Keeping your pooch healthy is a constant concern of every pet parent. Team Buddy Life in a lengthy talk with Sameer Satpathy, Divisional Chief Executive, Personal Care Products Business, ITC Limited. Sameer is an avid animal lover with two puppers at home who keep him busy and well entertained when he is back from work.
Have you always had a pup at home? were you raised in a family of animal lovers?
Yes. We always had dogs while growing up. We also had fish, rabbits and a tortoise at various points of time!
What are your earliest memories of having a pooch around?
some of the fondest memories were playing with my dog, Timmy, in our lawn, chasing it around while growing up. Timmy also used to drop me to school and find his way back home every day. Those days we never put them on a leash.
How and when did you get your present fur baby home?
We got shiro home during the pandemic. animals, especially dogs are always a source of joy and happiness. In covid times, they helped cheer up the family, especially my girls.
In your busy schedule, do you get the time to groom or bathe your pupper or the children are more happy doing it? what part do you play in their grooming?
When you bring a pet into your home, they become a part of your family and deserve your time and attention however, balancing a busy schedule along with being a pet parent can be quite challenging. My family really does take up a lot of the hard work, with supervising their overall well-being.
While my children absolutely love taking care of shiro and nugget’s grooming needs, I try to make some time to participate actively in this process on weekends. These moments are precious and allow me to connect with shiro and nugget often.
Are they allowed on the couch and most importantly, the bed? does your pooch sleep in your room or in the kids’ room?
When my daughters are in town, shiro and nugget sleep in their room, otherwise they sleep in my bedroom.
How do you balance the need for a clean home while ensuring the products used don’t adversely affect your pet’s health?
As pet parents, we take care of our pets needs when it comes to food, nutrition, fitness, etc., but one thing that often gets missed is the need to ensure a safe and clean home for them to live in. I am extremely discerning while selecting any products we use for shiro and nugget, or for home cleaning. Pets, like children spend majority of their time on floors. safety begins here.
If we look at the home cleaning category, there are not too many pet safe cleaners in the market, that are accessible to the general public as well. Which is why we developed ITc nimyle; a pet-friendly floor cleaner made with neem. nimyle is a neem-based floor cleaner which delivers 100% natural action* with 99.9% germ protection*. It is free of chlorine, bleach, sulphates, phosphates and quats and it also does not leave behind any chemical residue^, making floors safe for pets. nimyle’s formula is readily biodegradable** as well.
I also ensure that any cleaning and grooming products are stored safely out of shiro and nugget’s reach. Furthermore, we maintain a regular cleaning schedule to keep our home hygienic and safe, and our pets well-groomed and comfortable.
As someone who understands the importance of maintaining a safe environment for pets, what advice would you offer pet parents when it comes to their daily cleaning routines? how can products like itc nimyle play a role in ensuring a balance between hygiene and pet safety?
Pets are like children, they have special needs and requirements. They bring us so much joy and happiness which is why we need to be careful about the products we use for them. This is where nimyle comes in.
Keeping a safe and clean home environment is where this care begins. Floor cleaners play a crucial role in home care especially for homes with pets as most of their time is spent on the floors. shiro and nugget enjoy their zoomies and playtime on the floors and that is why I use neem based, nimyle for cleaning our house. neem has been a centuries old ingredient, a natural anti-bacterial, and its use in home care has been credited through the ages.
The idea was to create a high quality, pet-friendly solution, which is also accessible and available to consumers at a large scale, solving their purpose. nimyle’s 100% natural action* and no chemical residue^ properties make it a pet-friendly solution.
As a pet magazine, our readers are always looking for products that ensure their pets’ safety. since we are talking about itc nimyle —could you elaborate on what makes it a standout choice for pet-friendly households? What aspects of its safety and efficacy do you believe make it particularly ideal for pet owners?
Every pet home needs pet-friendly products. With rising awareness about this among pet parents, the need for natural and safe products is also increasing. We have tested nimyle rigorously with our R&D to be able to deliver a product that leaves no chemical residue^ behind and also protects with its 100% natural anti-microbial action*, making floors safe for pets.
Where do you draw the line when it comes to pampering them with treats? what is their favourite food and treat?
Pampering shiro and nugget with their favourite treats is always a joy, especially. While I love to spoil them occasionally, I’m mindful of not overdoing it. Treats are usually given when we are training them.
Both shiro and nugget are quite the foodies and we usually feed them home cooked meals – chicken and rice or dahi chawal. shiro, has recently taken a fondness of munching on some of the garden plants. He’s the only dog I have seen who enjoys them so much! as for nugget, loves small training treats, which are perfect for rewarding him during our training sessions.
Do you play with your fur baby? what is his/her favourite game?
Both my dogs are quite playful. I do enjoy spending time and playing with them regularly and taking them for walks in the garden. Every day, shiro and nugget wait eagerly for me to come back home from work. They seem to know exactly when I’ll arrive, and without fail, they’ll be waiting near the door with their tails wagging.
It’s a joy to come home to such playful dogs. Their energy is contagious, and it’s great to end a day with them next to my bed. Their favourite game is definitely fetch—they never seem to get tired of chasing after a ball. But honestly, they’ll go after just about anything that moves! Whether it’s a leaf blowing in the wind or a random object they find, their enthusiasm for chasing and exploring is endless, especially on our walks along the garden under our home.
Have you ever taken your fur baby for vacations with you? if yes, how was the experience?
No, not yet.
Who is your pet’s favourite person in the family?
It would have to be my daughters. shiro has spent a good amount of time with both my girls and nugget was just adopted by my younger one as a pal for shiro since she was off to university. So yes, the kids are definitely their favourites.
Have you ever adopted or supported a rescue or homeless pup?
Yes, we have! We brought home nugget, our Indie a few months ago and adopting him has been one of the most heart-warming decisions we’ve ever made. It was actually my daughter’s idea. When he first came home, she was a shy, uncertain little pup, but with time, love, and patience, she’s blossomed into a fun and affectionate companion we adore today. What’s been even more beautiful to witness is the bond he’s formed with shiro. From the moment they met, it was clear that shiro had found his buddy. Even though shiro is older, the tough guy in him comes out now and then as Nugget annoys him with his antics! They’re always goofing around, chasing each other, and occasionally getting into little “siblings” fights.
Do you see yourself as an animal lover? have you ever come up for animals that need to be adopted or spoken of animal rights?
Yes, I have grown up with animals around. They bring so much love and affection into our lives, having them around is truly a joy. My second dog, nugget is an adopted pup. We got her from a shelter a few months ago, and she has been with us ever since.
What’s that one quality that makes a pupper so endearing to you?
A dog’s capacity to love unconditionally is truly remarkable. no matter how your day has been, they are always there to greet you with a wagging tail and a cheerful demeanor. They don’t judge or hold grudges; they simply offer their unwavering companionship and affection. Both our dogs embody this trait beautifully. Their constant companionship and endless affection have brought immeasurable joy and comfort to our lives, especially with my daughters.
Who looks after your pooch when he/she falls ill?
Any favorite vet? Pets are like any other member of the family, and my two dogs keep us all on our feet. Whenever they’re ill, the whole family comes together to take care of them.
There are many stray dogs and cows roaming the streets. do you think the public and the government should consider building a shelter for these creatures in the near future?
As a society, we have a collective responsibility towards the welfare of these creatures who often face harsh living conditions on the streets. shelters could improve their quality of life by providing them with basic necessities such as food and medical care. However, it’s also important to maintain such places and ensure that they are run ethically and compassionately.
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