Four ways to keep pets healthy

MANILA, Philippines – Healthy pets require a nutritious and balanced diet, plus a whole lot more. The Bow & Wow Times, an online newsletter of Bow & Wow, the country’s first and only all-natural pet store for dogs and cats, gives helpful reminders for pet parents, especially first-timers.

1. Groom them. Giving your pet a regular grooming schedule does not only keep them looking neat and adorable, but also gets their blood circulation going. When you groom your pet personally, you may create a bond with your furry friend, while at the same time help in shedding off buildup of old skin and fur, which allows you to check for any inflammation. 

 2. Let them socialize. Pets are social by nature, and this can help promote healthy behavior. Most furbabies need a friend. When raised together, furbabies can be friends with each other. Cats and dogs are known to get along if they grow up together, and even with other animals such as horses, rabbits, turtles, goats, and chickens. According to americanhumane.org, the best time to socialize pets is while they are still young. 

3. Train them. To keep your furbabies’ heads well used, train them. The bonding that comes from helping your pet improve themselves can slow down age-related cognitive decline. The stimulation and challenge your pet gets from learning a new skill, without getting too scientific, simply indicates that a learning brain is a healthy brain. Training pups will also ensure that dogs integrate well with society.

4. Know them. Some pet parents tend to pamper or be obsessed with their furbabies. From all the duly documented cute moments to understanding every noise, quirk, and habit, closely observing one’s pet has advantages. The reason is to know your pet’s general disposition. Dogs and cats have their own personalities, and knowing a pet well provides a reference point to when something is off. If you find your furbaby is acting more aggressive, more lethargic, eating less, etc., this behavior may be the first indication that something is wrong.

For other helpful tips and information, visit   www.bowandwow.com.ph.  

Bow & Wow is located at Level 6 of Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City; at the lower ground floor of Greenbelt 5, Makati City; at the 2nd floor, Al Fresco, Robinsons Magnolia in New Manila, Quezon City; at the ground floor of Excelsior in Eastwood City, Libis, Q.C.; and at Ayala Center, Cebu.