Mall Etiquette Guide for New Fur Parents

Here’s a short etiquette guide for fur parents who are just raring to bring their furbabies to the mall

Most families live in condos nowadays, which don’t give the beloved furbabies much space to run around. It’s why most malls started becoming pet-friendly. With millennials enjoying the furparent life (because kids— for many millennials—are just exotic pets that require special licenses), they’re always looking for spaces that are more pet-friendly. But to make that happen, they have to show what it means to be one.

So, when bringing the furbaby or our pets to the mall, here’s a short etiquette guide to refer to:

Always keep them in a diaper

Some furbabies, when they get nervous, tend to wet themselves. Making our furbaby wear a diaper ensures the mall stays clean and respects other mallgoers by not stinking up the place. Besides, even though the mall has janitors to clean up, let’s try to make their lives easier by not making mop-up pee.

Some of the more popular brands for pet diapers include Dono, Callie, and Dapanda. But if these are too hard to find, some pet parents swear by using Huggies baby diapers instead.

Bring both a stroller and a leash

Unless the dog is large enough for a toddler to ride, most furparents would bring both a stroller and a leash. The stroller helps make the noisy environment less stressful—it’s like bringing a piece of home with them. The leash keeps them in check, especially if they’re runners and like chasing things.

Some furparents, especially those who own cats, are no strangers to the “escape artist” tactics. Since most equipment is made for dogs, the felines can wriggle their way out which is why they bring both a stroller and a leash.

Make sure to have your pet microchipped or registered

While most ethical breeders would have their pets microchipped, those who adopt furbabies can still avail themselves of the service in certain veterinary clinics.

Having our furbabies registered is not just for our peace of mind; it’s also for others. Sometimes, things can get a little hairy. They get agitated, so they bite or scratch. The encouraged registration, stated in both the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (RA 9482) and the Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485 for the 1998 version, which was amended by the more recent RA 10631), is part of a furbaby’s mandated care.

Know you have a time limit

Some furbabies are outgoing, but some are not. Some furparents get their furbabies accustomed when they’re young, so they can stay out for longer. However, they’re like toddlers or babies: they have a time limit. Besides, malls still don’t have the facilities to accommodate pet-centric needs. Pet shops may be there, but not all of them have space.

While some dogs love the energy, cats do not. Dogs will slump over and sleep when they’re tired. Cats will express their discomfort by breathing heavily.

If eating in a restaurant, eat in the outdoor dining area

If we bring our furbabies, then we’ll be bringing a lot of stuff. Human babies can just sit in their stroller and be done with it. Some furbabies don’t do strollers and would prefer the floor. The problem is that with waiters bussing tables and serving food, we can potentially trip them, and nobody likes getting hurt by freshly cooked food.

Besides, not every family is fond of pets. Some have allergies, others have phobias due to past animal attacks or just being raised that way. So, spare ourselves the drama and just have a quiet dinner at the al fresco area or the outdoor area.

Do not have your furbaby engage the service animals

Some furbabies play bigger roles, especially if their furparent has a certain condition or is part of a service. Unlike our furbabies, who have been sheltered by our love, others have been trained to serve and protect. K9 units are trained specifically for that. While we know they have handlers to take care of them, they’re on duty so—just let them do their job.

For many millennials or couples who have tried, furbabies are their kids

Kids are nice to have, but some just don’t see themselves raising another human or just can’t. For those millennials who are deeply aware of the responsibilities that come with it, they’d rather not. They’ll respect a child; play with them, be patient with them, and the like—but raising one is an entirely different story.

There are also those who have tried have kids. But the fertility treatments still cost money, and it’s not 100% success. A couple can only take so much heartbreak from trying to have kids over and over. After a while, their love goes to the furbabies.

To the many new furparents, congratulations and good luck! It’s 10-15 years’ worth of unconditional love.

More about furbabies and furparenting?

Tips for Moving Into New Home
Cat-ifying Your Home: Things Your New Feline Furbaby Needs
What Parents Can Do if Their Kids Ask for a Pet?