also at pet fairs that they are joining.
Body Care: Fur Magic & Play Pets
Now on to the grooming part. I would personally recommend Fur Magic Shampoo and Dog Soap as your pets’ bathing essentials because they are formulated using high-grade oil extracts of Madre de Cacao, Neem, and Loe, which help skin and fur conditioning, reduce fur shedding, heal and cleanse wounds, and eliminate ticks, fleas, and mites. It also comes in three variants: blue, pink, and violet, which are all inspired by luxurious perfume scents and are long-lasting. On the other hand, Play Pets is well-known for their pet colognes, which cling to their skin and last for a long period of time. It comes in six variants, which include Azure Sky, Red Dream, Lavender Breeze, Fresh Cotton, Pink Candy, Anti-Tick, and Flea. Fur Magic and Play Pets are both available on Shopee, Lazada, or any Pet Express near you.
Clothes and accessories: Fildog Scarf, Ruffsack & Bark and Spark
This is a ‘want’ rather than a ‘need’, but who cares? Your pets deserve all the best things that life could offer, right? And I will tell you that this is the most fun part of being a fur parent, where you can dress them, style them, and flaunt them with their clothes and accessories. Let us first talk about clothes. Fildog Scarf (IG: @fildogscarf) not only offers polos, dresses, and scarves, but they also customize pet necklaces and are proud to be the first local curator of a pet barong. Yes, you heard it right! A barong! Which makes Fildog Scarf stand out the most, as they somehow showcase a part of our culture through our pets. Another uncommon and very unique way to style your pet is to have their own backpack. Yes, even pets can have their own backpacks, and it is the cutest thing! Ruffsack (IG: @ruffsackph) is the first local brand that offers beautiful handmade pet backpacks, and they are the ones you would want to reach out to as they provide pet backpacks that work not just as props but also serve the purpose of a real bag that carries a couple of little essentials like extra diapers, poop bags, pet wipes, and treats. Last but not least, it is for their safety. Bark and Spark (IG: @barkandspark) offers different stylish pieces of harnesses that come in a set, which includes a leash and a poop bag. All of these clothing and accessories can be purchased on their websites, on Shopee and Lazada, or at any Pet Express near you.
Diapers: FurriBuddies PH (IG: @furribudies.ph)
Owning a pet,especially a dog, obliges you to go outdoors and even indoors for walks. In some places, specifically malls, they would require pets to wear diapers to avoid loitering inside the establishment. While others may prefer a disposable one, I would love to promote a washable diaper, not just for the fact that it will save you a lot of money but also because it serves as a little way of helping our environment to reduce waste. Their washable diapers are adjustable for the legs, have adjustable snaps for closure, and are easy to clean. They also have a size chart as a guide for you to choose your pet’s diaper size accurately. You can order through their official website and their TikTok account.
Always remember that owning a pet is a serious matter. It comes with a great deal of responsibility, whether you bought them or adopted them; they require so much love, care, attention, and material things. If you think that you can’t deal with a lifetime commitment, please think a hundred times before getting one. Pets are a precious gift from above. They might require you to spend bucks from time to time; however, money will never be enough as compared to how they give unconditional love, friendship, and loyalty that sometimes most of us don’t deserve.
