Beyond the glitz and glamour of being an actress, Liza Soberano is a dedicated fur parent to her dog Yuna.
And a picky one at that.
Fully aware that what pets eat significantly affects their overall health—from their coat’s shine to their energy levels—Liza has been careful about the food she gives to Yuna.
And according to Liza, selecting the right pet food requires both patience and a keen eye for quality ingredients.
“First and foremost, it has to taste good because Yuna is very picky. Like, I’ve tried so many different treats and everything, she doesn’t eat everything. So, first, it has to actually taste good,” she said during the PEP interview.
She would carefully read labels to ensure that, beyond taste, no preservatives or fillers were added.
She stressed the importance of transparency in pet food products, advocating for brands that use natural, wholesome ingredients.
“You wanna make sure that everything is made from pure quality ingredients so that your fur baby doesn’t eventually get kidney problems, liver problems, skin problems even,” Liza said.
Finding the right nutrition for Yuna had not been easy.
It was a long process of trial and error, involving various brands and home-cooked meals before finding a suitable balance.
“Honestly, the first, maybe even three years of her life, like I really couldn’t find anything that she completely agreed with.”
“I tried so many different brands, so many different types of home-cooked meals, but she usually gets sawa or she just doesn’t like it from the get-go,” Liza recalled.
She also noticed that Yuna’s dietary preferences would frequently change, making the search even more challenging.
She eventually found that Yuna preferred a mix of kibble and soft food.
This method ensured a balance of texture and nutrition, keeping Yuna both satisfied and healthy.
“I noticed she likes a combination of like soft food and crunchy, which is why I combined kibble and soft food,” she explained.
LIZA SOBERANO's MORNING ROUTINE FOR A HAPPY PUP
Sharing one of her non-negotiable pet care habits, Liza recommended, “Walking them first thing in the morning.
"At least forty-five minutes to an hour... especially for Yuna, she’s a big dog, and I advise this for any big dog.
“You wanna let them burst all of their energy first thing in the morning so that they don’t have pent-up energy throughout the day.”
Without proper exercise, she warned that dogs might develop destructive behaviors.
“Otherwise, they’re going to start biting things, eating things that they shouldn’t be eating, like running around, zoomies, and everything.”
ADVICE FOR FELLOW FUR PARENTS
For Liza, responsible pet ownership goes beyond providing food and shelter—it’s about making informed decisions.
“My message would be to really educate yourself and do your own research. And like, really start reading the label for all the products that you use, feed, or even put on your pet.”
She likened pet care to parenting, emphasizing that fur babies deserve the same level of quality and attention.
“Just like with your real baby or with your own child, you wanna give them quality food and quality supplements to make sure that they live a good life—a good healthy life.”
“It’s the same thing with dogs, and you have to remember, our dog’s lives are much more limited than human life, so we only have a few years to be with them and you wanna maximize that as much as possible.”
This interview took place at the grand launch of Revolutionary Pet Nutrition, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
The event hosted by Dr. Shiba, one of Southeast Asia’s leading pet wellness brands and of which Liza is brand ambassador, introduced Kind Kibble, a pet food product made with fresh beef and superfoods.
Gathered at the Willy Wonka-themed launch on February 6, 2025, at Japonesa, Poblacion, Makati, were Dr. Shiba’s founders, veterinary experts, and various pet parents.
It aimed to highlight the importance of transparent and nutritious pet food solutions, aligning well with Liza’s philosophy on pet care.
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