The Vet Talks: Best Pet Choices for Pinoys

If you look into any random Filipino household, I am sure you’ll find a non-human resident that is very much part of the family. No, I am not talking about those that the homeowner would rather chase with a broom or a can of insecticide but those that she (or he) would proudly introduce to fist-time visitors.

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Yes, the world-renowned Filipino hospitality is not only limited to people from a different ethnicity but also to creatures from a different species. If you are thinking of owning one, allow me to give you a run-down of the pets that you are most likely to encounter inside an average Filipino household.

1. Dogs

Dogs are very much a part of the Filipino household that they have a generic name of their own: Bantay. To be quite honest, Bantay is actually generic term that commonly refers to a dog of uncertain ancestry, also known as Asong Pinoy (Philippine native dog). Bantay, in the native tongue, means "guard", as dogs have always been used to look after things while their owners are engaged with something else. While a large population of dog-owning households owns a native dog, more and more are beginning to own pure breed or mixed-breed dogs.

Families with kids are keen to own certain breeds that known for good temperament, and even large size like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Beagles. Individuals and new couples tend to go for small breeds that are easy to groom and maintain like Pugs, Chihuahuas, and the short-haired Terriers. Some however, take dog-ownership very seriously that they maintain their pets really well-groomed for pet shows.

Native, Purebred, or mixed-bred dogs all serve the same purpose: companionship. After a day's work, we all love to go home to a canine friend waggling his tail like crazy in order to catch our attention. And isn't a nuzzling dog the sweetest thing ever?

Here are things to remember when you want to own a dog. Find the right dog whose personality fits you and your lifestyle. If you choose to own a purebred dog, research about the breed so as to know what to expect. More importantly, if you have no plans to breeding, have your dog spayed.

2. Cats

While dogs are very sweet creatures, taking care of them can really be a challenge sometimes. Depending on the breed (or lack of it), they need to be taken out for exercise and even groomed. All of these really take time. Perhaps these are the reasons that many have take taken a liking to taking care of cats instead. After dogs, these animals are the next most common pets in Filipino households (in my opinion). They also have a generic name: Muning. Muning might refer to the sound they create most especially when they are still kittens.

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Owning a cat is a lot more convenient than owning a dog, especially for those that live alone. You can leave a cat alone (though better if with another cat for companion) with a toy, water and food dish, and a good litter box. Cat-owning families usually let their cats wander around the house, and wait for them to come back before sunset expecting food. Well, maybe that's just my cat. Anyway. They don’t require much attention, but when they do, they can be very sweet. Until you begin to bore them.

But really, cats can be as sweet and loyal as dogs. They won’t usually throw themselves at you when you get home, but during the most unexpected moment, maybe while you're finishing some work you brought home, you'll feel their furry tails and heads nuzzling at your legs.

Cats breed faster than dogs. If you have no intentions of breeding it, always have your pet cat spayed. Changing the litter box regularly is the most challenging part of keeping a house cat, however it’s the key to keeping a cat healthy.

3. Fish

Finding an aquarium inside a Filipino home is so common nowadays. Many are beginning to get used to the idea of benefiting from having a pet without the hassles of owning one. Many studies have concluded that merely watching fish swimming in aquariums can reduce stress, and more studies are pointing to more health benefits. Some families even set up small ponds outside the house to keep a number of ornamental fishes. The usual fishes that people keep in aquariums range from the goldfish, which is very docile and can be kept with other fish, the Siamese fighting fish, which must kept in its own aquarium because it will kill any company it has, to the Arowana, which is usually kept in a large aquarium since it can grow really big.

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Keeping a pet fish is very ideal for most professionals that live alone in condominiums not only because it is very relaxing but also because most condominiums do not allow dogs and cats in the building.

While keeping a pet fish is not as demanding as keeping a cat or a dog, it is always better to check the water quality of the aquarium and often as necessary.

4. Rodents

Perhaps the idea of owning non-conventional pets started with the different rodents that people keep in small see-through plastic boxes with air holes on top. Rabbits are perhaps the most commonly kept rodents. They usually kept in cages outside the house because they can grow really big. These adorable creatures are docile, furry and completely adorable. Sometimes they are let out around the yard for exercise, usually away from dogs and even cats that might scare them to death. Pet rabbits might be more common in suburbs and small villages than in cities. Another rodent that people usually keep is hamsters. Hamsters are smaller and so they can be kept in small cages inside the house. These gentle creatures usually pose no harm as for as long as they are handled carefully. Rabbits and Hamsters are usually fed with greens or commercial pellets. They are relatively easy to manage. Feeding them once a day and changing the beddings twice a week is enough to keep them happy.

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Other rodent pets include, the guinea pig, those ICR mice (yes, the lab mouse), and even the Sprague-Dawley rats (yes, the lab rat). Special care must be undertaken if one chooses to keep the last two species as pets.

5. Exotic Pets

Although rare, one might find in some homes animals that are more appropriately found in zoos or parks. Some people take these animals as gifts, but some really go through the painstaking process of acquiring special permits for the care of these animals. Perhaps they find the usual pets too boring and common? Maybe. Perhaps it’s love at first sight? Only an owner of an exotic pet can tell.

Common exotic pets that I've seen around people's homes include monkeys, eagles, snakes, tigers, and crocodiles. Yes, these animals might actually pose danger to the members of the household (exactly why the government require special permits for owning them), but some pet owners see them as pets: a source of companionship, stress reliever, and what-have-you. 

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Usually, those who own these exotic pets are those who have some money to burn. Apart from the expensive permits, these animals usually require special diets and other needs that one might not readily find in the neighborhood pet shop. Also, it is of utmost importance to thoroughly research and seek the opinion of wildlife specialists before attempting to own an exotic pet.

Let us remember though that once we become pet owners, we become responsible to the needs of these creatures. They become entirely dependent on us for their food and shelter. But we also get something from them in return: companionship and loyalty (well, at least for most of them).