Me and Eton recently dropped by Ayala Malls Manila Bay for the Puppy & Kitten Con! We don’t have any puppies or kittens at the moment, but as rescuers, events like this are a great opportunity to refresh our knowledge and learn new skills we can apply when we next care for little ones.
Welcoming a puppy or kitten into the family is a joyful milestone, but it is also a moment when many important health decisions are made—often before pet
parents have access to clear, trusted guidance. Recognizing this critical starting point, Royal Canin Philippines brought together pet parents, experts, and advocates at Puppy & Kitten Con, its flagship experiential event under Project Royal Beginnings, designed to support families during the vital Start of
Life stage for puppies and kittens.
Puppy & Kitten Con created a calm, reassuring space where first-time and soon-to-be pet parents could better understand how early nutrition, care, and daily choices shape a pet’s long-term health and wellbeing. Grounded in science but designed to feel approachable, the event translated complex principles into guidance that pet parents could apply in their everyday routines. At a stage where everything feels new, what many need most is not more information, but the confidence to know they are starting right.
Turning Early Uncertainty into Confidence
Across expert-led conversations, immersive learning zones, and guided discussions, Puppy & Kitten Con addressed a shared reality among many Filipino pet parents: while emotional investment is high at the start of pet ownership, early choices are often made quickly and without sufficient professional input.
Feeding habits, routines, and veterinary visits frequently take shape before expert guidance is introduced—creating gaps that can have lasting effects. During the event, Royal Canin specialists and veterinary professionals emphasized that the first months of a puppy or kitten’s life are a unique window. Decisions made at this stage influence immunity, development, digestion, and long-term resilience. Rather than overwhelming pet parents with information,
discussions focused on reassurance—showing how science-backed nutrition and care can be simple, supportive, and accessible from day one.
“Early care is not about getting everything right immediately—it’s about knowing when and where to seek guidance,” added Dr. Kitsie Torres, Health Affairs Manager at Royal Canin Philippines. “When pet parents understand why early nutrition and routines matter, science becomes reassuring rather than overwhelming. That confidence makes a real difference for both pets and families.”
We also learned that puppy and kitten care actually starts during pregnancy so it’s best to bring your pet to the vet to know how many puppies or kittens to expect and care for mama dog/cat even before their delivery. Plus, Royal Canin offers breed-specific, nutritionally complete food, so there’s usually no need for extra vitamins when you give RC to your pets.
Why the First Months Matter More Than We Realize
Unlike later life stages, the effects of this period are foundational—supporting health outcomes that become harder to shape as pets grow older. At the same time, conversations acknowledged the emotional reality of first-time pet ownership. Many pet parents enter this stage with high intent and deep care, but limited access to professional guidance. Early decisions—what to feed, when to visit the vet, and how to establish routines—are often made quickly, sometimes before veterinary relationships are established, and frequently influenced by informal advice rather than clear direction.
Rather than framing these moments as mistakes, Puppy & Kitten Con reframed early uncertainty as an opportunity for education and partnership—highlighting that most care gaps stem not from neglect, but from a lack of timely, reassuring guidance when decisions matter most.
“Our goal is to meet pet parents at the very start of their journey, when questions are plentiful and confidence is still forming,” said Mr. Gerard Poa, Market Head of Royal Canin Philippines. “The first months of a puppy or kitten’s life shape long-term health and well-being. By providing clear, science-based guidance early on, we help families feel supported and empowered—setting pets up for healthier lives ahead.”
By translating complex nutrition science into practical, everyday guidance, experts showed how science can simplify early decisions rather than overwhelm pet parents. The focus was on helping families understand why early care choices matter—building confidence, encouraging early dialogue with trusted
partners, and fostering healthy habits from the beginning.
During the event, we also met the sweetest adoptables, Bella and Liam, together with the amazing team from Biyaya Animal Care! Message them if you are interested to adopt one of their 2000+ rescues: @adopt.biyaya
Through initiatives like Puppy & Kitten Con and ongoing Start of Life education, Royal Canin remains dedicated to empowering Filipino pet families—not just at key moments, but throughout their lifelong journey together.
Sign up now for more expert advice on pet care and nutrition, families are invited to join the Royal Canin Club through this link: https://bit.ly/RCCPH, or visit Royal Canin’s official website and social channels.
Last Updated on 3 hours by Carizza
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