Dog Show: Dogs along with their owners are competing to win first place in a competitive dog competition.

Pets are a hassle to take care but for their owners, they are worth all the trouble.

“I love my dogs because they’re just so friendly and loving,” Agata, who works in sales, said during a recent pet expo at the Indonesian Convention Exhibition (ICE) in Tangerang, Banten.

“When I come home, they’re already there waiting for me. They make me feel like I’m not alone,” she added.

Anyone who has a dog or any pet can relate to what Agata said. Pets are loyal, loving and friendly. They never judge and they fill their owners’ lives with joy and happiness.

During the expo, thousands of pet owners flocked to the ICE halls for the pet-related products, personal consultations and seminars.

One of the main highlights was the pet care section because any owner knows that the health and wellness of their pets is very important.

Looking around, there were stalls and booths for all kinds of pet health and wellness products at every turn, ranging from well-known commercial brands to less popular ones focusing on healthier alternatives.

Most pet owners who visited the expo agreed that the key to their pets’ happiness was to give them the best care and to invest in good products.

“I have to give my dog proper care so that he can stay with me for as long as possible. I don’t want to regret not giving my all for my best friend,” said a visitor, Clement, who owns a maltese dog.

There are various ways to keep pets well-nourished and fit. Dog owners, for example, can set up a good exercise routine to keep them active while at the same time providing them with the right diet, supplements and grooming products.

The products on display at the convention also showed that there is a rising trend among pet-related product manufacturers to provide pet owners with natural and organic options, which are considered healthier. These natural and organic alternatives cover everything from kibbles to food and even shampoos and conditioners.

“Products that are minimally processed and have less harmful ingredients are best for animals because we are only assisting the natural bodily systems that they already have,” a vendor staff member, Adhitya, said during the expo.

Eventually, a healthy pet also equals a healthy owner. Pets live in close proximity with their owners on a daily basis and if they are not properly cared for, there is a dangerous risk of disease contamination.

Medicalnewstoday.com has also revealed that based on a compilation of academic studies, having a healthy pet also benefits people with mental health issues. These findings revealed that pets allow people to experience a profound feeling of “ontological security”, where they can feel stable and safe.

By connecting with pets through touch, they keep us anxiety-free and distract us from other problems by releasing oxytocin, the hormone related to love and stress relief.

However, pets that do not receive the right care and are neglected or mistreated, will experience their own mental health issues and their owners will eventually experience negative side effects.

Therefore, it is important that pet owners truly love their pets and take good care of them. Treat them like a family member and they will return the favor tenfold.

— The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post

— Photos by Clarissa Aurielle

Popular

To my horror, it’s just a movie!

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Pentagon chief congratulates Prabowo on being elected President